The Washington herald., 1912-01-20
CHAPTER XIV.


Cobb-is a pretty place. II was vastly ap-
preoiated by the boys. both for its ma
turaI beauty and the fact that they en-
eountered Cobb on Monroe avenue. Tyrus.
who had met Brockett some months be-
fore in Washington. was not only affaole.
but anxious to go out OF his way to
guide the youngsters round the burg.
solano. like many others who had never
made the acquaintance OF the Georgia
Peach, had always believed him a SWELL
headed. inflated. disagreeabIe character.
and was amazed to find him a splendid
young fellow. gentlemanIy and entertain
ing. After Cobb had left them the Cuban
shook his head in bewiIdered fashion.
Finding out my mistake about Cobb"
he explained, was some Jolt, believe
me. I'll not be surprised to discover.
after that enlightenment. that Baron ZoI-
Iern Is our dearest friend and that Mr..
happy"
They don't grow any nicer than
Cobb" said Brockett- He is pretty
nearly the best ever"
Naturally, the messengers went to see
Cobb perform that afternoon. nfter Sc
curing tickets and berths on a Chicago
train. The great Georgian was at his
best, giving a wonderful dispay OF his
speed and matchless hitting powers.
After seeing him turn an ordinary single
into three bases by nervy running, the
boys left the ballyard, garrulous as
monkeys, wildly delighted at the doings
OF Tyrus Cobb. but not forgetting the
dangers and demands Of their situation.
Nobody bothered them at the game; no
spies or shadows seemed to be on the
trail as they walked from the park. and
- g.. ha 10
ciaI caution. Much adventure and many
unpleasant happenings, however. had
converted the youngsters into thoroughly
suspicious and watchful individuals. and
every bulky German, ever passing Japa-
nese or Chinaman. doomed large as a
possible emissary OF the foe.
Marching majestically amid the
throng. and towering above them like
Gulliver among the Lilllputlans. a gi-
gantic negro came up the street. The
black man must have been seven feet
high, and was gayly costumed In scar
let coat blue trousers, and silk hat.
With either hand he dealt out the ad-
ver1ising cards OF some dentist. and
kept constant stream OF pasteboards
flying through the crowd The boys
sldestepped to let the giant pass, but
the mammoth negro checked his course
for the fraction of a second and thrust
a couple Of his cards into Brockett's as
tonished hands. Resuming his march.
he paraded up the street. with a mob
OF small boys stringing In his wake,
turned a corner and disappeared with
his attendant train.
Some advertising agent, that boy"
laughed Brockett Wonder who hires
him, anyhow
One OF the cards bore the name of
some dental parlor." Across the other,
in small but clearly written letters.
were these hieroglyphs:" ~
"HR E L TO w Fin r TO HR TC
z L Pos TO CUBS"
Instructions at Chicago" Brockett
translated. "Say-lets catch that black
man and ask bin where he got this card.
They hurried to the cross street where
the negro had changed his course, but
the gigantic African was nowhere visi-
BILE
When they boarded the Chicago-bound
train that night, Solano's restless brain
Matched a new idea.
1T occurs 20 me. Harry" he ventured,
that any one who is tracking US on
sleeping cars viii naturally prowl into
the lower berth Why not frame up a
dummy leave him in the lower, and
both OF us climb into the upper? Then
We can take turns watching. and ought
to come pretty near to landing any In
quisitive gentleman who gets his loca-
tions mixed"
The idea appealed to Brockett. and
was quickly earned through. 1t was by
no means difficult 70 construct fair
imitation OF a sleeper in the lower berth,
simply by rolling Up the blankets. rump-
ling the pillows, and arranging a few ar
ticles Of clothing round the bunk. When
the work was finished, and the electric
light turned on, the iifelike effect was
wholly satisfying. and the boys could
hardly restrain their laughter as they
climbed like Alpine chamois into the
mountainous region above. Crockett
took the first watch-and nothing hap
pened 10 disturb the tranquility OF the
car except a wrangle between two claim
ants of lower seven. each, through some
mistake. holding the proper coupon.
Solano was, on guard, and brockett