New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1915-06-16

clicked behind. me. After the gloom of
the passageway the small brick paved
yard seemed brilliant with lights. Two
wires were strung it's length. dotted
with many electric lamps. In cor
ner striped tent stood out in gro
tesQue relief. 1t seemed to be empty.
and the weather was an easy explana-
ton. From the two story house be-
yond there came suddenly burst OF
piano music and none too steady
masculine voice. Hunter turned to me
with His foot on the wooden steps.
"Above everything else" be warn
ed, keep your temper. Nobody gives
a hang in here whether you're the
mayor of the town. the champion pool
player of the first ward or the rounds
man on the beat"
The door at the top of the steps was
also Yale locked. We stepped at once
into the kitchen. from which mag
ined that the house faced on another
street and that for obvious reasons
only its rear entrance was used. The
kitchen was bright and clean. 1t was
Uttered, however, with half cut loaves
of bread. glasses and empty bottles.
Over the range man in his shirt
sleeves was giving his whole attention
to a slice of ham sizzling on a skillet.
and at a table near by young fellow
with his hair cut in BARRIERS oval
over the back of his neck was spread
ing slices of bread and cheese with
mustard.
How are you. Mr.. Mayor" Hunter
said. "This is Mr.. Knox. the man
who's engineering the Star-Eagle
6ght'
The man over the range wiped one
greasy hand and held it out to me.
recognized the mayor He was
big fellow, handsome in a heavy way
and Tommy" to every one who knew
him. 1t seemed was about to see my
city government at play.
Hunter was thoroughly at home.
I'VE take care of ourselves here" he
explained. IF you want sandwich
there is cooked ham in the refrigerator
and cheese-if our friend at the sink
has left any. Get some cigars, will
you? They're on a shelf in the pan
try. l have my hands full"
l went for the cigars. remembering
to keep my eyes open. The pantry was
small room. 1t contained an icebox
stocked with drinkables. ham. eggs
and butter. On shelves above were
cards. cigars and liquors. and there.
too. l saw box with an Endorsement
which showed the "honor system of
the Cat club.
"sign checks and drop here,' it read.
and thought about the. old adage of
honor among thieves and politicians.
When l came out with the cigars
Hunter was standing with a group Of
new arrivals. They included one of
the city physicians. the director of pub
lie charities and judge of local
court. The latter, Merely, little
thin Irishman. knew me and accosted
me at once. The mayor was busy over
the range and was almost purple with
heat and unwonted anxiety.
When the three newcomers went up
stairs instead of going into the grill
room l looked at Hunter.
is this where the political game is
played?" I asked
Yes. if the political game is poker"
he replied.
What time do they close up?" I ask
ed. In answer Hunter pointed to a
sign over the door. 1t was card.
neatly printed. and it said. 1.-THE White
Cat Never Sleeps"
The crowd was good humored. It
paid little or no attention to us. and
when some one at the piano began to
thump waltz Hunter. under cover of
the noise. leaned over to me-
I'VE traced Fleming here through your
corner man and the cabby." he said
carefully. Il haven't seen him, but it
is a moral certainty he is skulking in
one of the upstairs rooms. His pre-
cious private secretary is here too.
l don't know Fleming by sight, and
the pictures we have Of him were ia
ken a good while ago, when he wore
a mustache When he was in local pol
tiles before be- went to the legislature
be practically owned this place. pay
ing for favors with membership tick
cts. A man could hide here for year
safely. The police never come here.
and mans business is his own"
Wardrop appeared. He ran down
the painted wooden stairs and hurried
through the room without looking to
right or left. The piano kept on and
the men at the tables were still en-
crossed with their glasses and one an
other. Wardrop was very pale. He
bolted into a man at the door and
pushed him aside without ceremony.
you might go up now" Hunter said.
rising. II will see where the young
gentleman Is making for. Just open
the door Of the different rooms up.
stairs, look around for Fleming, and
if any one notices you ask if Al Hum
ter is there. That will let you out"
The third door I opened was that OF
dingy bathroom. The next, however,
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