Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1912-01-18
(cOpyright. 1910. b. Louis Joseph vance)
CHAPTER /.

A gentleman who leaving his offices
on lower Broadway q trife after four,
presently ensconced himself in a cor
ner seat of a Subway express and
opened before him a damp afternoon
paper with an eye for the market
reports) was surprised, when the
train crashed heavily into the Four
teenth Street station, to find himself
afoot and making for the door: this
although his intention had been to
alight at Grand Central. Thus 1t 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 a stroll benefiting him.
SO. transferring to 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
lounging places) he turned northward
on Fifth Avenue. threading the early
evening throngs with spring of i'm
patience in his stride 20 distance cas-
ual competition; and received upon a
mind still impressionable. for all that
it had ample food for meditation and
nursed a private grievance, variety
of pleasurable suggestions.
Dusk, the early violet dusk of late
November, brooded over the city.
blurring its harsh contours subduing
it's too blatant youth, lending an IL
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 we'll known to him:
1T might save time: one may as
we'll be sure"
Turning, he descended a pair of
stone steps and crossed flagSed
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
wears and dust. A bell tinkled over
head as he opened and shut the door,
letting himself into a deep and mar
row room crowded with a heterogen-
eous assemblage of objects that CLAM
mered with weird splendor in a semi
gloom made visible by half q dozen
electric bulbs generously spaced. In
the rear. beyond a partitioning screen,
shone a warmer light.
For the moment he saw no one. Ad-
vancing a few PAGES he halted, 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, II you please"
Coast laughed a little and was an
swered cheerfully.
Certainly. This way"
He was conducted behind the
screen, where, beneath a strong light,
an assistant at a jewelers. bench sat
laboriously occupied with some task
of delicate artifice. He looked up as
Coast entered, with a greeting cordi-
ally returned. Coast went directly to
the telephone, wall instrument, I'M
hooked the receiver and detailed a
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 at
home? Then will you find
out, please. Ask her II she has time
to see me for a few moments before
dinner. Very we'll.
There was a frightening pause. dur
ing which the antique dealer silently
returned. his genial eye alternating
between Coast and crystal decanter
he had fetched.
Yes. Central. waiting" Coast put
his hand over the transmitter and
wagged reproving head. Going to
try to poison me, Miller?"
Just a drop of old brandy, Mr.,
Coast--very old. from my home In
France"
Coast nodded. recalled to the tele-
phone. Hello. Soames. Very
we'll Tell her | called. please.
No! no message. thank you. Goodby. "
AS he hung up the receiver, warn.
ing Naturalization sounded at the
nrIo