Gilpin observer., 1913-09-25
TITS another trick of o. G.'s.-

TITS another trick of o. G.'s."
Remy gave a grin. Mercier a sigh
and seemed about to speak but.
meeting Gabriers eye, said nothing.
However. Mercier felt his RESPONSE
bility increased as the minutes
passed without the managers appear
ing; and. at last. he could stand 1t no
longer.
Look here, I'll go and hunt them
out myself"
Gabriel. turning very gloomy and
serious, stopped him.
BE careful what you're doing. Mer-
cier! If they're staying in their Of
nee, It's probably because they have
toll o. G. has more than one trick
in his bag!"
But Mercier shook his head.
That's their lookout! I'm going!
II people had listened to me, the po-
lice would have known everything
long ago!"
And he went.
Whats everything" asked Remy.
What was there to tell the police?
Why don't you answer, Gabriel? /.
Ah, so you know something! Well,
you would do better to tell me, too. II
you don't want me to shout out that
you are all going mad! Yes.
that's what you are: mad!"
Gabriel put on a stupid look and
pretended not to understand the pri-
vate secretary's unseemly outburst.
What something am l supposed to
know" he said Il don't know what
you mean"
Remy began to lose his temper.
This evening. Richard and Mon
charmin were behaving like lunatics,
here. between the acts"
II never noticed It," growled Ca
brfel, very much annoyed
Then you're the only one! .
Do you think that | didn't see them?
And that M. Paradise, the
manager Of the Credit Central, no
ticed nothing? And that M.
de La Borderie. the ambassador. has
no eyes to see with? Why,
all the subscribers were pointing at
our managers"
but what were our managers do
ing?" asked Gabriel. putting on his
most innocent air
What were they doing? You know
better than any one what they we're
doing =. You were therei And
you were watching them, you and
MERCER. And you were the
only two who didn't laugh. :"
II don't understand"
Gabriel raised his arms and dropped
them to his sides again. which ges-
ture was meant to convey that the
question did not interest him in the
least. Remy continued:
what is the sense of this new
mania Of theirs? Why won't they have
any one come near them now?"
What? Won't they have any one
come near them?"
.'And they won't let any one touch
them."
Really? Have you noticed that
they won't let any one touch them ?
That is certainly odd!"
"Oh, so you admit it! And high
time, too! And then, they walk back.
ward!"
Backward You have seen our
managers walk backward? Why,
thought that only crabs walked back.
ward!"
Don't laugh. Gabriel: don't laugh"
I'm not laughing" protested Ga
briel. looking as solemn as a Judge.
Perhaps you can tell me this, Ga
briel. as you're an intimate friend OF
the management: When l went up tc
NJ. Richard. outside the foyer. during
the Garden interval, with my hand
out before me. why did NJ. Monchar
min hurriedly whisper to me. &c
away! Go away! Whatever you do
don't touch NJ lie directeur,' Am
supposed to have an infectious dis
ease?"
Its incredible!"
And. little later, when NJ. de La
Borderie went up to NJ. Richard, didnt
you see NJ. Moncharmin fling himself
between them and hear him exclaim
NJ fambassadeur. | entreat you mo-
to touch NJ. lie directeur?"
It's terrible, And wha
was Richard doing meanwhile?"
What was he doing? Why. yor
saw him! He turned about, bowed
in front of him. though there was no
body In front of him. and withdrew
| backward"
Backward"
And Moncharmin. behind Richard