The Clio messenger., 1914-12-18
By NINA WILCOX PUTNAM
Copyright by Bobbs-M Merrill Coz

"All right" replied Lovejoy, I'VE
might try the back room at Murphy's
or Spikey Joe's place"
"Good!" said Pedro promptly, hus-
tling them out before Pell could reach
them. This escape did not, however.
prevent the morning papers from bear
ing an account Of how Signor e. c..
Pedro, the noted Spanish painter, went
Summing in disguise.
1t was to the little unnamed wine
cellar known as "Spikey Joe's" that
the rescue party went next. Here the
very scum of the docks was gathered,
and the women were of kind one
never sees by daylight. There were
thieves and pickpockets, dancing and
amusing themselves just as though
they were human; and sickly-faced
young men whose profession is un-
namable; a terrible group of weary
young people, calloused, yet sensation
hungry. The three companions had
scarcely entered before 1t became evil
dent that here at least was a place
in which Hill had been. for a girl with
flaming cheeks and an unbelievable
coiffure turned and pointed to the bear,
with a scream.
There's a Teddy" she called out.
"a cute little Teddy-bear. just like the
other guy had.
Dancing a bear must be - OF
swell business!" she remarked.
you've got the coin, amt you, sweet
| hAo ~ eh etr
hand to touch his face.
Pedro had her glass refilled.
Tell us about the other bear-fel-
low" he suggested. I'D like to know
who my rival is."
Sure, Cutie. I'll tell you," she
smiled. But all she had to say was
that a nice, fresh feller presumably
HilD had been there three days ago,
had made his bear perform, got no
money for 1t, and had gone away
peaceably. When 1t was clear that
neither she nor anyone else there
could give him any further informa.
ton, Pedro arose and signaled the 9th
ers to do likewise.
Now 1t happened that they soon
came upon q portion Of the one-sided
street where the walk had been torn
up, and perforce they had to cross the
cobblestones beside the water. Here
we're some covered piers, and beside
one Of them Pedro stopped the trio
that he might light cigarette. Beau.
Jean followed suit, and Lovejoy, say.
ing that he had promised Lola not to
smoke, shook his head, and stood look
ing up at the semicircular sign above
the dock entrance.
Venezuela Fruit Steamship Com
pany."
He spelled 1t aloud slowly.
A strange expression crept over Pc
dro's face as he listened.
Let us look at the boat that goes
to that glorious country!" he said i'm
pulsively. And they began moving
toward the ill-lit entrance. The gates
were open, and In the dim light some
men were working about the hold. As
they approached they saw that small
corrugated iron house, story and a
half in height, was jammed up against
the dock; the watchman's dwelling
perhaps, or the company's Offices.
what the devil do you want to &c
nosing around here for?" complained
Lovejoy. "The cold is something
ferce!"
"Just a moment!" pleaded Pedro. 81
love that country so-venezuela!"
whats he up TOT" Lovejoy whis
pered to the giant. But before Beau
Jean could reply a lot of things began
to happen.
In the absorption Of the moment Pc
dro had slackened his hold upon Mr.
Jones' chain, and the bear, giving q
sudden tug, found himself free, and
bounded off toward the little CORFU
gated iron house, some twenty feet
away, and at once began scratching
frantically upon the door that opened
upon its porch. Instantly the three
men ran after him.
Come here, you bear!" yelled Love
; Joy.
, Don't! Let him alone!" cried Pc
dro. What on earth could the erea
tures action mean? Then knowledge
= CdIue W ulIIl III u udbu, duu running u
the door at which Mr.. Jones was now
shifting and giving little growls of Joy
he put his ear to the panel. Holding
; up hand which warned the others tc
silence, he spoke in a distinct but
quiet voice.
Are you there. Sam Hill?"
After q breathless pause. as II oi
unbelief on the part Of the occupant
of the room beyond, came the answer
Yes; who are your
Pedro" was the reply. Are you
prisoner?"
"Yes!" said the voice Of Hill. GOOD
heavensl how did you come to find
The rest OF the sentence was lost In
a shout for help from Lovejoy; there
was a sudden sound of scufiing. and
Pedro. turning to his aid. was met by
blow on the head from q burly fist
CHAPTER xiv.
To the Rescue.
/