The Florence daily tribune., 1898-05-25


one of those enormous productions that
brings us here. In tho first place, Won
must know that on the third Saturday
IN this present month he has arranged
to produce the entirely new and original
drama, Saved by Woman's Pluck. ;
at the Royal Olympic theator, Man
chester. By the way. have you the pre-
liminary poster with you, Mr.. Stra.
gaus2''
In answer Mr.. Stragaus produced
from his bag the placard before describ-
ed and spread it upon the table, at the
same time looking at the coach builder
as II to demand his opinion ON such a
fine display of color
"You will observe, Mr.. Ebridge,u |
continued when tho other had read it,
'that the whole production will bo on
scale Of unparalleled splendor-polioe
bioodhounds, live horses and ono large
prison van, all on the stage. 1t will be
one OF the greatest successes Of the CEN
tury But we want your assistance. "
You mean, Of course, that you want
me to make you u van"
"Exactly."
"Just makcshift affair for tho stage,
presumeg"
"Oh, dear, mol That is not Mr. Stra.
gaus' way Of doing business Mt all. If
no has fire engine on the stage, rs he
had in his last production, it must be n
real engine, with every detail complete
and in proper working order. In the
same way then, when he orders police
van, he wants it made in every particu-
lar just as you would make il for her
majesty's government. There must be
no difference at all in any one respect,
neither the painting, lettering, nor the
internal fittings"
1t will cost you lot of money, Mr..
Stragaus, shid the builder.
Dot is no madder at all to me, - re-
Piled Mr. Stragaus pompously. II will
ave de ding berfeot or nod at all. Vot
is more, must ave it Mt once"
Mr.. Stragaus, may point ont to
you, Mr.. Ebridge, continued, sis in
very great hurry. There has been a
slight pushing forward of dates, and in
order to insure success he is willing to
pay you handsomely il you will COM
plete the work ira short space of time. -
How long can you give me, sir?''
A week exactly. Not day longer p
Impossible. 1t cannot be done!''
Den We must go elsewhere, mine
vriend, said Mr.. Stragaus. dot is all
Ii you will undertake to do de work and
to and me over dc van complete on
next Duesday evening at IL O'CLOCK, |
VIII pay you dwice do sum you ask me
now."
The man looked up in surprise at this
extraordinary offer and asked to be ex-
cused for moment while he consulted
with his foreman. While he was alb
sent, Walworth whispered
81 think he'll do it. And if we can
arrange it that way we shall be able to
get it safely up to the yard of the house
unobserved.
Here the coach builder returned.
My foreman tells me he thinks it
can be done. sir. But you must see that
it will mean night and day work for us
all. And the charge will have to be on
corresponding scale.'
"Dot is nodings to me- You do de
work, and will pay de money. You
agree? Den it is arranged / shall send
my men for de van ere ON Duesday
night at IL O'CLOCK, and you will ave it
| complete. Den ve can zend it on by
rail worst ding in de morning But,
| mind you dis if 1t is not done den
VIII not pay you Won farding. You
agree?"
II agree. have given you my prom
Use, Mr.. Stragaus, and whatever hap
pens it shall be completed by that
| time"
| Dot is goot. You might, too, ave a
tarbaulin to cover it nit, SO dat de pub
lick shall not see it ven We dake it away
Now. zir, wish you goot morning. You
will be paid for de van ven my men dake
delivery"
"Thank you, sir. Good morning gem
tlemen." 4"
| When we were once more in the cab
and on our way back to town, Wal
worth discarded his German accent and
resumfed his natural tongue
SO far SO good. That bit of business
is satisfactorily accomplished.
You did not say anything to him
about observing secrecy"
1t wasn't necessary. That poster,
which you will notice have left upon
his table, will account for everything -
But supposing the police get to hear
of 1t and it rouses their suspicions?"
well, let them get to hear of it..
II they suspect, they will call on Eb-
ridge and make inquiries. He will
then describe US and show the poster
They may then possibly telegraph to the
Olympic, Manchester, and learn that
Er. Stragaus has booked a season there
for his new play. That will put then
off the scent completely.
And what are we to do now2"
"Well, now, you had better, come t
breakfast with me, think. at my lodg
ings. You can there resume your owl
everyday appearance. During the morn
ing I am going to meet two men hay
in my mind for the policemen. after tina
shall visit tailor shop and order til