Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-09-02

Having been guided through q pleas
ant little reception room with several
heavy chairs and deep-napped car
pet. Poe was ushered into q large
square room, quite plain; representa-
tive office of busy America.
A gray-haired. thin-faced man Of in
determinate age sat ip a large square
chair before a rolltop desk. He was
alone, and looked up with quick, en-
gaging smile as Poe entered.
mr.. Hardy?" he said interrogative-
ly, with an English intonation. $50
glad to see you. Beastly hot tonight.
isn't it? I'd die II it weren't for the
| electric fans"
You've got fine place here" an
swered Christopher Poe, assuming the
rough good-fellowship Of the Ameri-
can show-manager. TITS as cool as
beer and as quiet as Rajputana."
"Oh, you been to India then.
and the de- p" queried Horton, mo-
tioning Poe to chair. and drawing up
his interestedly. as he dismissed the
servant with nod.
only once. thank goodness, and
you'll never get me there again." an
swered Poe. after the well-nigh inim-
liable manner OF your typical Ameri-
can business man who abhors q vaca-
ton and loathes change OF scene. be
1t outside OF his own country. First
time / made big stake. took my wife.
She liked 1t. Well, 1t wasn't SO bad.
Gave me lots Of good ideas for shows"
Born fakirs--the natives--aren't
they?" smiled the Englishman easily,
it being quite evident from his man
ner that he was sure OF his visitor,
and had sized him up for just what
Poe chose to be considered.
They're the best in the business .
answered Poe enthusiastically. Il
came all the way from Atlantic City
to look up troupe, and It's been an
awfully hot day. Haven't you got a
few to spare-a juggler or q snake
charmer?" @
"Oh, I might spare one or two. I've
quite number of them, but I could
only lease them to you: might need
them next season. you know"
"Oh, certainly. understand that
They don't care who they work for,
guess" replied Poe in the same
brusque manner. i've got friend
in the British Government service In
Calcutta. He says you've got to trea,
the natives as though they were dogs
He has bunch of them working fol
him, running printing-presses OF
something; says they're all right II
you knock 'em down once q day"
Indeed" smiled Horton, that's
about right. But I'm interested.
have friends in the government EN-
ploy over there. Perhaps I know this
chap You speak of; you say he's in
the British neutrality-suspicious."
Printing or something like that,
answered Poe His name Is Gerver
Hasn't been there long"
"Gerver, Gerver," repeated the
other, mo, can't say I've heard oil
him. Perhaps he's"
Got bit by q cobra once, had the
wound cauterized-"
Christopher Poe broke of abruptly
in his interruption as Horton stirred
in his chair and gave him q strange
look, at the same time the forefnger
OF his right hand twitched and crook
ed up convulsively. s.. ~
whats the matter? One bite you
too?' queried Poe, calling attention
to the others uneasiness.
Moves" said Horton. confused
Then he smiled quickly, as though re.
assuring himself. showed his right fore.
finger beneath Poe's gaze and cried:
Look! There's where one got me
I'll never forget it." Two small white
scars showed on the finger, close to
gether. sunk like pock-marks beneath
heavy callouses. The grooves in the
lower part Of Poe's face showed deer
for a moment; he took the finger, and
examined the scars carefully.
so that's the sign the cobra s
fangs leave!" he exclaimed. How'd
you get out of 1t alive?"
"Oh, he was a tame one, belonging
to one of my snake-charmers. Had
1 sASaa hsS RciooA ouSho AVAhSNCus SoAN
1t threw bally scare into me all the
| same"
Funny thing!" exclaimed Poe. jerk
ing a card from his vest-pocket, and
pressing the SCARED finger on the pre-
pared surface before Horton half real
ICED what was going on. In an in
slant Poe had returned the paper bear
ing the finger-print and drawn out the
five-dollar bill he had separated from
the original lot Of eounterfeits, hold
ing 1t so that Horton could plainly see
the finger-mark upon 1t. which had
first attracted Poe's attention.
Funny thing!" continued Poe. as
Horton stared at him blankly, jerking
away his finger and reaching for O
rear pocket. You must have fingered
this bill, Here's a mark exactly like
yours, scars the same: cailous from
handling the graver and all. sup
pose" .. .....
| Horton had leaped to his feet and
was glazing at Christopher Poe. eyes
starting horribly. Poe only smiled, sa,
tight, and waited.
"You--you-" Horton endeavored to
1 control himSoR Thar 10 ,o,rn1l