Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-09

who became human once in my presence
told me all about it. If YOU went into the
cellar and hunted about YOU might find that
door and climb up into the cardroom.
"A bully ideal" agreed Magee. I'll
hurry down there this minute. I'm more
grateful than you can guess for this chance.
And this tme-but YOU Il see"
He found the back stairs, and descended.
Ia the kitchen the Hermit of Baldpate got
in his path.
MIR. AIagee, he pleaded, 81 consider that,
in way, | work for you here. I've got
something important to tell you. Just a
SORRY" answered Magee, "but | can't
possibly stop now. In an hour III talk to
YOU. Show me the cellar door, and don't
mention where I've gone, there's good
fellow"
Peters protested that his need of talk was
urgent but to no avail
MAGE hurried to the cellar. and with
A'A the aid of a box of matches found a
ladder leading to a door cut in the floor
above. He climbed through dust and cob
webs unfastened the catch, and pushed eau
tiousv upward. In another minute he was
standing in the chill little cardroom. Softly
he opened the cardroom door about half an
inch, and put his ear to it.
The three men were grouped very close
at hand and he heard Bland speaking in low
tones:
I'm talking to you boys as a friend. The
show is over. There amt no use hanging
round for the concert: there won't be none.
Go home and get some clean collars and
square meal.
If YOU think I'm going to be shook off
by any fairy story like that, said the Mayor
Of 81 with al a oh <
touching faith.
All right, replied Bland, II thought I'd
pass you the tip, that all. 1t amt nothing
to me what you do But it's all over, and
you've lost out. I'm sorry you have; but
| take Hayden's orders.
"Confound Hayden" snarled the Mayor.
at was his idea to make a three-act play
out of this thing He's responsible for this
silly trip to Baldpate. This audience we've
been acting for-he let us in for them"
Il know said Bland. "But YOU can't
deny that Baldpate Inn looked Ike the ideal
spot at first, -secluded off the beaten path,
and all that
yes" sneered the Mayor, "as secluded as
a Sunday school the Sunday before Christ
mas"
well, who could have guessed it," went
on Bland. AS say, don't care what you
do. | just passed YOU the tip. I've got that
nice little package OF the long green We
got it where You'll never find it. Yes, Sir,
it's returned to the loving hands of little
Joe Bland, that brought it here first. 1t
ain t going to roam no more. So what S the
use of your sticking around?"
"How did you get hold OF it, inquired
Lou Max.
Il had my eye on this little professor per-
son, explained Bland. This morning when
Magee went up the mountain traied the
highbrow to Magce's room. When busted
in, unannounced by the butler, he was max
ing his getaway. | don't like to talk about
what followed. He's an old man, and | sure
didn't mean to break his glasses. nor scratch
his dome of thought. There's ideas in that
dome that go back to the time of Anthony
]. Chaucer. But he's always talking about
that literature chair of his-why couldn't
he stay at home and sit in it? Anyhow,
got the bundle al right, all right. | wonder
what the little fossil wants with it,"
"'rhe Docs glasses svaS broke, said Max,
evidently to the Mayor of Reuton.
"Um-rn," came Cargan's voice. BLAND,
how much do YOU make working for this
nice. kind gentleman, Mr.. Hayden"
"Oh, about two thousand a year, with
pickingS, replied Bland