The Washington times., 1905-04-09

tive cunning. Man has the one.
animals the other Some men
and women there are who have enough
of the animal about them to unite with
In themselves brains and cunning. They
contribute -argeiy to the belief in the
iIansmigration AMI evolution of souls.
Billy Hale was not one OF these, but he
had brains.
When he saw the fat millionaire dis
appear into the house in Seventh street,
he was wise enough net to make any
direct move tow 'rd this house. When d
body of conspiraiors assemblies, especial
ly old hands like Russian societies, and
New York nilhonaires, precautions are
usually taken to see that nc one follows
them.
So making a mental note of the house
and it's position. Hale turned and walked
in the opposite direction. He turned
again and entered an alley, which he
thought must lead past the back of the
house into which he wished to get.
The winter evening had already fallen.
When Billy was. as he thought directly
behind his house, he cautiously AMI
noiselessly climbed high fence which
fncIosed the back yard. He was, how
ever, little better off than he had been
before All the shutters on the ground
floor were closed tight, but through 4
chink in the shutter Of back window
or, the second story crept a narrow fare
of light showing that in spite of its
deserted appearance, someone was in
side the house There was an extension
on the first floor. the roof of which made
a balcony in front of the window with
the broken shutter. If he could but
reach this roof Billy thought he might
learn what was going Oh within.
A heavy vine of the Virginia creeper
variety grew UP the side Of the house.
Hundreds Of tendrils held its gnarled
stem fast to the brick wall. Billy select
ed it at once as a ladder. Slowly. so as
not to make any noise, he pulled his
hundred and eighty-odd pounds upward
getting a grip here and there with his
hands, knees and feet 1t was d tick
hsh climb. fall meant broken bones at
the least. On the roof at last, Billy lay
still for q moment TO get his wind. He
could see the street in front Of the house
from where he was. AS he lay breath
ing heavily, two men came out of the
dark, apparently making for the front
door. One Of them was very tall and
was almost positive that the former
was Rubinoef.
Cautiously Billy approached the
broken shutter and looked in. He was
startled TO see just the other side oc the
window pane the head of man. He
recognized it Immediately. It was the
head OF the fat millionaire. There were
four other men in the room. of whom he
recognized only one, the prince. Even
as he looked. however. the door opened
and in came Rubinoff and Paul In their
great coats. They did not take them
off In fact, all of the men in the room
kept their hats and coats on There was
no fire, except the candles which lighted
the room.
Billy pressed his head close to the
window and discovered that he could
hear what was said family but distinct
j.. The fat millionaire was talking.
Prince. unless l am much mistaken,
the United States will declare war with
Russia tomorrow. The big chief shot his
last bolt this afternoon. He may speak
again. but IT viii change no more votes.
On the other hand"-the millionaire Der
mitted smile to steal across his broad
countenance-'I know Of three votes
which change from peace TO war to-
night
You are great man. and / thank
you" said the prince.
mo thanks, prince, when we say we
will do thing in New York we usually
do IL Besides there is our little con-
tract with you gentlemen" and he shot
a quick glance at the Russian.
The latter made an impatient gesture
with his shoulders, Il am not likely to
forget it,
Jim Langhorne is no fool" went on
the New Yorker. How much he sus-
poets ] do not know. l do know how
ever, that he cabled Martin & Martin
II. the Philippine Islands 10 investigate