The Washington herald., 1915-07-11
THE METEORIC ADVENTURES OF COk1EON CHARLEY
Sure, Toe. There's the fleas."

,
Croakville. We ought to help hin
check his trunk"
by George" said Charley. "Gues:
you're right. Call the car"
Mr.. Teeters crossed to the tele
phone and called up the garage. Thu
livery yellow touring car in which
he had burst upon the astonishet
eyes of Broadway a few weeks bach
was now thing to jest about:
memory only. For Mr.. Carter hat
become the owner OF Ybig sixty
whose hue would pale ripe tomato
into dim obscurity.
There was a knock at the door and
he swung about and opened it.
A stout man stood in the doorway
bowling apologetically. His face. was
! smooth and well featured, and hi.
! clothes could have been worn by q
banker with credit to himself and his
tailor.
II beg pardon" said this gentle
man pleasantly. MY name is Her
bert Nuckels!'
He advanced little into the room
and looked ;nquiringly at the prize
fighter. Charley made the introduc-
ton.
Mr. Link" said he. with a wave
of the hand. Have a chair"
Mr.. Nuckels came still farther
forward and helped himself to a seat
His eyes fingered for bare instant
on the letter which Mr.. letters had
thrown on the center table.
81 took the liberty OF coming up
unannounced." he apprised Mr.. Car
ter. My errand has to go with let
tcr--a special delivery, from Mr..
Jonas Hogg.'
Charley and Mr.. Link involuntarily
glanced at the letter. Mr.. Teeters
was staring open mouthed at the
speaker.
"Oh, you have received it. I see"
went on Mr.. Nuckels blandly. 81
thought had allowed it time enough
to get to YOU
a say" said Charley, talk turkey.
Busy"
"I'll detai< you only a moment"
Mr.. Nuckcls assured him. "Hogg
wrote 10 you about the feas. of
course. | CHANGED TO be in the
Espanola's office when he sent the
letter down, and saw the address.
That's how I'm here. | would like
to know what Hogs proposition
IS"
At this Mr.. Link broke his silence.
He leaned forward and addressed Mr.
Nuckcls with a consideration quite
foreign to his usual manner
MAYBE you won't mind telling us,
colonel. where YOU come in on this
flea layout? You'll allow it's only a
fair question. seeing as we haven't
met YOU much before today. Is Hogg
friend of yours"
Friend" Mr. Nuckels expelled
the word from his interior with bit
ter sarcasm. "Friend2 He's a trail
tor, sir. He's trying to do me out of
my interest in those heasw
BY George" said Charley.
Mr.. Nuckels made a deprecating
movement with his hand.
oh. he's not a crook. Hogg isn't"
he demurrcd. 81 spoke too hastily.
perhaps. He'll play straight enough
with YOU. But he's cutting. up with
me. | staked him to his trip to Suez
and down the Red Sea. where he got
the feas. Cost me $4,000; and now
he claims I'm only due a third inter-
est. He says he's ruined his health.
and shortened his life, and is entitled
to more than me-"
Got any papers to show" de-
mandcd Charley.
Unfortunately, no. It's nv word
against his"
"Ha!" interposcd Mr. Teeters.
c amt seen him yet"
MIR. Carter ignored this Interrupt
ton.
The fcas. What about them All
night he inquired of Mr.. Nuckels.
The ficas:' Mr.. Nuckcls' voice
took on note OF fervor. "Thev are
wonderful. The rarest specimens in
the world. Nothing like them in anv
OF the colleetions. Why, sir, they
arc pricclcss."
Charley got up, and stepping to
the table took from it Mr.. Hogs
letter. He ran his eye over it. Mr.. |
Link and Mr.. Tceters watched him |
closely. Ec was acting curiouslv, it !
seemed to them.
"Hogg says he's got lung trouble.
Hernorrhagcs," Charley mentioned
casually.
what: He says that" Mr.. Muck
"Why," he scoffcd, "Hogg must |
be crazy to tell you that. His lungs
are good as mine. He has heart
REPRESENTATIVES. enlargement. And
that's the mischief of it; his nurse
wont let me talk with him. She saws
any violent emotion will kill him.
I'm up stump. Can't move one way
or the other. and l want your help"
Charley held out his hand.
Shake" he said. you're straight.
Here's Hogg's proposition"
He Offered Mr.. Nuckels the letter
and grlnned at Mr.. Link. who chuck
led his appreciation OF the bit OF
strategy.
sit is as l thought" Nuckels OBJ
served. Jonas has the idea that I'm
trying to get his flcas away from
him. He's wrong. only want a
square deal"
Fair" said Charley.
Are you going to see him." ques-
toned Mr.. Nuckels.
Sure" said Charley. Right away"
Are you going to keep the feas
for him."
Can't say" answered Charley. DE
ponds"
Mr.. Nuckels frowned to himself.
Then he said, speaking earnestly:
Jonas is dickering with some
body. but can't find out who. He'll
want the fleas back when he's ready
TO close the deal. Let me know when