The Washington herald., 1911-02-17
A SPLENDID HAZARD
By HAROLD MacGRATH
Copyright The sMarnc
By HAROLD MacGRATH
Copyright. rsio. The Bo6bs-Merin company.)

the village tailor. The admirars valet
might think it odd
where do you suppose he comes
from?'
Il don't care where What's he after
to take all this trouble? Something big,
I'll warrant"
And then, for a time they smoked like
Turks, in silence.
by George. it's a good joke; you and I
trying to CHOKE each other, while the real
| burglar makes or
1T has some droll Sides
And you all but broke my arm"
| Braitmann chuckled. You were max
ing the same move. 1 was quicker, that
was ALL
Another pause.
The admiral has seen some odd cor
ners Think of seeing. at close range, the
Japanese-Chinese naval fight!''
| He tells a story we'll"
| And the daughter is a thoroughbred"
| Yes" noncommittally
BY the way. I'm going to the pole in
June or August
| The Italian expedition"
| Yes
! That ought TO make fine copy. You
| will not mind if turn in? A bit sleepy"
| Not at all. Shall We tell the admiral"
THE first thing in the morning. Good
night"
Fitzgerald finished his cigar, and went
to bed also. Interesting old place"
/ wadding pillow under his ear. More
| interesting tomorrow"
Some time earlier, the individual who
| was the cause of this nocturnal exploit
| hurried down the hill, nursing pair of
skinned palms. and laughing gently to
| himself.
| 'Checimate! shall try the other way"
| On the morrow, Fitzgerald recounted
| the adventure in a semi-humorous fash
| ion, making a brisk melodrama out of ii,
! to the quiet amusement of his small
| audience
| I shall send for the mason this morn
| ing said the admiral. Il have been
dreaming of the The Black Cat and all
sorts of horrible things. l hate like sixty
| to spoil the old chimney. but We can't
! have this going on. Well have it down
at once. a fire these days is only a nice
| touch to the mahogany"
But you must tell him to put back
| every brick in its place." said Laura.
Il could not bear to have anything hap
| pen to that chimney. All the same, 1 am
glad the matter is going to be cleared up.
1t has been nerve-racking; and 1 have
been all alone, waiting for 1 know not
what"
You haven't been afraid?" said Fitz-
gerald.
Tn not sure that haven't" She
sighed.
Nonsense cried the admiral
Il am not afraid If anything can see;
but l do not like the dark! 1 do not like
mysteries
You're the bravest girl 1 know.
Laura her father declared. Now, Mr.
Breitmann- if you dol'z mind
Shall we begin at once, sir?'
You will copy some of my notes. to
r1yifh Ar,xy i
over a word, speak to me. There will
not be much outside of manuscript work
Most of my mail is sorted at my bankers,
and only important letters forwarded.
There may be a social note occasionally
Do you read and write English as well as
you speak it,
"Oh. yes"
Laura invited Fitzgerald to the tennis
court
I'm these shoes?" he protested.
They will not matter; it is a cement
court"
But 1 shan't look the game. Tennis
without fannels is like duck without
apples"
Bother! Wen play until the mason
comes up. And mind your game. I've
been runner-up in dozen tournaments"
And he soon found that she had not
overrated her skill. She served strongly.
volleyCd beautifully. and darted across
the court with a flsetness and a surety
both delightful to observe. So interested
were they in the battle that they forgot
all about the mason till the butler came
out and annouced that the desecration
had begun.
In fact the broad marble top was on
the floor, and the room full of impalpable
dust The admiral and the secretary were
gravely stacking the bricks, one by one,
as they came out.
Found anythins?' asked the girl
breathlessly.
Not yet; but Mr.. Donovan here has
Just discovered a hollow space above the
mantel line" The admiral sneezed.
Mr.. Donovan. in his usual free and
happy way, drew out two bricks. and
dropped them on the polished floor
There's your holler, SIR he said, dust
ing his hands.
Unbidden. Breitmann pushed his hand
into the cavity. His arm went down to |
the elbow, and he was forced to stand on |
tptoe. He was pale when he Withdrew
his arm, but in his hand was a SQUARE ,
metal case, about the size and shape of a
cigar box.
by cracky! What's the matter Mr.,
Breitmann?' The admiral stepped for
ward solicitously.
Breitmann swayed- and fell against the
side OF the fireplace. 1T is nothing; lost
my balance for moment Will YOU open
it. sir?'
Lost his balance?' muttered Fitzger-
aid. He looks groggy. WhyT'
rms was not time for speculation
All rushed after the admiral, who laid
the case on his desk, and took out his
keys. None Of them would turn in the
ancient lock. With an impatient gesture,
which escaped the others. the secretary
seized Mr.. Donovan's hammer, inserted
the claw between the lock and the catch.
and gave a powerful wrench. The lid
fell back, crooked and SCARED.
The admiral put on his Mandarin spec