The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1906-11-21

for some time 1t is well to know
your topography. The door was at
the left Of the band platform. There
was a twin door on the other side.
We sat down.
Have you heard the news% I
asked.
mo. Has some one been discov-
cred making love to his own wife by
mistaken"
Its serious. Anne of Austria and
Queen Elizabeth have been robbed of
some jewels"
a thief among us?"
"a regular Galloping Dick. I'm a
thief, myself, for that matter"
Your" she drew away from me a
bit.
Yes. My name is Procrastination."
"Ah, my grave Capuchin, we do not
steal time; we merely waste it. But
is what you tell me true?"
Il am very sorry to say it is. The
jewels were worth something like ten
thousand dollars"
'Merciful heavens!"
1T is true, Internally true, look
ing around to see if by chance Caesar
had reappeared on the scene. (How
was l to manage my escape? 1t is
true might HE me to the cellars; but
how to get out of the cellarsD Have
you seen julius Caesar?" I asked.
Caesar"
Yes, Miss Hawthorne"
The Blue Domino swung about and
leaned toward me, her hands tense
upon the sides of her chair.
What name did you say?"-a
strained note in her voice.
Hawthorne" I answered, taking
out the slip of pasteboard. See! it
says that one blue domino was rented
of Monsieur Friard at fve-thirty this
afternoon"
How did you come by that ticket?"
she demanded.
1T was a miracle. I purchased
mask there, and this ticket was
wrapped up in my bundle by mistake
1T IS a curious coincidence, her
voice normal and unagitated.
I was confused Then I am mis-
taken?"-my chagrin evident (All
this while, mind you, I was wonder
ing if that cellar-door was unlocked,
and how long it would take me to
reach it before the denouementD
"One way or the other, it does not
matter" said she.
Yet, If l could reach the cellars"
-absently. Then I bit my tongue.
Cellars? Who said anything about
cellars? l meant that this is not the
nour Tor unmasklng or disclosing
ones identity, "-coldly.
And yet, when Caesar whispered
Beware the ten of hearts,, you turned
and shuddered. What have you to
offer in defense?"
1T was the horrid mask he wore"
We'll, 1t wasn't handsome of him."
What did you mean by cellars ~
suddenly becoming the inquisitor in
her turn.
q? Oh, I was thinking what
should do in case of fire" -nimbly.
THAT is not the truth
well, no, it isn't. Can you keep
secret?" l whispered
If it isn't a terrible one"
We'll, / have no earthly business
here. | am an impostor."
AN impostor!"
yes. And for the past few min
utes, since l heard of the robbery, I've
been thinking how I could get out of
here upon the slightest notice" While
the reckless spirit was upon me, pro-
duced the fatal card and showed the
back to her. You will find that yours
Is of a different color. But l am not
the Galloping Dick; it was only a
hare-brained lark on my part, and l
had no idea it would turn out serious
like this. was going to disappear
before they unmasked. What would
you advise me to DOR
She took the card, studied it, and
finally returned it. There followed an
| interval of silence
I have known the imposition from
the first" she said.
What"
| She touched the signet-ring on my
little finger. Il have seen that once
| before tonight. No" she unused, you
will not blow up the postofice tonight
nor the police station"
She lifted the corner of her mask,
and beheld the girl 1 had met in
| Mouquin's!
Your"
silence! So this is the meaning
of your shutting those cards? Oh, it
/ is certainly droll!" She laughed.
And are you Miss Hawthorne?",
81 am still in the mask, sir; I shall
answer none of your questions"
This is the finest romance in the
world" l cried.
You were talking about getting
out" she said Shall I lend you my
domino? But that would be useless.
Such a prestidigitator as Signor Fan
| toccini has only to say-PrestoI and
disappear at once"
Z assure you. it is no laughing mat.
ter"
81 see it from a different angle"