Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-01-20

Il NNA'o ~ Nha utlknOOTnOO0 OF
Barnes apartments, in Wash
A ington square, one crisp afternoon
uD@ in November, gave notice TO the
outside world that the veteran inspeotor
was at home. His friend Forward. the
chemist, was with him, and he sat in
sippered state discussing the value of red
blood corpuscles as evidence in murder
trials. The o,a man insisted. with much
vehemence that white blood corpuscles. II
properly proven, were more highly con-
vincing to the mind Of the average Jury
man than the red article. Clancy. of tho
sparkling eyes and the ever present smile.
listened with total lack OF understanding.
Indeed, he felt relieved when a maid en-
tered the room and handed the chief a
card Barnes puckered up his eyes and
held the pasteboard near the window In
order to read II.
Clarence Potter!" he exclaimed. finally.
why that's an old school chum 1 haven't
seen in twenty-five years. Tell him to come
UP at once"
In a short time the door opened and an
agreeable looking gentleman of middle
age entered The moment the old man
caught sight OF him he rushed across the
room and gave him a bearish hug. and fol-
lowed this unusual performance by taking
Doth OF his hands in his own and shaking
them with vigor and enthusiasm.
Hello. Garry. old boy" he cried,
many day has come and gone since
last set eyes on you. Where in the world
have you been keeping yourself. and why
haven't you ever come TO see me?"
IT'S your fault" replied the other re.
provingly. you know that when we
formed our Last Mans club begged YOU
to join. IT has been the connecting link
that has held us together for a quarter OF
century. There hasn't been a year that
we haven't met in friendly Intercourse.
Very true" answered Barnes noddinx
his head regretfully but you know I was
never OF convivial nature; I didn't go IN
Tor big dinners or anything of that kind
MY slippers cup Of coffee and a stogie,
and I'm the most agreeable man you'd
want to meet BY the way. have a cup Of
conee' No? Why. on cold day like this
dish of hot coffee is the acme of bliss
You'll have a stogie, I'm sure. thought
SO. Here's a match"
by the way" resumed Barnes, while
Potter was lighting his cigar, rs your
Last Mans club still in existence7'
Yes" said the other, with some agita-
ton. That's what I came to see YOU
about"
"oh'' laughed the chief "I'm too old
to Join anything of that kind now"
IT'S not that" retorted Potter hurriedly;
mo new men can come in. The covenant
prohibits additions. AS deaths occur the
club gradually ceases to exist. Tonight
am to entertain the club at my house, and
there are Just thirteen survivors"
Makes you feel creepy" suggested For
ward, hitherto silent.
Purely a coincidence" said Potter, ner-
~ xrhaA
about" he continued, turning to the chief
inspector, concerns both the customs and
the Last Mans club"
Mr. Forward. my friend, and Mr..
Clancy, my assistant, are both in my con-
hdence," said the old man. anticipating
the next remark OF his visitor. You may
speak with the greatest freedom"
My story can be told briefly" responded
4 Potter, sinking back into an easy chair
! and putting away at his stogfe. TT has
been customary at each OF our dinners to
present the members with some little
souvenir of the occasion. The character of
the keepsake has always been kept a secret
until 1t was presented to the member. This
year, when learned that l was to be the
host of the Last Mans club. I determined
TO give my associates a genuine surprise.
So sent abroad and ordered thirteen Hun
stones were ordered two months ago, they
did not arrive until today. / called at the
custom house, made the entry. paid the
duty and received the goods. I opened the
little case containing the gems and was
delighted with my purchase. When ex-
posed TO the sunlight numberless rainbow
tints flashed forth from a series of small
fakes. The reflection came from surfaces
or irregular dimensions. The goods were
imported from Kremnitz. and were ali that
could be desired
Now comes the queer part of the story.
On account OF some official red tape l was
not permitted to take the opals with me
Immediately, but was told to call for them
later in the day, At the hour designated
] was too busy to go. so l sent my conf
Dental clerk, Mr.. George West. He re-
ceipted for the stones and delivered them
at my residence. They were received there
by Mary Martin, an old family servant, and
she placed them on top of my desk In the
library. When reached home at o. clock
this afternoon the opals were gone"
"Gone?" echoed Barnes
YES, gone.1 repeated the other despond-
entity. "A most careful search has been
, made and have not been able to locate
them anywhere"
''But they had left the custody Of the Gus
toms?" suggested the inspector.
Apparently" replied Potter "Offioially
/ suppose you have no interest in the mat
ter. but I appeal to you on the score OF
old friendship TO help me find the opals."
''Well," sighed the chief looking at the
cosy ilre and then at his slippered feet,
'if you give me plenty Of time I may trace
them"
''Timer cried the other. exctedly. there
isn't minute to spare The dinner is set
for o'clock, The money loss is the least
part OF the AFFAIR. My wonderful souvenirs
are gone. The disappointment will be In
tense"
But surely the members are IN ignorance
OF the character OF the surprise you had in
store for them?'
Most OF them are" replied Potter, but
] let two OF the boys into my confidence.
Only this morning l met Charles Harvard,
the secretary CT the club and Howard
winchell. the treasurer, and told them what
] intended 10 spring on the boys But. OF
course. that has nothing to do with the
case"
Probably not" responded Barnes. but
IN order to work intelligently must know
the names CT all the persons who had any
knowledge of the opals"
"Ouite right" assented the agitated wish