The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-04-25

at Coney and with difficulty Poe made
speed to the address on Surf Avenue.
There he found roomy lodging
above a moving picture show and
asked for the proprietor, one OF the
two managers OF East Indian shows he
had picked out to call upon.
He received Information that the
man was not in and wouldn't be until
the next day. Somewhat disappointed.
Poe walked slowly down the steps and
stood for moment on the curb
Then he glanced at the card. The
other name and address was:
EDGEwoRTH HORTON.
IS Bowery.
Deep, cynical wrinkles between
nose and mouth formed unconsciously.
he drew his broad-brimmed straw hat
close over his eyes and turned quickly
into the Bowery.
At number 20 Christopher Poe found
a big gay mUsic-hall. with the stereo-
typed dancing and singing girls. On
the lurid bill in front was huge adj
vertisement:
SPECIAL
EAST INDIAN TROUPE OF 10 PER
FORMERS
NAUTcH DANCES
JUGGLERs
SNAKE-cHARMERs
As he came TO Snake-eharmers on
the list the banker-detective' eyebrows
shot up in sudden interest; then he
walked into the cafe and seated him
self at table. 1t was large, sub
stantial place. doing tremendous
business. and Poe took in all the de-
tails carefully. noting the height of the
ceiling and the two passages upstairs,
one on either side.
Having taken sip OF the tasteless
beer placed before him. Poe slipped
from his chair and walked through one
OF the side doors, ascending narrow
pair of stairs.
At the top was big door. closed.
Poe stepped up and knocked on It.
full minute he waited. vaguely con-
scious of the fact that unseen eyes
were peering at him from somewhere
nearby.
Suddenly the door swung open noise
lessly and an East Indian servant.
dressed severely in black silk. bowed
to him with funereal grin.
Il should lilie to see Mr.. Horton"
said Poe in a hurried, business-like
tone I'm from Atlantic City. you
know. Tell him Mr. Hardy I've got
two new places over there and I'd like
to get hold OF good troupe of East
Indians"
l.
fered card. bowed again and abruptly
slammed the door in Poe's face.
Cool one," exclaimed the banker.
Wonder where he was watching me
from before he opened the door. He
certainly's got some lookout hole.
Didn't look at me curiously, must have
been watching me-"
Two minutes elapsed: then the door
slid open and the East Indian bowed
him to enter.
1t was strangely cool and restful
apartment, seemingly far removed
from screeching, sweating Coney,
though below was riotous music hall
and there was breakneck toboggan
with shrieking joy-riders just across
the street.
Poe noted with interest the thick
ness of that front door. It was at
least eight inches, doubtless to make
1t sound-proof.
Having been guided through pleas.
ant little reception room with several
heavy chairs and a deep-napped carpet.
Poe was ushered into large, square
room, quite plain; a representative Of
fice Of busy America.
A gray-haired. thinfaced man Of in
determinate age sat in large square
chair before roIl-top desk. He was
alone, and looked up with quick, en-
gaging smile as Poe entered.
Mr.. Hardy?" he said interroga-
( lively. with an English intonation.
so glad to see you. Beastly hot to-
I for the electric fans"
You've got fine place here" an
/ swered Christopher Poe, assuming the
rough good-fellowship OF the American
show manager. It's as cool as beer
and as quiet as RaJputana."
"Oh, you've been to India then-and
! the desert?" queried Horton. motion.
ing Poe to a chair and drawing VI
his interestedly as he dismissed the
servant with a nod.
only once. thank goodness, and
4 you'll never get me there again" an
swered Poe, after the well-nigh in
Irritable manner of your typical Ameri
1 can business man who abhors a vaca
ton and loathes a change of scene, be
4 It outside his own country. Frs
! time made big stake, took my wife
She liked II. Well, 4. wasn't SO bad
Gave me lots OF good Ideas for shows
Born fakers-the natiyes-arenH
they?" smiled the Englishman easily
1t being quite evident from his manner
that he was sure of his visitor and ha(
sized him UP for just what Poe chose Il
be considered