The Vestibule Limited Mystery — page 15: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

6 THE VESTIBULE LIMITED MYSTERY. “Ah! who brought it?” arousing myself, well knowing that this meant business. “Jackson, sir—he said as how it yes very im- portant, and I must get you up at once.’ “Confound Jackson,” I mutter, yawning, and then call out aloud, “slip it under the door, there’s a good woman, and have me a cup of coffee and an egg in five minutes, please. There’s no telling when I may get anything to eat if the colonel has any special business ahead.” | “Allright, sir. Hurry down,” calls the good old soul, and I hear her shuffling to the lower regions of the small house, at imminent risk to life and limb. The note that has been thrust under the door is speedily in my hands and opened. “Come to the office immediately. A big case de- mands attention. Minutes precious. AS” It is just like the colonel—brief and to the point, yet containing a promise of great things. The le- gions of sleep have been thoroughly routed, and I am wide awake now. With a rapidity acquired by long practice, I don my garments, dash some water into my face, and the stipulated five minutes have hardly passed ere I descend the stairs. Susan can be relied on every time, and I find my egos and coffee ready. Making a quick breakfast, I leave the house. The office being only a few blocks away, I find myself in the presence of my employer, Colonel Acton, at just twenty minutes after eight. He smiles upon seeing me, and rubs his hands in a way peculiar to himself when pleased. “Mr, Craig, how long will it take you to prepare for a journey?” he asks, com. comicbooks.