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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (July 11, 1929)
THE COPPER HOUSE .4 Detective Story BY JULIUS REGIS AUTHOR OF “NO IS TORONI" ‘‘His name was Gabriel Na poleon Ortiz, and he was a re puted descendant Napoleon the Great; he had already been implicated in a formidable scandal in Paris, where he had attempted to organize a mon archist rising against the re public, in the hope of getting himself recognized as Napoleon IV. At that time he was oidy a youth of 19, and it was an easy matter to deport him to Brazil. But the lion’s claws were not drawn, and by de grees he gathered round him quite a number of adventurers, who aided and abetted him in bis far-reaching plans. One day, early in 1910, he steamed away up the River Amazon in his armored pleasure yacht, add disappeared into the in terior of Brazil. It was given out that he was subsidizing an expedition for scientific re search, but about six months later, the Brazilian government whs astounded to receive a highly imposing document, signed Gabriel Napoleon I, emperor of the Amazons, in which the new monarch stated that he had proclaimed himself emperor over the tracts of laud at the sources of the River Amazon, the country being rich amt extensive, but chiefly in habited by Indians. He de manded, first, official recogni tion by the Brazilian govern ment, secondly, free access to the River Amazon, and thirdly, an immediate and definite revi sion of boundary questions. At the same time, through the me dium of the South and Nortli American newspapers, lie iu vittd enterprising and ener getic people to settle as colon ists in his dominion, declared his intention of founding a cap ital, and purchased six liners for passenger traffic down the great river. Of course, the whole thing was impossible; nobody took the man seriously, and the papers treated the matter as a huge joke; it was altogether too far-fetched! Be fore many months had gone by, the emperor of the Amazons was taken into custody by Bra zilian troops; he was found at the head of an army of 28 men, which immediately took to flight. He was handed over to his relations, amongst whom was the famous aeroplane-con structor Ortiz; feeling rather crestfallen, he was obliged to consent to leave the country quietly, and nobody gave an other thought to the empire of the Amazons. “Emperor of the Amazons,” muttered B.22 with a laugh. “I do seem to have a hazy recol lection of it now. And so that man was Ortiz! I begin to un derstand ...” The journalist saw that his atory had made an impression, and he continued: “You will notice that this Brazilian mil lionaire-adventurer was not without certain elements of greatness. Such causes as his have prospered before now. It was only that he lived in an age when, under normal cir cumstances, adventures of that kind are absurd. Public opin ion is formed by the press, and the press laughed the Empire of the Amazons to scorn. Fif teen years earlier, the man might have suceeded, but, as it was, lie had learned a dearly bought lesson—till next time! He had not abandoned a single detail of his great project, but he could hide his time; he could go on with his prepara tions. The next act in the drama was played in New York. Ortiz proved himself a financial genius of the first or der. floated one gigantic spec ula! ion after another, with tru ly Napoleonic strategy, and was acclaimed before long as one of Wall Street’s brightest stars, or, more correctly, me teors. Finally, he ‘swung’ a ‘corner’ in coffee with un British Bid for Market In Spain at Barcelona LONDON—<AP) —Britain will make a strong bid for trade in Spain at the Barcelona Internation al exhibition which the king of Spain will open on May 19. Of ficials at the London headquarters of the exhibition say that British firms are fully alive to the pos sibilities. * British displays at P'Vcalona will include artificial silk, clne matroaraoli machines, gramophones. I scrupulous skill, increased his already colossal tenfold, and gained the nickname of ‘The Coffee King.’ The Emperor of the Amazons had become a cof fee kiug! At any rate, you can see what he was smiling at. As ‘emperor’ he hail brought imprisonment on at most 40 persons; as ‘king’ he had ru ined thousands. Hie power for evil had increased, but it was not yet fully developed, and the great opportunity was still to come. He does not ad vance step by step, like other men. No, his ambition de mands constant movement, cul minating in some tremendous display of strength. His motto is: ‘Better a grand catastrophe than a meager victory.’ Laws do not exist for a man with such ideas, and what can Hiose persons expect who are bold enough to follow him as assis tants or subordinates, but a prison cell, or something even worse, for their pains?’’ B.22 was listening as though he had been hypnotized, and Wallion went on: ‘After his :coup’ on the coffee market, Gabriel Ortiz disappeared from New York. He realized his assets, and was seen no more in Walt Street. He hail at tained his primary aim, and provided himself with the means of carrying out even the wildest and most ambitious of his dreams. The episode in the Amazons had taught him experience: in New York he had acquired millions. He was no v fully equipped, and only waited for a favorable oppor tunity. In August, 1914, the great war broke out.” The journalist sat silent and thoughtful for a little while. Then lie continued: ‘‘It is hor rible to think that a Brazilian freebooter should find the great chance of his lifetime in the grimmest tragedy that has ever befallen the human race. It is true that in this war, as never before, there have been