Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-08

had more than earned it, and besides | was
mad.
Before had even got bite to eat l strobe
over to his quarters The fumes of that vile
mixture gave sure indication that he was in
SO | pushed aside curtain that hung at the
door and entered
He was standing, back to the fire, with his
head wreathed in a perfect cloud of smoky con-
tertment. Satisfaction sat all over him Then
he turned slightly and spied me.
Well, Standsh, old boy' he cried enthusi-
ast1cally coming over IN what was tor him ur-
heard of exuberance. "A gigantic success
Everything worked to nicely, and everybody
satisfied '"
" Everybody satisfied, eh?" l answered sar
castically
He seemed much surprised Why, what's
the troubled"
l emphasized my, reply Everybody may
Why, l don't understand he blurted.
He certainly was good actor. " Haven't you
got your money all right, and didn't the dinner
go off o X"
Granted said l; but after the dinner,
You never prepared me for that"
Pendleton looked at me hard. What the
deuce are you talking about"
Now. I'm actor enough myself to know the
tons surprise was genuine So | opened out
in full recountal of my kidnapping His inter
est was profound Only from time to time
would he interrupt me with questions.
When had finished he said, Concerning
all that little episode Standsh, | haven't any
Then he started. Wait! You say they barred
your fore ARM"
grpnted assent.
They, all looked like gentlemenf"
They. didn't rob your"
They spoke Italan,'
Some such lingo"
Pendleton smote his thigh Il have it!' he
cried. Things have really worked out better
than anyone could hope"
Look here PendletonP' said in an en-
phasis that told on him. . / We gone far enough
in the dark in this affair. want-some light.
Well =" said he, " for one thing. though I've
just learned it. you-have probably saved the
life of one Pedro Barberetti, operate singer.
WHO is he?' inquired.
a find from the other side" he eX-
planned. Marsh & Maxwell discovered him
and got him here last week; but Meeker
& Hanly were trying to steal him,-by that din
ner you ate last night, and an offer OF higher
salary"
" Hold on a minute, Pendeton,. said "a
little palmer, please.
Well that was, as you know of course. the
firm of Meeker & Hanly you dined with last
night You must have had your fun
Fun That haunting familiarity of
George Meeker's face struck me again
That was George Meeker and Frank Hanly
of the new operate comblnee
Exactly" said Pendleton Il sent you a
little earlier than the real Barberetti; and as
they had seen you only they roped you
into that little dining room of theirs just as l
had planned.
YOU"
Surely. I'm working in the interests of
the old standbys Marsh &; Maxwell, So that,
when the real Barberetti showed up and found
not his new hosts we had little difficulty in
ushering him into dining room Accord
ingly," Pendleton yawned, the contract was
signed this A. M
But the interpreter" l cried.
'Oh, he just transferred his affections from
dining room to the other 1t didn't cost
us overmuch either.
'Humph"' said l.
"Oh, you re all right" continued Pendleton,
as though giving me the most trivial lnforma
ton I've arranged for you to have your
voice tried tomorrow. You see, Marsh & Max
we'll need an understudy for Barberetti."
Barberetti!' cried. " That fellow under
ground asked me the name, you remember.
''Of significance to you now, answered
Pendleton II long ago gave up trying to
keep posted the Italian vendettas, Black
Hands, and what not. At the worst happen
ing. it will probably only mean your playing
the part as understudy.
Pendleton picked up the jar. Have some
tobacco?"
mo, thanks, said | . | haven't eaten yet.
Then | went out and ordered steak