The Washington times., 1913-02-18
CHAPTER vi.
Curtain!

n T OTHING would satisfy Max but
mi that Whitaker should dine with
i him. He consented to drop him
at the Ritz-Carlton, In oroer
that he might dress, only on the condi-
ton that Whitaker would meet him at
in the white room at the Knicker-
booker.
Just mention my name to the head
waiter, he said, with magnifcence or
II I'm there first you can't help seeing
me. Everybody knows my table-the
little one in the southeast corner"
Whitaker promised, suppressing a
smile; evidently the hat was not the
only popularity of Mr.. Hammersteins 6
that Max had boldly made his own.
Max surprised him by a shrewd di-
vination of his thoughts Il know
what you're thinking" he volunteered.
shadowing his pudgy countenance
but. really. my dear fellow. it's good
business You get people into the habit
Of saying, There's Max's table, and
thinking of Max's theater and Max's
stars. AS a matter of fact, l run an
immense advertising plant with dra-
matte annex
You are AN immense advertisement
all by your lonesome" Whitaker agreed,
with a tolerant laugh, rising as the car
drew in before the entrance to his ho-
tel --..--..
seven ociock-you wont IAN me
Max persisted. Really, you know, I'm
doing you an immense favor-dinner-
4 seat In my private box at Sara Laws
oh. i'm thoroughly impressed. -
Whitaker assured him, stepping out Of
the car. "But tell NEON the level.
now--why this staggering condescen-
sion?'' --.-- ..----.
Max looked him over as ne paused on
the sidewalks tall. loosely built figure,
~. ~k.l oil
sense of carelessness, his head on one
side. and a twinkle of amusement In MS
eyes. The twinkle was momentariiy re-
fected in the managerial gaze as ne re-
piled with an air Of impulsive candor:
"One never can tell when the most
unlikely looking material may prove
useful. I may want TO borrow money
from you before long. IL l put you un-
der sufficient obligation TO me, you
can't well refuse. Shoot, James!
The latter phrase was MaxS way OF
ordering his driver 10 get along. The
car snorted resentfully, then pulled
smoothly and swiftly away. Max
waved a jaunty farewell with lemon
colored hand over the back Of the ton
neau.
Whitaker went up TO his room in a re-
nectfve mood, In which the theatrical
man had little place and began leisure
~ to prepare his person for ceremoni-
ous clothing-preparations which at first
tam finding a pipe and sitting down to
stare out of the window. He was in no
hurry-he had still az hour and a halt
before he was due at the Knickerbocker
and the afternoons employment had
furnished him with a great deal Of
thought-stimulating material.
Since his arrival in New York he had
fallen into the habit of seeking the view
> from his window when In mediative
humor. The vast sweep of quilted roofs
ererted an almost hypnotic attraction
for his eyes. They ranged southwark to
the point where vision failed against the
false horizon of dull, amber haze. Late
sunlight threw level rays athwart the
town. gliding towering westerly walls
sno striking fire from al their windows.
Between tnen. like deep blue crevas sses
ran the gIidironed streets. The air was
royeless yet sonorousiy thrilled with
symphonic roar. Above the golden haze
drift Of light cloud was burning an
eIcr-deeper pink against the vault Of
robin's-esg blue
A. view of 1909 roofs. inexpressibly
enchanting. Somewhere-perhaps
lin that weIter of steel and stone, as
eternal and restless az the sea, Gas the
woman Whitaker had married. working
out her lonely destiny. haphazard
biscuit tossed from his window might
her, He might aearch for hundred
years and never cross her path.
He wondered.
More practically he reminded himself
not TO forget TO write to Mrs. Petit.
He must try to get the name of the
firm of private detectives she had en-
ployed, and her permission TO pump
. them; IL might help him TO learn the
quarters wherein they had failed.
And he must make an early oppor-
tunity to question Drummond more
closely; not that he anticipated that
Drummond knew anything more than
he had already disclosed-anything real
ly helpful. .... ...#
HIS thoughts shifted to dwell tenn