openings for adventurers who are ready to sell their swords or their skill to the highest bid der. Within the war-area, where, as in an earthquake, all the powers of darkness rise to the surface, Ortiz found the de sired field of operations, where he might sow his millions, and reap an abundant harvest of power. After due calculation, he fixed upon Russia as his ob jective. and Stockholm as his starting point. How long have you been in his service?” “Since October, 1915.” “Nearly from the beginning, then. 1 can tell by your ac cent that you are a Finn. I suppose they made you believe that you would be working for the liberty of Finland?” “That was so,” said B.22 in a low voice. “J)n you still think so, now that Finland is really free, in consequence of the March rev olution? Was that Ortiz’ work ? ’ ’ The man crimsoned with rage and shame. He struck his hand on the table, and said: “No, since I got to know the contents of the Tarrasehin doc ument, I can see that Ortiz is neither working for freedom nor for the Tsar; he thinks only of himself.” “Exactly,” said Wallion, coldly, “and you should have realized that long ago.” “How could I?” replied B.22 piteously; “I knew nothing of liim, until you told me all this. What shall' 1 do?” “Don’t take it so hard. You have been too easily tempted by the thought of quickly earned money, that s all, and now you're in a fix. You have n’t told me yet what happened in the boarding house.” “I had only just got there,” saitl B.22 excitedly, “when I heard the telephone ring. One ; of the Russians answered it, I office fittings, optical instruments, motors, Industrial machinery and textiles. Birmingham and Coven try will be strongly represented In the motor section and Bradford, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffeld and Doncaster in the textile, steel, and machinery sections. “Up to the present, United States j firms have scored by enterprising methods of salesmanship,” said an official at London headquarters of the exhibition, “but there is al ways a demand for British goods, which are recognised as of the and 1 was in the room along side. I guessed that Rastakov • had rung up, and I heard the Russian say: ‘\\s, he lias just come in.' They were speaking about me, and 1 was alarmed to hear the man say: ‘We had better shadow him; it would be easier to get rid of him in Finland than here. Yes, w'e will keep an eye on him; if he gives any trouble, we will find a way whieli won’t attract at tention. No, he hasn’t spoken to anyone yet . . . ' Then I was sure that my fate was sealed, and at first I felt para lyzed with fear, but I knew that they would be after ine in a few seconds, and, without even stopping to get my knap sack, I crept downstairs, and out or the house . . . Wallion could not help pity ing the poor fellow, who looked like a man sentenced to death, and could hardly speak coher ently. ‘‘Was that all?” he asked. “It was quite enough for me; they mean to do something dreadful.... I am not 1he first } y • • • • “I know. I will help you on one condition: has our conver sation convinced you how nec essary it is for you to tell me honestly and openly everything that may lead to the annihila tion of Ortiz and his gang?” “Yes, ves, only tell me what I can do..” “You won’t only think of saving your own skin? You promise to help me to the best of your ability?” “Yes, yes, that’s just what I want to do; only save me!” The man’s sincerity was un doubted; Wallion\s earnestness had entirely conquered his fee ble will. lie gazed at the journalist with doglike sub mission, whilst the latter wrote a few lines, and his address, on a card. “Take this,” he said, “go straight to my house in the Valhalla Road, and hand the card to my housekeeper. Stay there till I come, dust wait a minute, while I telephone to her.” B.22 seized the card with an audible sigh of relief and grati tude. The journalist went into the outer room, and rang up his house. The housekeeper answered, and he informed her briefly what she was to do with B.22, and what further precautions he must observe. Then, after a little considera tion. he rang up the offices of the Daily (’ourier, and asked for Robert Lang, who came at once to the telephone. “Has anyone been to ask for me? said Wallion. “What? Leonard Grath? He's just gone? What a nuisance, I wanted particu larly to see him. Don’t you know where lie has gone? He really is far too headstrong to be allowed to go off by him self, you should have kept him. No, 1 can’t come up at present, I must go and see what the baron and Tassler are up to, but I want you to come at once to Tegner street, and find out what is going on at the board ing lions,■ there, if you cai< It is probable that we shall soon have to give official informa tion to the police: we ought to have sufficient proof in our hands in a few hours’ time. Look here: before you leave the office, arrange for some body trustworthy—say, Steno Beyler— to receive a young man named Bernard Jenin, who may turn up there in the course of the day, and not lot him out of his sight before I have had a word with him. Yes, that’s all, I can tell you more later; I’ve a big job on hand at present. ...” He put down the receiver, and returned to the other room but he stopped short on the threshold: B.22 had disap peared. A door leading to the passage stood open, and on the table lay a paper, with a few hurried lines scrawled upon it. Wallion snatched it up, and ran into the passage. After glancing into the garden, which was surrounded hv a high wall, he went out into the street, but B.2‘2 was nowhere to be seen. Feeling very anxious, the journalist read what was written on the paper: ‘1 must go. One of them is outside in highest quality. We Intend to give Spain what it wants. “Extensive schemes are being undertaken in Spain for the devel opment of railways, irrigation, hy draulic a^d electrical power, har bors. docks, and highways. We have unexcelled goods to meet these needs. “The Barcelona exhibition will afford a wonderful opportunity, too, for British exhibitors to get in touch with South American mar kets.