The Washington times., 1905-10-29

arrest me your hand wouldn't make
the move.''
Il haven't been dollar ahead of
the game since you loaned me the
money" said the detective. "I'll pay
you yet, some day
What a night that wasi'' said
Herman. do you remember? The
snow was an inch thick on your
shoulders when you came into my
place and told me what you were up
against 1 hadn't laid down the cards
Tor the Jimmy then. My gambling
house was doing fairly we'll, and
when YOU spelled your hard-luck
story, what did l do?'
Il haven't forgotten said Woods.
You counted out twenty fifties and
went on with your deal I'll pay it
back some day. That thousand saved
me and-well, they were piling my
furniture out on the sidewalk when
| got back to the house"
And So" continued Herman, You
being Barney Woods, born as true
as steel, and bound to play white
mans game, can't lift a finger to ar
rest the man you're indebted to. Oh,
/ have to study men as well as Yale
locks and window fastenings in my
business. Now, keep quiet while 1
ring for the waiter. I've had a thirst
for year or two that worries me
little. If I'm ever caught the lucky
sleuth will have to divide honors
with old boy Booze. But I never
drink during business hours. After
job l can crook elbows with my
old friend Barney with clear con-
science. What are you taking?"
The waiter came with the little
decanters and the siphon, and left
them alone again.
You've called the turn" said
Woods, as he rolled the little gold
pencil about with thoughtful fore
finger. Eve got to pass you up. I
can't lay hand on you. If I'd a
paid that money back-but didn't,
and that settles it. It's bad break
I'm making, Johnny, but can't
dodge it. You helped me once, and
it calls for the same"
Il knew it," said Herman, raising
his glass, with flushed smile of
self-appreciation. ''I can Judge men.
Here to Barney, for-'he's a jolly
good fellow"
Il don't believe" went on Woods,
as If he were thinking aloud, that
If accounts had been square between
you and me all the money in all the
banks of New York could have
bought you out of my hands to-
night"
Il know II couldn't" said Herman.
That's why / knew l was safe with
YOU
Most people," continued the de-
tective, look sideways at business.
They don't class it among the fine
arts and the professions that are
tied up with pink bows and smell of
patchouli. But I've always taken
kind of fool pride In 1t. And here
is where go busted 1 guess I'm
man first and detective afterward.
I've got to let you go, and then I've
got to resign from the force guess
/ can drive an express wagon. Your
Thousand dollars is further off than
ever, Johnny"
oh, you're welcome to it," said
Herman, with loudly air. "Id be
willing to call the debt off, but
know you wouldn't have 1t. 1t was
lucky day for me when you bor-
rowed 1t. And now, let's drop the
subject. I'm or 10 the West on
morning train. I know a place out
there where l can negotiate the Nor
cross sparks. Drink up, Barney, and
forget your troubles. Well have
jolly time tonight while the police
are knocking their heads together
over the case. I've got one of my
Sahara thirsts on tonight. But I'm
In the hands-the unofficial hands
OF my old friend Barney, and l won't
even dream of cop"
And then, as Kernan's ready finger
kept the button and the waiter work.
ing, his weak point--a tremendous
vanity and arrogant egotism /began
to show itself. He recounted story
after story of his successful plunder-
ings, ingenious plots and infamous
transgressions until Woods, with all
his familiarity with evil-doers, felt
growing within him a cold abhor-
renee toward the utterly vicious man
who had once been his benefactor.
I'm disposed of, OF course" said
Woods, at length, "but / advise you
10 keep under cover for spell. The
newspapers may take up this Nor
cross affair. There has been an epi-
10. 81 H,,.-