The Huttig news., 1908-11-14

q could not rise. he complimented Handsome Dan Anisty.
 "A table for two he drawled Malt iand-wise. eIa a coraer somewhere. way from the crowd. you know
 This way, if you please. Mr Malt land."
 By the way" suggested the burg lar, unfolding his serviette and glan- eing keenly about the room-which ny good chance was thinly populated. by the way, you know. you haven't told me your name yet"
 "Hickey-John w Hickey, detective bureau
 Thank you" A languid hand pushed the pink menu card across the table to Mir Hickey. And what do you see that you'd like?"
 Well Hickey became con. scious that both unwieldy feet were nerveusly twined about the legs Of his chair; blashed; disentangled them: and in an attempt to cover his cen fusion. plunged madly into considers ton of a column of table-d'hote French, not one word of which con ySyed the slightest particle of informa- ton to his intelligence.
 We'll he repeated. and moistened his lips. The room seemed suddenly very hot, notwithstanding the fact that ah obnoxious electric fan was sending 2 current of cool air down the back nf his neck.
 q ain't." he declared in ultimate desperation, hungry. much. Had a bite little while back. over to the Gilsey house bar
 Would little drink-?"
 Thanks. I don't mind"
 Waiter. bring Mr Hickey a bottle of No. 72 For me-let me see-cafe an lait." with grand air, "and rolls.
 You must remember this is my h'eakfast, MT. Hickey I make it rnle never to drink anything for six hours after rising" Anisty selected a cigarette from the Maitland case. lit it, and contemp ated the detectives countenance with a winning smile. Now, as to this Anisty affair last aight''
 
 pagne. to say naught of his relief at having evaded the ordeal of the cut lery, Hickey discoursed variously and at length upon the engrossing subject of Anisty, gentleman -cracksman. while the genial counterpart of Daniel Malt land listened with apparent but decep- tive apathy. and had much ado to keep lou h 1f,aex 1.t- E,o the latter, perspiringly earnest. un- folded his plans for laying the burg. lar by the heels.
 From time to time, and at inter. yals steadily decreasing, the hand of the host sought the neck of the bottle, inclining it carefully above the thin stemmed glass that Hickey kept in al most constant motion. And the de. tectiyes fatuous loquacity flowed as the contents of the bottle ebbed
 Yet, as the minutes wore on, the burglar began to be conscious that if was but shallow well of information and amusement that he pumped. The game, fascinating with its spice oi daring as it had primarily been, began to pail. At length the masquerader calculated the hour as ripe for what he had contemplated from the begin ming; and interrupted. Hickey with scant consideration, in the middle of a most interesting exposition
 You'll pardon me, I'm sure, if l trouble you again for the time'
 The fat red fingers sought uncer. tainly for the timepiece; the bottle was now empty The hour, as an- haunced. was ten minutes to two.
 I've an engagement" invented Rnisty, plausitly, with a friend at two. If you'll excuse me? Garcon, iaddition,p
 Then I und stand, Mister Maitland we c'n count on yeh ?''
 Anisty. eyelids dropping. tipped hack ms chair tsifle and regarded Hi 'ker with a fair imitation of the whimsical. Maitland smile. Hardly, I think"
 Why not at?"-trpeulently.
 "To De frank with you, l have three axcellept reasons The first should ss ssithcient: I'm too lazy"