* Britain’s continental rivals have also take large areas in the ex the churchyard, and I am sure he has seen me at the window. If they get to know that I have anything to do with you, they will shoot me in the street. Ex pect me early—about 7—to morrow morning.” The journalist crumpled up the paper and put it in his pocket, after which he lighted a cigaret. Not a single person was visible in the whole length of the silent street. CHAPTER TV. Leonard Orath Acts on His Own Responsibility, and Meets with a Girl Who Runs Away from Him Leo left the problem-hunt or's room like a man in a dream. It did not oceur to him to wait for Robert Lang’s return, but when he got out into the street, lie found him self still holding the photo graph iu his Land. Ought he not to put it back on Wallion’s table! He looked hesitatingly at it: “Sonia Bernin, the Cop per House.’’ he read once more. “So that's Andrei Herrin’s daughter. Well, there hasn’t been such a beautiful girl in the Copper House these last 50 years!’’ There spoke the art ist; an ordinary man would perhaps have called the girl striking, but certainly not beautiful. Her face was not oval, but rather of an aquiline type; her mouth was no Cu pid's bow, hut boyishly firm, above a self-willed chin. 3ut the large, dark eyes beneath their blaek, wing-like brows, had a mysterious attraction for him—it seemed as though they were calling to him, and the artist in him listened — who knows, perhaps the man also! Burchardt’s story, Wallion’s warnings, vanished in a mo ment from Leo’s mind. He put the photograph into his pocket and made his way to the gen eral station, where he went up to the booking office, and de manded: “A single to Kark bv.” A philosopher could no doubt draw many ingenious de ductions from this simple ac tion, knowing that it was to influence his future to an ex traordinary degree. But Leo, who was anything hut a phil osopher, did not give the mat ter a thought, and, having re ceived a scrap of brown paste board in exchange for a few silver coins, he made his way past all obstructions to the platform, where the train for Nynas stood blowing off steam. He studied with a critical eye the effect of the sun shining through the puffs of steam, and made a mental note of the colors, “Pink and silver in the sunlight, violet in the shade.” 1 With that, he got into the train. He had chosen the last compartment, which was still quite empty, hut a minute later one other passenger entered, and sat quietly down opposite. He was a young or middleaged man, in a threadbare overcoat; tired face was pale, almost grayish, the eyes encircled witii innumerable tiny wrin kles; the neat leathern at tache-ease which he carried in his hand semed to cause him some anxiety, for he evidently debated with himself whether lie should put it up in the rack, then east an uneasy glance at Leo, and finally decided to keep it on his knee. Loo’s amused expression appeared to embarrass the man, for he stared straight in front of him, with that air of constraint which betrays that one feds oneself under observation. At the same time, lie seemed to he listening for something out side. and Leo heard him givp a little sigh of relief when the train gave a sudden jerk, and steamed out of the station, with rapidly increasing speed. They were alone in the car riage, that is. in their halt ol it. for it was divided into two sections with a gangway be tween. Tipo’s thoughts began to wander, lie felt curious and rather excited at the thought of what he should find when he arrived at the Copper House. (TO B*' CONTINUED) ---»»■■■• - ■— WE MODERNS From Voo Doo. Collegiate version: “Come on kid, let's go places and insult people!” hibition. France has reserved spaoe of 20,000 meters, and Germany 14,000 meters. The English sectlee embraces 5,000 meters. —--—. -■ ■ KEPT THE BOYS \\f\Y VIENNA—A typist here recently sued her employer claiming that the confining work had ruined her eyes causing her to wear classes and for that reason caused her to miss sev eral chances at matrimony. The employer countered with the remark that the glasses had Improved her looks and had made her “Interert ln<*" The arirl lost, Uw auit * Grass-Hook Might Help to Mead Broken Heart "Germany paid llte Allies a Pillion • nd a hull marks In reparations lust year." Said Iteii-e-entmi'e Homer Hoeh. of Inuiis.f» ‘Tl*:ii> a lot ot money It's iim ney "a Ge/'inibjr run III spare. hn( In obi) s*n>pnrJkv that goes out to her In her bar# luek is like the feed n uri s. "A feed man went to n neighbor’s home one morning, knoeked. anil said: “‘Is Jake in?’ "'Goodness no!* said '..* Jake ’Haven't you heard'? Pool Julv passed out this morning at half past three. “•Well, well, well! That sure Is had news. Why. I didn't even know old Juke was sick ’ “ ‘It was very sudden. Very sud den, Indeed. •“Dear me! I can hardly hem It. I'm heartbroken, to tell you the truth. By the way. did .lake sav anything about that grass hook lie borrowed from me. before lie died?'"—Detroit free Press. -— Tb« Rsbel "Patient put out of hospital for re fusing to be weighed." reads a current news Item. “I got tired of being draggeJ out of bed." lie declared Tlr“d? Doesn’t lie mean welgliworn? —Fbrm and fireside. DR. 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