The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-03-18

Dor anywhere for fear of the infec-
ton
The Colonefs face heightened in
dismay. This, he thought, was the
last blow of his malignant Fortune
IT shall have to go to Portsmouth,
then" he announced gloomily- God
knows how I shall get there"
Eye never will. For Portsmouth
won't have We, nor any other town in
England neither, coming as We do
from London. 1 tell you, sir, the
country's all crazed with fear of the
plague"
But I've a certificate of health"
"Ye'd need to have it backed by a
minister of state or ever Portsmouth
would let you inside her gates"
Holes looked at him blankly for d
moment, then expressed his bitter
ness in a laugh.
In that case I don't know what re-
mains"
why, We say ye're a safe man.
Yen not have seen His Grace of AL
bemarle's proclamation asking for
safe menu"
Asking for safe men? To what
end?"
Nay, tAe proclamation don't say.
Yell find mat out in Whitehall, may
be- Things being like this with you,
now, We might think it is worth while
to ask. 1t might be something for We,
for the present at least"
HOLES rose. whatever it may be,
when a man is faced with starvation
he had best realize that pride won't
I'LL an empty belly"
NO more it WILL" Banks agreed,
cycling the Coloners uncouth gar
ments. But If ye're thinking OF
paying a visit to Whitehall ye'd be
wise to put on your other suit that's
above-stairs. Yen never get past the
lackeysin that livery"
So you see issuing presently from
the sign Of The Harp a Colonel HOLES
very different from the Colonel Holes
who had entered it an hour earlier.
In a dark blue suit Of camlet enliv-
cned by little gold lace. black Span
ish boots, and a black beaver set off
by a heavy plume of royal blue. with
out a sword. it is true, but swinging
a long cane. he presented a figure
rarely seen just then IN London
streets.
The usher at the Cockpit who went
to announce him returned almost at
once to conduct him into that pleas
ant chamber overlooking the park
where His Grace of Albermarle acted
today as deputy for the pleasure?!ov-
ing nbertine prince who had for
7aken his stricken capital.
The Duke heaved himself up as the
Colonel entered.
so you've come at last. Randall
was his astounding greeting. ION
my life, you've taken your own time
in answering my letter"
Your letter." said Holes. And
he stared blankly at the Duke. as he
clasped the proffered hand
/ MY letter, yes. You had it? The
letter that I sent you nigh upon a
month ago to the Paul's Head?"
Nay" said Holes. Il had no let
ter"
But Albermarle looked al
most as If he did not believe him.
The landlady there kept it for you.
She said, 1 think, that you were alb
sent at the time, but would be back
in day or two, and that you should
have the letter at once on your re-
turn"
"A month ago. did you say? But 1t
is two months and more since I left
the Paul's Head
What do you tell me? All. wait
My messenger shall speak for him
self on this" And he strobe away to
the bell-rope.
But Holes checked him.
Nay, nay" he cried with a WY
smile. There's not the need. I
think 1 understand. Your messenger
would, no doubt, announce whence he
came. and Mrs. Quinn. fearing that
the news might be to my advantage,
acted so as to prevent his making fur
Their search for me"
What's this?" The Dukes heavy
face empurpled. do you charge her
with suppressing a communication
from an office Of state? BY Heaven.
If she's still alive I'll have her eaoled
for it."
Let be- said Holes, Selling him
by the arm. Devil take the womanl
| Tell me Of the letter Yen never
mean that you had found employment
for me, after all?'
you seem incredulous, Randall?
Did you doubt my zeal for your"
'Oh, not your zeal. But tho pos.
sibility Of your helping one who was
in my case
Aye, aye. But as to that, why,
| Buckingham improved it when he
stood for your loyalty before the jus
tees. I heard Of that And when
| the chance came. the chance of this
Bombay command that already I had
earlier intended for you ="
THE Bombay commando" HOLES
began to wonder did he dream But
I thought that it had been required
by Buckingham for a friend of his
own"
"Sir Henry Stanhope, yes. So it
had, and Stanhope sailed for ne In
dies with the commission. But 1t
seems that when he did so he already
carrid the seeds Of the plague with.
in him For he died of It on the voy.
age. wrote to you at once asking
you to seek me here, and waited
fortnight to hear from you. AS you
made no sign, 1 concluded that either
you were stricken with the plague, or
no longer desired the office, and pro-
! ceeded to appoint another gentleman
Of promise"
Holes folded the pinions of his
soaring hopes and let himself fall