Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1913-01-22

+ they came downstairs.
u! So the bellboy suffered as he grab
II bed Garble's arm. Say" he gasped
them your bags over on the othe,
Eide-a the lobby? BY the door?"
"They are" replied Garble. "Why7'
u WELL" said the bellboy, there's :
man trying to steal emil You'd better
i come quick!"
/ 1t was then that Garble was obsess
ed by his sudden idea. He shut biz
mouth, which he had opened to ex
plain the matter, and stuffed his
change into his pocket with an exag
gerated display of haste.
| Where is he?" he growled as ha
ran after the fleeing bellboy.
Across the lobby he deserted Rock
ton walking away with the two suit
cases, headed for the checkroom,
! where they were to have been Left
during the day.
Spurred on by authority, the boy
seized Rockton.
"Here!" he cried. 'Whachu dom
! with them bags?"
Rockton turned mildly surprised
,, face upon his captor and then glanced
smilingly at Garble in the rear. He
wondered why Garble looked so sour
why" he said easily, zone of 'em'i
mine, and the other is his" indicating
Garble.
The boy turned upon Garble Q
!cck which spelled complete under
standing.
How about that for nerve% he
l asked.
Hes an old hand at it." said Gar.
BILE, stepping up and frowning upon
Rockton. Drop 'em! And we'll have
20 see about you!" :,
Garble pointed to his name card IL
/ the tag on his suitcase "Clever OF
him." he commented to the bellboy.
What do you mean to" began
Rockton, Indignantly.
| Garble transfXed him with a stony
stare. Il mean to hand you over to
the police for grabbing my grips;
that's what mean," he said distinctly.
Then he coughed. He had to, because
Rocktcn's face was SO funny. Call
! Amusement, rage auu Inv 1iivN-.
duced Rockton to a state OF lnconer
ency, which was easily taken for
sign of guilt. Moreover the house
detective was feeling unusually sus'
picious that day. And Garble was I'M
pressive.
you come with me-" the detective
told Rockton.
AS Garble, with unholy glee, gazeo
upon his miserable friend, he thought
of an added touch. They had been due
to take luncheon with Miss Nedden
and her mother at one o'clock and, II
the truth must be told, there was quite
a contest on between Rockton and Gar
Bile as to who should win the favor
pretty Alice Nedden.
This mans liking for my grips has
delayed me-" he murmured. i have
an engagement at one o'clock and ]
don't believe I can make 1t unless J
call taxi"
Don't call one," suggested the
house detective. You'll have to come
along to the station to prefer
charges"
t was then that Rockton, CATCHING
glimpse Of the CONSERVATION or
Garble's face, braced up. He ever
grinned. They sat glazing at eech
T: other all the way to the station ano
then Rockton had his innings.
Look here" he said to the question
: ing officer at the desk. He says nc
can describe all the articles in both
grips! Well, go can l! Why ISM
nv word as good as his? tell you
Il If you'll investigate this you'll Inc
he's the guilty man! He's trying te
steal my property by having me lock
&c up"
= Its all a joke protested Garble
IS watching the clock hands.
j II think I'll look into this said thu
desk sergeant, ponderously.
: Which he proceeded to do, with al
! the frills of red tape known to con
scientious city policeman.
With the combined and disguised
= aid of the hotel clerk and two business
!, friends, after they had related TIL
- history of their lives from birth an
;. had been threatened with fine 10
: "getting gay" GaTble and Rocktor
81 at $3.50 o'clock that afternoon. fnall
n were released.
.y Gsrbie was a chastened m&n. II
<; had been through much since moor
:, He had not even dared to telephone n
explanation to Alice, since it woul
- never do to mix her up in s. polio
; case. Besides, how could he expiai
: to her that he was unable to appea
* at luncheon because he was detaine
a. by the police?
!. They caught their train for tn
east with only d second to spare
Wien MS rancor had somewhat coole
- Rockton approached Garble, who Wa
IL, writing voluminousiy.
81 What are you doirg?" ne growle'
joot-ci oo11i-- s;I