Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-11-10
BY EARL DERR BIGGERS
Copyright by Bobbs Merrill Coz

haberdasher. came out of the black
ness. THE Goddess of Liberty, as
livel whats your next imitation?'
There seems to be something do
ing" said Mr.. Magee.
Mr.. Bland came into the light, par
TALLY disrobed. his revolver in his
hand.
Somebody trying to get in by the
front door" he explained. 81 shot at
him to scare him away. Probably one
of YOUR noVelists.
"Or Arabella," remarked Mr.. Ma
gee. coming down.
No" answered Bland. Il distinct
lv saw derby hat"
With Mr.. Magee descending the
yellow candelight, and brushing
aside the shadows of the hotel office,
1t revealed a mattress living on the
floor close to the clerks desk, behind
which stood the safe. On the mat
tress was the bedding Magee had
presented to the haberdasher, hastily
thrown back by the loyelorn one on
rising.
"You prefer TO sleep down here. !"
Mr. Magee commented.
Near the letters of Arabella-
yes" replied Bland. His keen eyes
met Magee's. There was a challenge
in them.
Mr.. Magee turned, and the yellow
light of the candle fliekered wanly
over the great front door. Even as
he looked at it. the door was pushed
open. and a queer figure of man
stood framed against a background of
glittering snow. Mr.. BANDS arm flew
up.
Don't shootl'' cried Magee.
mo, please don't" urged the man in
fha doorxvnM 4 heard "a mir of
round owlisl1 spectacies and two ridicu-
lous ear-muffs, left only suggestion
of face here and there. He closed the
door and stepped into the room. 81
have every right here, assure you,
even though my arrival is somewhat
unconventional See--i have the
key He held up large brass key
that was the counterpart of the one
Hal Bentley had bestowed upon Mr..
Magee in that club on far-off Forty
fourth street.
keys to burn" muttered Mr.. Bland
sourly.
81 bear no ill will with regard to
the shooting" went on the newcomer.
He took off his derby hat and ruefully
regarded a hole through the crown.
His bald head seemed .singularly
frank and naked above a face of so
many DISCUSSES. 1T is only natural
that men alone on mountain should
defend themselves from invaders at
two in the morning. My escape was
narrow, but there is no i'll will
He blinked about him, his breath a
white cloud in the cold room.
life. young gentlemen" he re-
marked, setting down his bag and
leaning green umbrella against 1t,
has it's surprises even at sixty-two.
Last night / was enSconced by my
own library fire, preparing a paper on
the Pagan Renaissance. Tonight l
am on Baldpate Mountain, with a per-
| foration in my hat
Mr. Blapd shiyered. I'm going
back to bed lie said in disgust.
First" went on the gentleman with
| the perforated derby. permit me TO
introduce myself. | am Professor
Thaddeus Bolton, and l hold the chair
| of comparative literature in big
Eastern university"
Mr.. Magee took the mittened hand
of tho professor.
"Gld to sec you. I'm sure, he said.
MY name is Magee. This is Mr..
Bland--he is iinpetuous but estimable.
/ trust you will forgive his first sa-
| lutte. What's a bullet among gentle-
men? 1t seems to meas explanations
may be lengthy and this room is very
cold, we would do well to so up To my
! room. where there is q fire.
Delighted" cried The old man.