The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-07-15

q his weary less could carry him He IL
ways carried the key. Oncs in his room he
donned fresh wearing apparel. linen. shoes.
and shaved Then he proceeded downstairss
the second hand hat still shading his eyes
and the upper part Of his face.
At half past II Norton entered the Knick-
erbocker cafe-restaurant. and the inst per
son be noticed was Braine, reading the
mornings paper, propped mp against thu
water carafe. Evidently he had just or
dered, for there was nothing ON his plata.
Norton walked over and laid his hand upon
Braine's shoulder. The man looked mp with
mild curiosity.
Why. Norton. sit down. sit down! Have
you had lunch7 No? Join me-"
Thanks Came in for my breakfast"
said Norton, drawing out the chair. Brains
was sitting with his back to the VAN on the
lounge-seat.
Il wonder Il you Newspaper men ever
eat real true enough breakfast. l should
think the hours You lead would kir you on
Anything new on the Harsreave story7"
:" I'm not handling that" the reporter lied
cheerfully. Didn't want to. 1 knew him
rather intimately. I've horror Of dead peo-
~bVS~ e
tify the body when they hnd it,
Then you think they win md lit"
i don't know. It's a strange mixup.
I'm mot the story, mind you: but was
in the locality of Duny's warehouse late
last night and fell into a gunman rumpus--
Yes. read about that What were they
after7"
You've got me there. No one seems to
know. Some cock and bull story about there
being something valuable. There was"
what was it? The report In this paper
does not say"
Ten thousand bags Of coffee"
Braine lay back in his chair and laughed
III you want my opinion" said Norton,
Il believe the gunner were out to shoot up
another gang, and the police got wind Of it."
Don't you think it about time the police
called . halt in this gunman matter7"
20. 20 long as they pot each other the
police look the other way. 1t saves long
trial and passage up the river. Besides.
whenever the. are robbed some big politician
Is the American voter"
"Taks Mr.. Norton's order, Luigi" said
Braine.
"A German pancake, buttered toast, and
coffee" ordered the reporter.
Man, eat something!" Z
'-ssIt's enough. Tor m&r s..
And you1l 60 all the rest Of the day on
tobacco y rssse~ chaps.
don't ses how you manage o. dssit"
FOOD 10 the least Of our troubles BY
the way, may L ask you few questions:
Nothing for print unless you've got new
book coming"
Fire away
What do You know about the Princess
Perisof?"
LET me go. HIM. Met her first about
q year ago at a reception given to Nasimova.
very attractive woman. quite .
lot Of her. Whyf"
"well, she claims to be q sort Of aunt to
Harsreaves daughter"
She said something to me about that the
other night. You never know where you're
at in this world, do your"
The German pancake. the toast, the coffee
disappeared, and the reporter passed his
cigars.
The president Visits town today and I'm
OF to watch the show. suppose I'll have
to interview him about the tariff and all that
rot. When you start a new book let me
know and III be your press agent"
That's bargain"
:" Thanks for the breakfast.~
Braine picked mp his newspaper, smoked
and read. He smoked. yes, but he only pre-
tended to read. The young fool was clever.
but no man IL infaIlible He had not the
least suspicion: he saw only the Newspaper
story. Still. in some manner he might stumble
upon the truth, and It would Be just - well
to tie the reporters hania e6ectually.
The rancor Of early morning had been sub
dued: anger and quick temper never paid in
the long run, and no one appreciated this
fact better than Braine. To put Norton out
Of the way temporarily was only . Wise pre-
caution: It was not . matter Of spite or
reprisal
He paid the reckoning, left the restaurant.
and dropped into one Of his clubs for game
Of billiards. He drew quite gallery about
the table. He won easily, racked his cue, and
sought the apartments Of the princess.
What piece Of luck II was that Olga had
really married that old dotard, Pesiso6! He