The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1910-04-23

He had just ordered his second demi-
tasse when he heard his name being
PACED through the grill room. Hold
ing up a forefinger to admit his iden-
tity, he was handed cablegram Of
four sheets; with toll charges marked
| collect" The ever ready McQuade
had lived up to his reputation. In one
day he had unear:hed all that was 10
be learned of the history OF Count
| Luigi Salvatore Vecchi.
On page | were recorded the facts
concerning the birth parentage and
| early childhood of the count. Page
took him on TO youth. when he be-
| gan to have eScapades which had be-
| come matters of public record. Page
| 3 was largely devoted to accounts of
+, his rumored engagements and brief
| statements concerning two duels in
| which he had been concerned. 1t was
| while hastily skimming the last sheet
| that Mr.. Devine was moved to ex-
| claim, with explosive eagerness. "Ah,
ha.' Mr. McQuade's message closed
| in this manner:
| ''Sent to private sanitarium in Logos,
! Switzerland, Aug. 10, 49,. Died there
Nov. %, same year. Funeral private.
| Family hushed up affair."
| Nearly two years ago" commented
| the Cherub. Then l believe he's
| good and dead by this time. But
why shouldn't the Hewingtons have
known
| Further speculations were interrupt
| ed by the announcement that person
| who gave his name as j. Binks was
| at the desk asking to communicate
with Mr. Devine. He mentioned that
he was connected with some agency
or other.
| Mr.. ]. Binks. bristly haired man
with an undershot jaw and narrow
set eyes. tiptoed apologetically in
among the tables.
Excuse me-" he whispered hoarsely.
'but we got your gent, all right. He
was walking out as cool as you like,
too. sir. when we nabbed him"
The deuce you say! But what have
you done with him:'
Just what was bothering us. sir
Generally we has papers and takes 'em
to the nearest station house. But in
this case. as says to the chief, Chief
says l, this is the peculiareSt' -
Yes, it is little odd" broSc in the
Cherub. But where's your man now?"
| "Outside, sir 'cuffed to Mr.. Coogan,
my side partner Now, if you would
step around to the sergeant's desk and
swear OUT
But l can't, Mr. Binks. You and
| Coogan have done well. Here. split
that between you." and Mr.. Devine in
sinuated a yellow backed note into an
anticipatory palm. Now all you have
to do is unchain your man from Mr..
Coogan, lead him in here and leave
him with me-
And there amt no charger"
None at all, Mr.. Binks. All / want
is his company for a few minutes"
well, I'm jiggered, am"
The bogus count seemed rather meek
and subdued. His clothes were wrin-
pied, and he was in need Of a shave.
With some hesitation he slid into the
chair opposite Mr.. Devine.
"Whatever your little game was. it's
queered.' said Mr.. Devine. You fool
ed me all right, but of course you
couldn't fool Mr.. Hewington or the
countess. What was the idea, any
way"
Il was just joking I'm going to
make you smart for your share in this
Mr.. Cherub Devine."
"Of course you are That's only
natural You'll bring suit for damages
and all that sort Of thing. and I'll have
to have you arrested on a charge Of
III
We'll keep the courts busy for year.
have that all figured out. But what
do you say to good dinner frst?'
An involuntary rolling of the eyes
toward the menu card betrayed the
fact that the suggestion was a pleas
ing one.
How would a nice thick sirloin,
with mushrooms and baked potatoes,
strike you? And q few little necks to
start on, Ell? Good, Here, waiter!'
Suddenly, however, Mr.. Devine ask
ed abruptly:
well. got me all sized up? Then
lets get down to facts. What's your
real bona fide name. anyway"
The man flushed little.
"Suppose"-and pair Of piercing
dark eyes watched for the effect
shrewdly-"suppose came direct
from Count Vecchi as his personal
repre-
won't do" interrupted Mr.. Devine.
unless you can show your pass from
the old boy You see, ! know just
how long the counts been dead
IF you had taken the trouble to ask
Mr.. Hewington he would have told
you how mistaken you were"
yes. but I'm better posted than Mr..
Hewington. There are the latest re-
turns and the Cherub tossed over
the last sheet Of McQuade's message.
Seeing that further pretense along
this line was useless. be merely shHug.
ged his shoulders indinerently.
81 might have known You, would
find out But what of itT'
Why, not much" answered the
Cherub slowly. "only-only this: Some
ones been holding up the old gentle
man for remittances ever since the
count died. using the counts name.
OF course I'm not sure who that some
body was. but the arrow points TO you
How about it, eh:"
The man across the table began TO
think. His air of indifference van
ished. He fumbled nervously with
hn f1h 10 zsFr - frr-o mi,