Tombstone epitaph., 1915-08-29

o8uCo uico out Inc green stone or Csrtes was safely slowed in his pocket.
 He drove at once to the Iturbide Hotel. where bis suitcase had been sent. and engaged a room for himself and his friend-a pal of his dressed as a woman. he explained to the clerk. who thought it a good joke that the man in the woman's wig had got dead drunk and was just coming to with the rays of dawn.
 Christopher Poe. having fortified himself with the short nap on his ride to Mexico City. sat up and waited while the masker regained conscious ness, slipped on into slumber. and partly repaired the liquor stupor he had been in. Then Poe awakened him gently. told him how he came to be there. and asked abruptly:
 How much did you think the Ma. tional Museum here would give you for the skull and the gold and silver plates engraved with proofs showing that in the casket from which they were torn reposed the real remains of Cortes?"
 The fellow looked up stupidiy. and answered in American:
 T guess you've got the whole dope. if you even know what I stole it for "
 T certainly have. Wait a moment. I'll sketch it to you. Some native told you that it was surmised around Catorce that Cortes was buried some. where there. You went up and inves. tigated. pretended to be a miner You got on the trail of the fact that 1t was in the old safe at Senor Terranovas . office. You bribed a peon to help you. with a glass ring or something easily swallowed by the gullible fellow"
 How'd you guess that?"
 That's what you gave the mule boy for taking you down to the rail road station in hurry. after you'd pulled ofi the trick and hidden the skull in that false-bottomed water. bottle which looked as though it couldn't possibly take in anything larger than hickory nut through tha, small opening at the top"
 You've got mel" cried the prisoner dropping back limp on the bed. and holding his head between his hands But how'd I work the combination on that safe which held old Cortes? I've got you there,"
 "Oh. mo-" answered Poe with . re served smile. That is just as evident to me as the fact that you couldn't re. sist coming down to the carnival, picking up gay girl, and in the ex. citement of the dance promising to give her the chalchih litl. the worth of which here in Mexico you probably un. derestimated. passing your hopes en. tirely on selling th, skull of Cortes to the government for several thou sand pesos"
 Your logic isn't nalf bad" answer. ed the reckless fellow. suddenly leap- ing to his feet and jerking out a thin stiletto. his belt buckle serving as a handle for the cleyerly contrived weapon sheated in the leather girdle that supported his trousers.
 Poe. unprepared and unarmed. sprang to his feet, and watched the fellow closely, nervously lingering his coat lapel.
 With a maniacal glint in his slit. like eyes. the thief snarled. his teeth barring partly between his thin, wom. anish lips.
 T entertained you this morning by dancing like girl and letting you knock me out; now suppose you amuse me by stepping into that snug little clothes-closet behind you and pretend. ing you're a mummy. while I walk downstairs and out of the front door?"
 Christopher Poe did not turn to look behind at the closet door; his upper lip ierked in a sneering smile.
 Don't be foolish," he said calmly. You aren't going to get away"
 What do you mean?" screamed the other. Another blun. You can't fool me, Same line of talk you gave me about knowing how I worked that safe"
 'Oh. that's too small a matter to mention. I was going to give you . chance to reform, but I guess you aren't decent enough sort to waste ones time on.'
 The stocky little man twisted his womanish waist, thrust forward his full chest. and leaped on Poe, the stiletto aimed for his breast
 Poe stood steady ia the path of the stroke, but as the blade descended, quick as a flash he 1erked the slender embroidery needle from his coat lapel, and thrust it deep into the cheek of his adversary. A screa,a of pain. and the stiletto dropped from . paralyzed hand.
 "Caoron, You dirty srinso." cried the thief
 Poe simply ripped him backward onto the bed from which he had leap ed with the drawn dagger; he held the crimson-tipped needle before the slit like eyes of the criminal, his hand trembling slightly with anger.
 There. you fool." he exclaimed with unusual warmth. You would have it It's your own needle. l found it where you dropped it when you pull. ed it out of the upper skin cs your ton. gue back there at Senor Terranova's safe. hope you don't think I'm such a fossil that don't know that a pro