The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1906-11-19
cHAPTER n.

W5lIQl ulLu anu uuSJyg muSty OlQ
curio-shop, with stuffed peacocks
hanging from the ceiling, and skulls
and bronzes and marbles, paintings,
furnished Iewelry and ancient armor,
rare books Of vellum, small arms, tap
estry, pastimes, plaster masks, and
musical instruments. recalled to
mind the shop Of the dealer in an
tiquities in Balzac's La Peau de Cha
grin, and glanced about (not without
q shiver) for the fatal asss skin. q
forgot that / was wearing 1t myself
that nightl) l was something of
collector Of antiquities, of TIE mani
mate kind, and for time | became
lost in MISREPRESENTATION rath-
er agreeable of its kind. / liked to
conjure sp in fancy the various
scenes through which these curiosi-
ties had drifted in their descent to
this demi-pawnshop; 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 fan? What meant
that furnished silver mask?
The old French proprietor was evil
IDENTIFY all things from q pawnbroker
TO an art collector; for most Of the
1ewelTy was in excellent order and
tho pictures possessed value far be-
ing upon a customer, and the dingy
light that shone down on his bald
head made it look for all 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. It
beardless, energetic, but the mouth
impressed me as being rather hard
Doubtless he felt the magnetism of
my 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 be glad to make his
acquaintance. 1t was a scewl. He
was in evening dress, and I could
see that he knew very we'll how to
wear It. All this was but momentary.
He took up a revolver and balanced 1t
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?" asked.
Anything you like, sir, from a
crusader to modern gentleman, -
with grim and appropriate irony.
What is it you are in search Of
G masquerade costume?
"Only gray mask" answered.
ST am to go to a masked ball tonight
as a Gray Capuchin, and I want a
mask that win match my robe"
Your wants are simple
From a shelf he brought down q
box, took of the cover, and left me
to make my selection. Soon I found
what I desired, and laid it aside, wait
lag for NJ Friard to return Again
I observed the other customer
There is always a mystery to be
solved and a story to be told, when
g man makes the purchase Of a
pistol in q pawnshop. A man who
buys s 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, it
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 I want How much ?"
] inquired.
Fifty cents; it has never been
worn"
drew out my wallet. had ar
rived in town too late to so to the
bank. and was carrying an uncom-
fortably large sum IN gold bills. As
! opened the wallet to extract a small
bill. 1 saw the stranger eying me
quietly Well, well. the duIlest being
brightens at the sight OF money and
its representatives. I drew out a
small bill and handed 1t to the pro.
prietor He took it. together with
the lhdShs anu SA0iSQ OFCl W tue CdSA
register. The bell gave forth a NUT
fed sound, not unlike that Of fire.
bell In q snowstorm. AS he was
IN the act Of wrapping up my pur-
chase, / observed the silent custom
er's approach. When he reached my
side, he stopped and picked up sons
thing from the floor. With 3 bow,
he presented it to me.
Il saw it drop from your pocket, !"
he said; and then when he saw what
it was. his jaw fell, and he sent me
q hot. penetrating glance.
The ten Of hearts!" he exclaimed,
n amazement
] laughed easily
The ten of heartsi" he repeated.
Yes; four hearts on one side and
four on the other, and two in the
middle, which make ten in all. -
raillery in my tones. What the deuce
was the matter with everybody to-