Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-06-17
CflAnIER MY.

"ra-,d' through 'he grill room. Hold
ius up a fnroil-cr Ia admit his iden-
titr. he was haulrG It cabcgram of
!, ur Sheets, with toll charges marked
'tollc.i The ever ready McQuade
had lived up to his reputation. In one
day re had unoarthed all that was 70
- learned of the history of Count
J.ui-i Salvatore Necchi.
ON page ! were recorded the facts
concerning the birth, parentage and
early childhood of the count. Page
. took him Oh 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
Lis rumUred 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,
hav Mr.. McQuade's message closed
In this manner:
"Sent To private Sanitarium in Logos,
Switzerland. Aug. II. 10. Died there
WV SAINT NFit- BlIdtC
Family hushed up affair"
"Nearly two years ago" commented
the Cherub Then | believe he's
good and dead by this time. But
why shouldn't the IewingtOns 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, q 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 i. this is the peculiarest'
Yes. it is little odd," broke in the
Cherub. But where's your man now?"
Outside, sir. 'cuffed to Mr.. Coogan.
my side partner. Now, II 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
simulated 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 I want
is his company for few minutes"
"Well. I'm jiggered, am"
The bogus count seemed rather meek
and subdued. His clothes were wrin-
kled and dusty. his shirt bosom rum
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
wayy'
Il was just joking. I'm going to
make You smart for your share In this.
Mr.. Cherub Devine."
ar That's nsn1w
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
attempted blackmail. and between us
we'll keep the courts busy for year.
have that all figured out. But what
do you say to u good dinner firstY'
An involuntary rolling of the eyes
toward the menu card betrayed the
fact that the suggestion was pleas
Ing one.
"How would a nice thick sirloin.
with mushrooms and baked potatoes.
strike you? And a few little necks to
start on, Ell? Good! Here. waiter!'
Suddenly. however. Mr.. Devine ask
ed abruptly:
"Well, got me all sized up? Then
let's get down to facts. What's your
real bona fide name, anyway
The man flushed a little.
"Suppose"-and a 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.
sunless you can show your pass from
the old boy You see. l know just
how long the counts been dead"
III you had taken the trouble to ask
Mr.. Hewington he would have told
you how mistaken you were.",
Eyes. but I'm better posted than MIR.
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, he merely shrug-
ged his shoulders indifrcrently.
81 migst have known You would
find out. But what of it?'
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
the table silver. Inside of two min
utes he had broken down completely
and was making u full confession, to
which Cherub Devine listened with
placid satisfaction and indulgent mods
of encouragement.
The interview ended amicably. BY
the time it was over the ex-prisoner
had recovered his composure aud de
veloped an appetite for sirloin steak;
also he had accepted Mr.. Deyines Of
fer to become his guest for the night.
And early next morning there ar
rived cf HewinU ton Acrac ouco more,