Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-19

myers ana nOld them on the lips they haQ
scarcely touched But the impulse was lost
in the thrill of seeing the dining room door
thrown open and great bulk of a man cross
the floor of the office and stand beside
BANDS chair AT his side was thin wait
who had not unjustly been termed the
Mayor of Reuton's shadow.
"Asleep!' beloved the big man. "How's
this for a watch dog, Lou?'
Right on the job, amt hc??" sncered the
thin one.
Bland started suddenly from slumber and
looked up into the eyes OF the newcomers.
Hello, Cargan," he said Hello, Lou. For
the love of Heaven, don't shout so! The
place is full of them
Full of what?' asked the Mayor
"Of spoilers, maybe-1 don't know what
they are. There's an old highbrow and a
fresh young guy and two women
"People!' gasped the Mayor. People
here?"
"Sure."
you're asleep, Bland
mo I'm not Cargan," cried the haber-
dasher. look around for yourself"
Cargan leaned weakly against chair.
"Wcll, what do you know about that?' he
said. "And they kept telling me Baldpate
Inn was the best place-say, this is one on
Andy Rutter. Why didn't you get it out
and beat it?"
"How could II" Bland asked. 81 haven't
got the combination. The safe was left open.
That was the agreement with Rutter."
"You might have 'phoned us not to come"
remarked Lou, with an uneasy glance around.
Cargan hit the mantelpiece with his huge
fist "By Heaven, no!' he cried: I'LL lift it
from under their very noses. I've done 1t
before: | can do it now. | don't care who
they are. They can't touch me. amt afraid"
AvA his companions car, 81 think I'll 60
down and greet our guests" He felt her
grasp his arm suddenly, as though in fear;
but he shock off her hand and debonairly
descended to the group below
"Good evening, Gentlemen, he said
suave1y. "Welco1ne to Baldpate! Please
don't attempt to explain-we'r fed up on
explanations now. You have the fifth key,
of course. Welcome to our small but grow
ing circlc!"
The big man advanced threateningly.
Magce saw that his face was very red, his
neck very thick, but his mouth cute little
Cupid's bow that might well have adorned
a baby in the park.
"Who are you?" beloved the Mayor of
Reuton, in tone meant to be covering.
lOIScI, ltpilCu NhetSSC Ssioly. Didiiei,
who am today,-the cast-off lover of Ara
bella, the fleeing artist, or the thief Of por
traits from a New York millionaire's home?
Really, it doesn't matter. We shift our
stories from time to time. AS the first of the
Baldpate hermits, however, it is my duty to
welcome you, which hereby do"
The Mayor pointed dramatically to the
stair 81 give you fifteen minutes" he
reared, ito pack up and get out! l don't
want you here. Understand"
To Cargan's side came the Sinking figure
of Lou Max. His face was the withered vel
low of an old lemon; his garb suggested shop
windows on dirty side streets; unpleasant
eyes shifted behind a pair of gold-rimmed
glasses. His attitude was that of the dog
that crouches by its master.
"Clear Quit" he snarled.
"By no MEANS" replied Alagee, looking
the Mayor squarely in the eye. Il was here
first. I'm here to stay. Put me out, will
you? Well, perhaps, after fight. But I'd
be back in an hour, and with me whatever
police Upper Asquewan Falls owns to-"
He saw that the opposing force wavered.
81 want no trouble, Gentlemen he went
on. Believe me, shall be happy to have
your company to dinner. Your command
that withdraw is i'll timed, not to say i'll