The Washington herald., 1913-10-12
CHAPTER I.
An Unexpected Meeting.

The day was a beautiful one in early
autumn. Everybody in New York
seemed to be on the streets, enjoying
the last few days of warm weather
and shivering a bit at the thought OF
winter.
Down Fifth Avenue sauntered Paul
Van Der Pool, richly dressed, his man.
ner and appearance proving him to be
connoisseur in life's good things
Instead of refreshing him, the waning
season made him thoughtful, for on
rising that morning he had found his
bank account overdrawn 500.
1t was the $500 that I gave COgs-
we'll for that little South American
vacation that did it," Mr.. Van Der Pool
told himself musingly.
AS he sauntered down the avenue he
suddenly Strengthened his shoulders
and smiled. But it was worth it"' he
murmured half aloud, as he thought
Of the counterfeiter. Poor old fellow;
his work is very confining."
At Twenty-sixth Street Mr.. Van Der
Pool paused and cast his eyes over the
green of Madison Square Park, the
trees all but leafiess; all the flowers
gone.
A passing face abruptly reminded
him of an old friend, Dick Hatfield,
who lived in modest rooming-hOuse
in Third Avenue, near Twenty-fifth
Street Having heard nothing of his
improvident friend for nearly year
Mr.. Van Der Pool strolled across to
Third Avenue and located the house.
4 neatly dressed young man with
large, somber eyes. which suggested
disappointment and hunger, was just
opening the door of the respectable,
but cheap, roOming- house as Mr.. Van
Der Pool walked up the steps and
pressed the bell.
He looked inquiringly at the New
Yorker and Mr.. Van Der Pool asked:
is there a man named Hatfield living
here
"I believe not. I haven't been here
long myself" answered the younger man
with conscious flush as he recognized
in Mr.. Van Der Pool a gentleman of his
own kind who seldom had any business
at such an obscure place. IN ask he
finished with pleasant smile, as he
stepped inside.
4 minute later he returned to an
uounce that Hatfield had left four
months before, leaving no address.
Mr.. Van Der Pool looked sharply at
his informant. thanked him and started
down the steps Suddenly he turned and
looked hack. Summing up the man on
the porch in a careful scrutiny, Mr.. Van
der Pool read plainly the meaning of
the look In his eyes and remarked in
low tone: You're hungry. How long
since you've had something to eat?"
The pale faced fellow flushed, drew
himself up proudly and stammered: mo,
I'm all right. thank you. Just down on
my luck. That's all.
1--WE been there" said Mr.. Van Der
Pool, stepping back to the side of the
emaciated chap and placing a hand on
his arm persuasively. Look here; I'm
just going for a little lunch. I wish
you'd join me"
The eyes of the other frightened and
his hand went out impulsively to grasp
Mr. Van Der Pools. You've outguessed
me- he said. Il didn't know I looked
hungry. But am. Yesterday wasn't
That's the trouble with a big city. One
day you're on top and the next day
you're way at the bottom. Lies a funny
puzzle: it would take a chap smarter
than old Sam Lloyd himself to get the
right answer to that great riddle"
You're right. One day it's pate de
fois gras and the next day plain liver
and bacon,'' laughed Mr.. Van Der Pool.
Worse than that. If I only had the
price of the liver and bacon I'd pass up
the goose pates."
other quiZZically.
story. don't believe I would have
told it to any one else, but you seem
the right sort"
Come along with me-" offered Mr..
Van Der Pool promptly, as If he had
81 900 with him; but he consciously
pressed the two 81 bills in his pocket
and tried to think of place where he
could get a respectable meal for that
price.
Il must return the favef. later. if I |
accept"
Yes. understand perfectly" an
swered Mr. Van Der Pool. Nobody can
tell what day he'll be on the rocks and |
It's always been a rule Of mine to eat |
three times a day when 1 Mad the price. |
I'm hungry now, and you're coming with |
me because I want company"
That's an awfully decent way for you !
10 put it. Nobody could refuse such an |
lffer," replied the other, accompanying |
mis- new found friend to a neat, unpre-
.entious restaurant, where they sat to- /
gether over a good beef steak and care
fully avoided all the trimmings of the
Inner.
The luckless young man sat back with
satisfied smile after the hearty meal.
Finally he leaned forward and grasped /
dr Van Der Pools hand
you're the real thing" he said. I'm
mighty glad I met you. outside of the i