Gunnison news-champion., 1906-12-28
CHAPTER a.

GNHp tR w.
After tar an hours WANDERING
about : stumbled across cdrio-shop.
a Weird dim and dusty mHsty old
curio-shap. with stuffed peacOcks
hanging from the CeihnE and skulls
and bronzes and marbles. paintings
tarnishod ieWeiry and ancient armor.
rare books OF velum. small arms. tag.
estry. pastimcs. plaster masks and
musical Instruments recalled to
mind the shop Of the dealer in an
tiquities In Balzscs La Peau de Cha.
grin. and glanced about tnot without
a shiverl for the fatal asss skin. Il
forgot that ! was wearing IT myself
that night'D 7 Was something of a
collector of antiquities. of the mani
mate kind. aud for a time | became
lost in speculaticn-specul rath-
er agreeable of It's kind ! liked to
conIure up in fancy the various
scenes through which these curiosi-
ties had drifted in their descent To
this demi pa wnshop. the brave men
and beautiful women the clangor of
tocsins. the haze of battles. the glitter
Of ball rooms. epochs and ages What
romances lay behind yon satin slip
per? What grande dame had smiled
behind that ivory tan? What meant
that tarnished silver mask
The old French proprietor vas evi-
IDENTIFY all things from a pawnbroker
to an art collector. for most of the
jewelry was in excellent order and
the pictures possessed value far be-
yond the instrinsic He was wait
ing upon a customer and the dingy
light that shone down on his bald
head made II look for oil the world
like an ill-used billiard ball. He was
exhibiting revolvers.
From the shining metal of the
small arms, my glance Travelled TO
the face Of the prospective buyer. II
was an interesting face. clean-cut.
beardless. energetic, hut the mouth
impressed me as being rather hard.
Doubtless he felt the magnetism Of
nay scrutiny. for he suddenly looked
around. The expression on his face
was not one to induce me to throw
my arms around his neck and de-
clare I should he glad to make his
acquaintance. II was a scowl He
was in evening dress. and could
see that he knew very well how to
wear it, All this was but momentary.
He took up q revolver and balanced it
on his palm.
BY and by the proprietor came sid
ling along behind the cases, the slip
shod fashion of his approach inform
ing me that he wore slippers.
DO you keep costumes" Iasked.
Anything you like, sir. from
crusader to modern gentleman
with grim and appropriate irony.
What is it You are in search Of
a masquerade costume?'
Only a gray mask, | answered.
Il am to go to masked ball tonight
as Gray Capuchin. and l want a
mask that will match my robe"
Your wants are simple
From a shelf he brought down
box. took on the cover, and left me
to make my selection. Soon | found
what ! desired. and laid il aside. wait
ing for NJ. Friard to return. Again
observed the other customer.
There is always mystery to be
solved and story to be told. when
a man makes the purchase of a
pistol in a pawnshop man who
buys pistol for the sake of pro
lection does SO in the light of day.
and in the proper place. a gun-shop
He does not haunt the pawnbrokers
in the dusk of evening Well. il
was none of my business. Doubtless.
he knew what he was doing
caughed suggestively. and Friand
came slipping in my direction again.
This is what want. How much'"
! inquired.
Fifty cents; it has never been
worn.
| drew out my wallet. ! had ar
rived in town too late to 20 to the
bank. and ] was carrying an uncom-
fortably large sum in bills. As
| opened the wallet to extract q small
bill. l saw the stranger eying me
quietly. Well. well. the dullest being
brightens 1t the sight Of money and
its representatives. drew out .
small bill and handed II to the pro-
prietor. He took ii, totssfher with