The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-07-26

At half past l. Norton entered the knick-
erbocker cafe-restaurant. and the first per-
son he noticed was Braine, reading the
mornings paper. propped up against the
water carafe. Evidently he had just
dered. for there was nothing his plate.
Norton walked over and laid his hand upon
Braine's shoulder. Tho man looked up with
mild curiosity.
Why, Norton. SIT down, sit down! Have
you had lunch? MOI Join me"
Thanks Came Ia for my breakfast"
said Norton, drawing ont the chair. Brains
was sitting with his back to the wall the
lounge-~eat
\ wonder II you newspaper men ever
eat real true enough breakfast I should
think the hours you lead would kill you off.
Anything new on the Hargreave story?"
I'm not handling that the reporter lied
eheerfully Didn't want to. l knew him
rather intimately. I've horror of dead peo-
pie, and don't want TO be called upon to iden-
tify the body when they find TT
Then you think they will find IT."
al don't know. It's a strange mixup.
I'm not on the story, mind you; but
in the locality of nuTys warehouse tate
last night and fell into 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 1t? The report In this paper
does not gay"
" Ten thousand bags Of coffee"
Braine lay back In his chair and laughed
" II you want my opinion" said Norton
al believe the gunner were out to shoot up
another gang. and the police got wind of It."
Don't you think 1t about time the police
called halt in this gunman matter?"
90, 10 long as they pot each other the
polics look the other way. It saves long
trial and passage up the river Besides,
whenever they ars robbed some big politician
manages TO open the door for them Great
Is the American voter"
Take Mr. Nortons order. Luigi" said
Braine.
A German pancake, buttered toast, and
coffee" ordered the reporter.
'Man. eat something"
a." It's enough for me-"
"And you'll go all the rest Of the day on
tobacco ] know something of you chaps. I
iont see how you manage to do it'
Food ia the least of our troubles. By
the way, may | ask you few questions?
Nothing for print unless you've got new
hook coming"
Fire away"
what do you know about the Princess
Perigof?"
LET me see. HIN. Met her first about
a year ago at a reception given to Nssimova.
very attractive woman. l see quite
lot of her. Why?"
Wen, she claims to be Il sort of aunt to
Hargreavs's daughter"
She said something to 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
1.-The president visits town today and I'm
off to watch the show. | suppose III have
10 interview him about the tariff and all that
rot When you start on q new book let ma
know and I'll be your press agent"
That's bargain"
Thanks for the breakfast"
Braine picked up his newspaper. smoked
and read. He smoked, yes, but he only pre-
tended TO read The young fool was clever.
but no man is infallible. He had not the
least suspicion; he saw only the newspaper
story. Still, In some manner be might stumble
upon the TRUTH and It would be Just as wen
to tie tho reporters hands efectuaIly.
The rancor OF early morning had been sub
dued anger and quick temper never paid In
the long rum and no appreciated this
fact better than Braine. To put Norton out
of the way Temporarily was only wise pre-
caution; 1t not q matter of spite or
reprisa
He paid the reckoning, left the restaurant.
and dropped into of his clubs for a 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 It that Olga had
really married that old dotard, Perigof He
had left her titled widow six months after
her marriage But she had had hardly q
kopeck to call her
Olga, Hargreave Is alive. He was there
last night But somehow he anticipated the
raid and had the police in waiting. The
question is, has he fooled usf Did he take
that million or did he hide tit There is one
thing left; TO get that girl No matter where
Hsrgreave is hidden, the knowledge that she
Is in my hands will bring him out into the
open"
" No more blind alleys"
whats on your mind?"
=" She has never seen her father. She con-