Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1906-11-08
CHAPTER n,

CHAPTER u.
After half an hours wandering
about | stumbled across q curio-shop,
a weird, dim and dusty, musty old
curio-shop, with stuffed peacocks
hanging from the ceiling, and skulls
and bronzes and marbles, paintings.
furnished jewelry and ancient armor,
rare books OF veilum, small arms, tap
estry, pastimes, plaster masks, and
musical instruments. recalled to
mind the shop of the dealer in an
Equities in Balzac's La Peau de Cha
grin, and glanced about mot without
a shiver) for the fatal ASS skin. Il
forgot that l was wearing it myself
that nightD l was something Of a
collector of antiquities, of the mani.
mate kind, and for time became
lost in neutrality-suspicious. rath.
er agreeable Of its kind. | liked to
conjure up 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 evi.
IDENTIFY all things from a pawnbroker
to an art collector; for most of the
,u.oc In nxnnIIapt nrIar nd
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 it look for all the world
like an ill-used billiard ball lie was
exhibiting revolvers.
From the shining metal of the
small arms, my glance travelled to
the face of the prospective buyer. 1t
was an interesting face. clean-cut
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 10 throw
my arms around his neck and de.
clare | should be glad to make his
acquaintance. 1t was a scowl. He
was in evening dress. and I could
see that he knew very well how to
wear it. All this was hut momentary.
He took up revolver and balanced II
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 .
with grim and appropriate irony
What is It you are in search Of
a masquerade costume|
only a gray mask" ! answered
II am to 20 to a masked ball tonight
as a Gray Capuchin, and | want
mask that will match my robe"
Your wants are simple"
From a shelf he brought down a
box, took on the cover, and left me
to make my selection. Soon | found
what | desired, and laid it 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
. man makes the purchase OF
pistol in 4 pawnshop. A man who
buys a pistol for the sake OF pro-
lection does no in the light Of day,
and in the proper place, q gun-shop.
He does not haunt the pawnbrokers
In the dusk Of evening. Well, il
was none of my business. Doubtless,
he knew what no was doing. I
caughed suggestively, and Friand
came slipping In my direction again.
This is what want. How much?"
I inquired.
Fifty centA; II has never been
worn"
] drew out my wallet. had ar
rived In town too late to go to the !
bank, and was carrying an ancom- |
fortably large sum in goldbills AS
] opened the wallet to extract small |
bill, saw the stranger eying me |
quietly. Well. we'll, the dullest being
brightens at the sIght OF money and |
its representatives. | drew out q
small bill and handed 1t to the pro
prietor. He took IT, together with |
the mask, and sidlod over to the cash.
register, The bell gave forth a muf.
fed sound. not unlike that OF fire.
hell In a snOwst"rm. ~ he was |
IN the act OF wrapping up my pur.
chase, | observed the silent custom. |
er's approach. When he reached my !