Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-25
higher he got to the hotel the faster he

The Wapatomac House is about the
toniest summer place on our part of the
coast A great big building. with piazzas
and band stand. and windows and wind
mills. and bowling alleys till you can't
rest. We turned in between the stone
posts at the end of the driveway and
went pounding across the lawns and
flower beds.
There was sleepy-looking clerk behind
the desk in the big hall. Nobody else was
| In sight. and the whole outfit of empty
chairs and scattered newspapers had that
lonesome look of having been up all
night Oh. yes! and there was a colored
man hopping the floor.
Hartley went up to the desk. leaving
.muddd foot marks right where the darby
had been Scrubbing.
Good morning." he says to the clerk.
DIR. Jordan of Providence is one of your
guests, isn't hep
The clerk put down the book he was
reading and looked US over. He done 1t
always do. If there's any one mortal
that can make the average man feel like
apologizing for living without a license,
it's a slick. high-collared, fancy-shirt-
bosomed hotel clerk.
"What?" says the clerk, frosty and
slow.
DIR. Jordan of Providence. Is he here"
His majesty looked at his book again
afore he answered. Then he put his
thumb between the pages to mark the
What do you want with him."
For once he'd made a mistake. There
are times when it amt wise to judge a
Teller by his general get-up. Martin stiff
fened. and he spoke clear and sharp.
Answer my question, if you please"
says he. us the doctor here?"
mo, he amt
Where is he?"
Gone"
felt sick Maybe Hartley did. too. but
he didn't show it.
Where has he gomez he asks.
II don't know that I've got to"
Il know. And for your own good. my
friend, advise that you tell me. Where
Is DR.. Jordan?"
The emperor come down off his throne
little. I caTlate he figgered that twas
good policy.
Hes gone to Brantboro." he says. He
went yesterday morning, and he's to
leave there for Boston this forenoon.
Then he's going to Bar Harbor for the
| rest of his vacation. Anything else you'd
like to know?'
This last part was loaded to the gum
vale with sarcasm.
Yes" says Hartley. emphatic. Where
is the doctor staying in Brantboro?"
Gold Spring House. Want to know
what he pays for his roOm?''
Martin didn't answer. He walked to
the door. 1 stopped for jiffy.
See here. my smart aleck," says I to
the clerk. you'll have some more fun
from this later on. when your boss hears
of 1T. Do you know who It's you've been
sassing? That young man is John d.
Vanderbilt of New York.
There is some satisfaction in a first
class lie. 1t done me good to see that
clerk shrivel up.
Martin was calling to me. SOL" he
asks. like flash. chow can 1 get to
Brantboro?"
You can't-in time to catch that morn
ing train. Brantboro's ten mile off, and
the train that gets here at twenty-five
minutes of eight. leaves there at seven
fifteen. That was the one we was to
have the doctor on. And it's past six
now"
He spun around on, his heel "Is the
telegraph line to Brantboro working?'
he asked the clerk.
mo. sir! no. sir" My! but he was
polite. I'm sorry to say not, SIR
"Can 1 get horse here?"
'"The livery stable is right around the
corner. but don't think
We was at the livery stable in less than
two shakes. The Teller that took care of
the horses and slept in the stable loft
was up and sweeping out.
Have you got horse that will take
me to Brantboro in half an hour?" asks
the Twin.
The Teller stared at him. BE you
crazy?" says he.
Martin didn't answer. Whose ma
chine is that?' he asks.
He was pointing to big automobile in
the stable. A great big red thing. with a
shiny painted hull and nickel-plated rum
ming rigging.
Mr.. Shearer's. He's away for week
and we're keeping it for him..
Can hire it?'
The feller's mouth fell open like twas
on hinges.
Hire it? Hire Mr.. Shearer's automo-
bile?" says he. We'll. Ill be darned."
where's your employer" asks Hart
ley. quick.
Your boss" l sings out. dancing up
and down. For the land sakes wake up!
Where is hep
I'm the house. I guess. Where do
you-"
We met the livery-stable owner just
coming out of his kitchen with a pan Of
leavings for the pig. He'd just turned
out. 1 knew him; his name was Ben
Baker Martin went at him hot-foot
speaking in short sentences.
Il want to hire that auto in your
stable" he says. II must get to Brant-
boro before O'Clock. I'll pay any price.
But l must have it."
Then there was more arguing. Baker
said no. Was we crazy. He couldn't let
another mans auto to the Almighty him
self. And Mr.. Shearer's auto. of all
things! Why. Shearer would kill. him.
And SO forth and so on.
But Hartley kept cool. He must have
the machine. He'd be responsible for
damages. He explained about the doctor.
'Pll pay you-so and So" says he.
Never mind the price he offered. 1t was
so big that I wouldn't be believed If 1
told it. Baker didn't believe 1t either till
Martin pulled out roll of bills and
showed him.
"I'll buy the thing. if necessary" says
he. But Til have it. Come, skipper"
THE shofer's up at Shearer's house."
says Baker. He"
Never mind the shofer. l can run it.
Send your man with us, and I'll leave the
machine in his care at Brantboro. Then
the shofer can come after it. I'll write
to Mr.. Shearer and explain. Come on"
TITS all right Ben" 1 says. He'll
do all he tells you. and more You'll
never make a chunk of money any
easier"
Baker followed US to the barn, saying
No" all the time. He kept on saying
it while the Twin was getting up steam.
or some such trick In the auto. He said
it even after he'd got the money in his
hand The hired man climbed in behind.
Hartley and me was In front. We chuff-
chuffed out of the stable door.
For heavens sake"' hollers Baker.
take care of the thing. 1 don't know
what'H come to me for this job when
Shearer hears Of it,
CTO be continued tomorrow