Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1912-09-04
as l Joined him and we stepped aside.

as Joined him and we stepped aside
Hadn't / better ring up the janitor
on my house 'phone?",
by JoVe, the very thing" agreed.
For he'll know where this chap be-
longs. A flyer, tell him, If he gets a
move on. Hurry"
slipped back into the room as
Jenkins disappeared. The jolly old
barnacle had discarded his cigarette
and was critically selecting a cigar
from my humidor.
Il don't see why the devil you don't
go to bed" he said, fixing himself
comfortably with two chairs and light
ing UP.
lin not sleepy" | stammered,
perching on the corner of a chair.
Il believe you're lying" he growled,
scowling at me; but If you're not
sleepy, listen to this joke here-it's
chestnut, but it's Internally good"
| never did know what the joke
was, for was listening for other
sounds as he read. Suddenly l heard
a whistle far down in the street; and
l thought 1t was followed by a pat
ter of running feet.
Then came the quivering rhythm of
the elevator rapidly ascending, and
while the anecdote was still being
droned out between chuckles, / slipped
out again into the hall and rejoined
jenkins.
"Janitor says there's no such tenant
in this building as described" Jen-
kins impaired hurriedly. might be a
guest, of course; but he doesn't re-
member ever seeing him. SO he whis-
tied for a cop, to be on the safe side,
and caught two. Here they are, sir. 4"
Out from the elevator sprang the
Ianitor, half-dressed and looking ex-
cited Close on his heels came two
big policemen.
stepped into the outer corridor
and explained the situation. The of.
ficers nodded reassuringly.
"Nough said," one of them com.
mented. Wen have him out, sir"
The janitor, who had been cautious
ly sighting through the door within
came running out.
He shifted around, while | was
looking, and got good look at him,
he said with some excitement, land
never saw him before. wouldn't for
get that mug!"
Suppose you take a squint at hin
yourself, O'Keefe," suggested the tall
err of the coppers. You've been OF
this beat so long"
In minute or two O'Keefe came
, slipping back hurriedly. He drew his
companion aside.
Tell you what, Tim" l heard hin
say, "do you know, I'm after thinking
it looks like old Braxton, known ii
the perfesh as Foxy Grandpa Hei
a swell con man, but has just finished
a stretch at Copper Johns for goinl
through fat in the Bronx. Het
done murder once"
The other turned to me.
May save muss in your rooms
you1l just kinder call him out, sir,
, he suggested. 1T will be simpler.
; He grinned significantly and glance'
= at his night stick.
by Jove!" l calculated, looking a
Jenkins. by Jove, you know!"
jenkins coughed. Just say yo
, want to speak to him minute, sir,
> he said. They'll do the rest-h'm!
They all followed me into the hal
and / stepped to the doorway. An
o then almost pitched forward. | wa
9 so devilish startled.
q For, as a browning example OF hi
!. daring and reckless conduct, the boar
A old reprobate was emerging from BIZ
d ings' room, his fingers oyerhauling tn
contents Of my friends wallet, eve
!! as he waddled along. and so absorbe
Z that he never even saw me.
- "Ah!" he breathed in a heavy sig
Of satisfaction; and out came his iii
ID gers. and in them, poised aloft,
ID held the ruby had given to Billing
of HIS bleary eyes gloated at it.
r "Mine!" he whispered. Mine no
is to keep foreyerl"