The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1911-11-10
Copyright. 100. 81 Louis Joseph Vance.
CHAPTER !.


teenth Street station. to find himself
afoot and making for the door: this
although his intention had been to
alight at Grand Central. Thus it may
be. that trickster in US all. which we
are accustomed vaguely to denomi.
nate the subconscious mind, directs
our actions to an end predestined.
Surprised, he hesitated; and for
that was rewarded by having his heels
trodden by the passenger behind. This
decided him, absurdly enough, and he
went on and out. solacing himself
with a muttered something, hardly
definite, about stroll benefiting him.
So, transferring to a local train. he
alighted at Twenty-third Street,
climbed the stairs and proceeded
briskly west, buffeted by a rowdy
wind.
Striking diagonally across Madison
Square Park, past the drearily letting
fountain and between arrays Of empty
benches scarcely beggarly (since that
class had deserted them for warmer
Longing places) he turned northward
on Fifth Avenue. threading the early
evening throngs with a spring of i'm
patience in his stride to distance cas-
ual competition; and received upon q
mind still impressionable, for all that
1t had ample food for meditation and
nursed private grievance. a variety
of pleasurable suggestions.
Dusk, the early violet dusk Of late
November, brooded over the city,
blurring its harsh contours, subduing
its too blatant youth, lending an H.
fusion resembling the dim enchant-
ment of antiquity.
Near Twenty.ninth Street he check
ed sharply and stood briefly debating
something suggested by sight Of a
shop window well known to him:
1T might save! time: one may as
we'll be sure"
Turning, he descended a pair Of
stone steps and crossed tagged
area to a door set at one side of a
window dressed with a confusion Of
odd, enticing things: a display that
tempted the eye with the colors of the
rainbow fainting under weight Of
sears and dust. A bell tinkled over
head as he opened and shut the door,
letting himself into deep and mar
row room crowded with heterogen-
eous assemblage Of objects that CLAM.
mered with weird splendor in a semi
gloom made visible by half dozen
electric bulbs generously spaced. In
the rear, beyond partitoning screen.
shone a warmer light
For the moment he saw no one. Ad-
vancing few PAGES he h. ed, wait
Ing.
From behind the screen. at the back
Of the shop, the proprietor appeared,
soft stepping, smiling to greet good
customer Of discerning taste. The lat.
ter went to meet him with a pleasant
air of liking.
Good evening, Mr.. Miller"
Good evening, Mr.. Coast. Some.
thing can show you this EVENING""
''The telephone, If you please u
Coast laughed a little and was an.
swered cheerfully.
Certainly. This way"
He was conducted behind the
screen, where, beneath strong light,
an assistant at jewelers. bench sat
laboriously occupied with some task
Of delicate artifice. He looked up az
Coast entered, with greeting cordi.
ally returned. Coast went directly to
the telephone, wall instrument, un.
hooked the receiver and detailed q
number to Central. The proprietor
disappeared into an adjoining room
An instant later Coast spoke again.
"That you, Soames? This
Is Mr.. Coast. Is Miss Katherine al
home? Then will you find
out, please. Ask her II she has time
to see me for few moments before
dinner. ~. Very we'll"
There was Tightening pause, dur
ing which the antique dealer silently
returned, his genial eye alternating
between Coast and crystal decantel
he had fetched.
"Yes. Central. waiting" Coast pu1
his hand over the transmitter. and
wagged reproving head. Going e
Try to poison me. Miller?"
.Just . drop Of old brandy, Mr.
Coast very old. from my home q
ITrancs.s 455 ..@ss
I Coast nodded. rscallsd, To- the tale
phone. Isdlo. soamSs. h. !. Yer,
xsIl Tell hsr I called. plsass. {, +
l1gol 10 1nassaCs. thankSyou 0oodby.''
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