The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-08-13
- 6TIaSaI, .eet04E Ae.stoF

returned, NIa genial eye Alternating
between Coast and q crystal decanter
he had fetched.
"Yes. Central, waiting" Coast put
Ais hand over the transmitter and
waggeA n reprov4nc head. "Qotng to
try TO poison me. &tiiarfS
"Just q drop Of old brandy, M.
coast-very old. trom my home IN
France"
Coast nodded. recalled 70 the tele-
phone. "Heiio. soamea. VERY
well. Tell her called. please, q,
Mol no rnessags. thank you. Goodby."
Al he hung up the receiver. . warn
front door. Millsr. busy with glasses.
looked TO his aszistant. 'See who that
Ia. Charley" he said. The asaistant
slipped from his seat switched on
more light In the front Of the shop.
and vanishsd round the screen
As he did 60. Coast heard the rum
BILE Of q mans voioe. followed By q
woman's ringing laugh. thought too
loud.
Miller was Offering him Q glass. He
bowed, took It and held Ii to his lips
for moment without tasting. inhal-
Ing the mellow bouquet Of the liquor.
''That Is good" he said. and slipped
critically.
"Ths very best. Mr.. Coast There's
little Ike It out Of France"
I'm glad thought Of imposing on
your good nature"
why, 50 am /. Ny friends are al
ways welcome. Your health.
Mr.. Coast"
"And yours, Mr.. Miller"
They drank oeremoniously. Coast
put down an empty glass. That" he
declared from the bottom of Q con-
graduated heart. was delicious"
Another drop?"
mo. Absolutely not. It would In.
spire me to try to buy out the shop"
He offered his hand. Good night, and
thank you"
Good night, Mr.. Coast"
On his way out. Coast had an indit-
ferent glance for the customers at q
show case near the window. The
woman stood with her back turned.
chattsring volubly to the assistant In
Indifferent French: a small, slight hg-
ure with arms upHfted. holding q
chain Of gold and imperial jade to the
light. Beside her the man doomed
solidly, his heavy proportions exag-
gerated by fur-lined coat, his atten-
tive pose owning a trace Of proprie-
tary interest. As Coast drew near he
looked up and faced about, stripping
OF glove.
why, h'ar'ye, COAST"
Tone and manner proclaimed the
encounter Of old friends. PeEforce
Coast took his hand, pausing, then
dropped It, with a grave Good even
Ing. Blackstock." His distaste for the
man affected him intensely, but he
tried to conceal It beneath a forced
banality: Early Christmas shopping
eh?"
Not exactly" Blackstock slurred
explanations. Eve Just been trying
to get you on the telephone"
Coasts eyebrows underlined his sur
prise. "Yes?"
Eyes. Thought you might care for
hand at bridge tonight; Just a few
Of US at my rooms: Van Tuyl, Truax
Dundas, yourself and me. Well cut
in and out. What dye say?"
Coasts acceptance followed an IN
stant's consideration. Had the inVi
tation been extended him at any time
before noon OF that same day, his re
fusal would have been prompt Il
qualified by an invented engagement
Now, however, after what the day had
rumored OF the man, he was incline(
to grasp an opportunity to study him
to see as much Of him as possible-Iit
tie as he cared to see anything Of him
What o'clock?"
"Oh, between nine and ten-an,
time. You know where I hang out
Wen count on you" Blackstocl
beamed, his eyes shining behind thiol
lenses: 10 snare Garrett Coast was
signal conquest An additional trac
Of affable effusiveness oiled his al
ways slightly overpowsring manner
Then doubt moderated 1t, and he ha4
an irresolute eye for his companion.
She had turned away from the case
with an assured attitude imperativ,