The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1914-03-11
- Author Of CRAUSTAKK," e.. -

~sooSSoooO0o
II suppose you arc wondering what
brings me here" he said, a. We
started toward the entrance to the
loggia. his arm through mine. Il do
not forget q promise. Mr.. Smart. You
may remember that | agreed to fetch
man from Munchen to look over
your line old frescoes and TO give you
an estimate. Well. he In here, the
very best man IN Europe"
Il am sure ] am greatly indebted to
you. Count" l said. but. after think.
ing II over fvc"----
Don't say that you have already
engaged some one to do the work." he
cried In horror. MY dear fellow,
don't tell me that! You are certain
to make n dreadful mistake 10 you
listen to any one but Schwartzmullcr.
lie Is the last word In rcstorations.
lie In the best bet. Ms you would say
In Now York. Any one else will
make u botch Of the work. You will
curse the day YOU
l checked him. Il have virtually
decided to let the whole matter go
over until next spring"
Just inside tho door we came upon
a pompous yet scrvile German who
could not by any means have been
mistaken for anything but tho last
word In restoration. I have never
seen any ono II my life whose APP
pearance suggested q more complete
state Of rehabilitation. His frock
coat was new, II had tho uufatIing
smell OF new wool freshly dyed: his
shoes were painfully new: his gloves
were new: his silk hat was rcsplcnd-
entity new: his fat jowl was shaved to
luminous pink; his gorgeous mus
tache was twisted up at the ends to
such degree that when he smiled the
poiuts wavered In front Of his eyes,
causing him to blink with nstonish-
mcnt. He was undeniably lressed up
for tho occasion. My critical eye,
however. discovered q pair Of we'll
worn striped trousers badly stained,
slightly frayed At the bottom and In
clined to bag outward at the kues.
Perhaps ] should have said that he
was dressed up from the knee.
This In the great Herr Schwartz
muller Of tho Imperial galleries In
Munchen." said the Count introduc.
ing US. ft.' .r..
The stranger bowed very profound
~ and at tho Same time extracted "a
business card from the tall pocket OF
his coat
In three languages the card an
nounced that hs was August
Schwartsmuilcr OF the Imperial GAL
leries. Munchen. Zumpe n Schwartz
muller. proprietors. RESERVATIONS IA
specially" There was much more.
hut did not have time TO read all of
II. Moreover. tho card was a trihs
soilcd. A. II II had been used bVfOre.
There could he no doubt NJ to his gen-
uinencss. He was an art expert.
Ene an tvnlntatoS g nllnavAI NhAs,N An
expatiate on the perils OF procrastt-
nation In the treatment OF rare old
ranvases and pigments. and then.
having formulated my plans. blandly
inquired what tho cost would bo 70
appears that Herr SchWartSmulleg
had examined the frescoes no longer
thhn six months before in the inter-
ests OF u New York gentleman TO
whom Count Hohendahl had tried to
sell them for u lump sum. Hsfwas
unable to recall the geatleman's name.
~ should say not moro than ono
hundred and fifty thousand marks.
perhaps less" said the expert. rolling
his caluculative eye upward and run
hall an II to ngure u out In yaHds
and inches.
Tho Count was watching mo with
an eager light In bis eyes. lie looked
away as ] shot . quick glance At his
face. The whole matter became N
clear as day TO me. He WAS TO rsceive
= handsome commission " the con-
tract was awarded. No doubt his
share would DO at least half OF the
amount stipulated. had ressoh to
believe that the work couli b. per-
formed at q profit for lesH than half
the figure mentioned by tho German.
% g.
nowsy." I said. rssorttng q unwor-
thy means. ~ have svery reason to
believe that Hohsndahi eol4 the orisi-
nails sometime ago, and had them re-
placed on the ceilings ny clsver I'm
ltations. They are not worth the
canvas they are painted on"
He started. I intercepted the swift
look Of apprehension that passed
from him to tho stolid 6chwArtxmul-
ler, whose face turned q shade reddsr.
Moreover. Count TarnowSy. you
Are fully aware OF all this."
my dear fellow
'T'il not waste words. You are .
scOundrel!"
lie measured the distance with his
BYE and then sprang swiftly forward.
biindly at my face.
knocked him down! l.,...
Schwartsmuller was near ths door.
looking over his shoulder - he felt
FOR ths GrSSat brass knob.
"Mein 0ott!" he beloved.
"Stop!" I shouted. Come back
here and take this fellow away with
you!"
Tarnowsy struggled to his fest and
laced me. Qu,vering with rage. I was
iumfounded to zee that he was not
covered with blood. But ne was Of
light, yeliowish green. I could scarce
" believe my eyes.
you shall pay for this" he cried.
The tears rushed 10 his eyes. "Cow-
ard! Beast! To strike . defense
less mani"
Ills hand went swiftly to his breast
pocket. and an instant later q small
revolver flashed into view. II was
hen that I did another strange and
thing. With the ut
most GOODNESS 7 stepped forward and
~rested II from his hand. I say
'trange and incomprehensible for the
'eason that he was pointing II direct
y at my breast. and yet had not the
sensation Of fear. He could
,ave shot me like q dog. ] never
wen thought Of that.
None OF that" I cried SHARPLY.
Now. will you be good enough to
ret out Of this house-and stay out r.
MY seconds will call on you"-
And they will receive Just what