Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-16
Continued from page 4

started upstairs heard one of the new win
dow panes in the banquet hall smash Sir
so take it he must have sliced his drive a
bit"
"Who let these people in?' l demanded in
srnothered tones from the depths of a sweater
| was getting into.
"They came in with the plumbers, Sir, at
hafpast eight. Old man Schmick tried to
keep them out; but they said they don't un-
derstand German and walked right by, leav
ing their donkeys in the roadway outside.
"Couldn't Rudolph and Max stop themo"
| cried, as my head emerged
"They were still in bed, Sir. | think
they're at breakfast now
Good Lord" l groaned, looking at my
watch. "Nine- thirty! What sort of rest
cure am | conducting herea"
WYE hurried downstairs so fast that lost
~ one of my bedroom slippers. 1t went
gathering on ahead of us, making shame
full racket on the bare stones; but Brltton
caught it up in time to save it from the
clutches of the curio vandals. My workmen
were lolling about the place, smoking vile
pipes and talking in cultural whispers All
operations appeared to have ceased in my
establishment at the command of the far
from idle rich. Two portly men in fedoras
were standing in the middle of the great hall,
discussing the merits of a dingy old spinet
that had been carried out of the music room
by two lusty porters from the hotel. From
somewhere in the direction of the room
where porcelains and earthenware were
stored came the shrill, excited voices of
women. The aged Schmicks were sitting
side by side on a window ledge, with the rigid
reticence of wax figures.
As came up, heard one of the strangers.
say to the other, well, if you don't want it,
III take it. My wife says it can be made
into writing desk with little"
Il beg your pardon, Gentlemen, said |,
confronting them. "Will you be good
enough to explain this intrusion"
They stared at me as if l were a servant
asking for higher wages. The speaker, fat
man with a bristly mustache and a red neck
tie, drew himself up haughtily
"Who the blazes are youo" he demanded.
fixing me with glare.
glared back at him. Il happen to be the
owner of this place, and you'll oblige me by
clearing out
whats thato Here, here! None of that
sort of talk, my friendl We're here to look
over your stuff, and we mean business; but
you won't get anywhere by talking like"
"There is nothing for sale here" said
shortly "And you've got lot of nerve to
SOliiC DOlliliS iieo q pii'aIS iiOIoS
"Say," said the second man, advancing
with a most insulting scowl. well under
stand each other right off the reel my friend
All you've got to do is to answer US when we
ask for prices. Now bear that in mind, and
don't try any of your high-and-mighty tao
tics on us!'
"Just remember that you re junk dealer,
and we'll get along splendidly,' said the
other in tone meant to crush me. what
do you ask for this thing?' tapping the dusty
spinet with his walking stick.
TT suddenly occurred to me that the situa-
ton was humorous. "You will have to
produce your references, Gentlemen, before
/ can discuss anything with you," | said
after swallowing very hard-it must have
been my pride.
They stared. aGood Lord!7 gasped the
bristly one, blinking his eyes. "Don't you
know who this gentleman is? You-you
appear to be an American. You must know
Mr.. Riley Werkheimer of New York.
Il regret to say that have never heard of
Mr.. Riley erkheimer. And may | ask
who you are:o'
ooh, am also a nobody" said he, with
wink at his purple jowled companion. Il
am only poor old Rocksworth, president of
the
"Oh. don't saw ANYTHING more, Mr..