Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-04

q n
lIEkI The mayor of Reuton, who
had been doZins; near the desk.
stirred.
Miss Norton rose and assembled the
stairs Still the protesting Magee was
at her heels. At the head of the stairs
she turned.
You shall have your final chance,
she said. The mayor. Max and Bland
are alone in the office. don't approve
of eavesdropping at Baldpate in the
summer. Ii has spoiled lot OF per-
fectly adorable engagements. But in
winter it's different. Whether you
really want to help me or not. I'm sure
don't know, but If you do the con-
versation below now might prove of
interest"
I'm sure it would MaGee agreed.
well. l have scheme. Listen.
Baldpate inn is located in temper
ance county. That doesn't mean that
people don't drink here. 1t simply
means that there's n lot of mystery
and romance connected with the drink
ing Sometimes those who follow the
god of chance in the card room late at
night grow thirsty. Now. it happens
the card room. up which drinks are
frequently passed from the cellar.
Isn't that exciting? A hotel clerk who
became human once in my presence
told me all about it. If you went into
the cellar and hunted about you might
find that door and climb up into the
card ROOM"
a bully idea" agreed Mr.. Magee.
III hurry down there this minute.
I'm more grateful than you can guess
for this chance And this time-but
you'll see"
Magee hurried to the cellar and with
the aid of box of matches found Il
ladder leading TO door cut in the
floor above. He climbed through dust
and cObwebs. unfastened the catch
and pushed cautiously upward. In an
other minute he was standing in the
chill little card room. Softly he open
ed the card room door about half an
inch and put his ear TO it.
The three men were grouped very
close at hand. and he heard Mr.. Bland
speaking in low tones:
I'm talking to you boys as a friend.
The show is over. There amt no use
hanging around for the concert-there
won't be none. Go home and get some
clean collars and n square meal"
IF you think I'm going TO be shook
off by any fairy story like that" said
the mayor of Reuton. you're child
with all Il child's touching faith"
'All right" replied Mr.. Bland. II
thought Id pass you the tip. that's all.
1t amt nothing to me what you do.
But it's all over. and you've lost out
I'm sorry you have, but L take Hay
den's ORDERS
Dash Hayden" snarled the mayor
1T was his idea to make Il three act
play out OF this thing. He's RESPONSE
bic for this silly trip to Baldpate. This
audience we've been acting for-he let
us in for them"
Il know" said Bland. But you
can't deny that Batlpate inn looked
like the ideal spot at first-secluded.
or the beaten path, you know. and all
that"
Yes" sneered the mayor, las Sc
Guided as a Sunday school the Sunday
before Christmas"
We'll. who could have guessed it:''
went on Mr. Bland. AS 1 say. don't
care what you do. l just passed you
the tip. I've got that nice little pack
age Of the long green. I've got it
where you'll never find it,"
How did you get hold of it," in
Iuired Mr.. Lou Max.
Il had my eye on this little pro-
lessor person." explained Mr.. Bland.
This morning when Magee went up
the mountain l trailed the highbrow
10 Magee'S room. When | busted in,
by the butler. he was
making his getaway. | don't like Is |
ak about what followed. He's an
Did man. and l sure didn't mean to /
break his glasses nor scratch his dome |
II thought. There's ideas I'm that dome |
20 back 10 the time of Anthony j. !
Chaucer. But-he'S always talking 1
lbout that literature chair OF his |
Why couldn't lie stay at home and sit |
n it: Anyhow, ! got the bundle all |
light. all right. | wonder what the |
little fossil wants with it."
The Docs glasses was broke" said |
Wax. evidently 10 the mayor of Reu- |
on.
''Um-m." came Carran's voice
"Biand, how much do you make WORT
ing for this nice. kind gentleman. Mr..
Hayden:"
''oh. about $1,000 year. with pick
ngs," replied Bland.
"Ies:" went on Mr.. Cargan. IL
lint no Charles Dana Gibson with
words, My talks little rough and
iketchy. | guess. But here's the out
inc. plain as | can make ii. TWO
thousand wear from Hayden. Tween
v thousand ia two seconds il you hand
hat package to me"
NO objected Bland. I've been