Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1915-06-15
CHAPTER ~.
The Flat on the Ton Flo,


Braine crawled from his uncomfort-
able hiding place. His clothes were
soiled and damp, his hat gone. By
hairs breadth he had escaped the
clever trap laid for him. Hargreave
was alive, he had escaped; Braine was
as certain of this fact as he was of
his own breathing. He now knew
how to account for the Pickering light
In the upper story of the warehouse.
His ancient enemy had been watch
ing him all the time. More than this,
Hargreave and the meddling reporter
were in collision. In the flare of
lights at the end of the gun-play he
had caught the profile of the reporter.
Here was dangerous man, who must
be watched with the utmost care.
He, Braine, had been lured to COM
NIT an overt act, and by the rarest
good luck had escaped with nothing
more serious than cold chill and a
calling disappointment.
He crawled along the top Of the
pier, listening, sending his dark-accus-
sky in the east was growing paler and
paler. In and out among the bales
of wool, bags Of coffee and lemon
crates he slowly and cautiously
wormed his way. A Waterman pa
trolled the office side of the ware
to creep around the other way, thence
into the street After that he straight
ened up, sought secondhand shop
and purchased soft hat, which he
pulled down over his eyes.
He had half dozen rooms which
adventures as this. He rented them
furnished in small hotels which never
asked questions of their patrons. To
one of these he went as fast as his
weary legs could carry him. He al
ways carried the key. Once in his
room he donned fresh wearing ap-
parel linen, shoes, and shaved. Then
he proceeded downstairs, the second
hand hat shading his eyes and the
upper part of his face.
At half past twelve Norton entered
the Knickerbocker cafe-restaurant,
and the first person he noticed was
Braine, reading the mornings paper,
propped up against the water carafe,
Evidently he had just ordered, for
there was nothing on his plate. Nor.
ton walked over and laid his hand
upon Braine's shoulder. The man
looked UP with mild curiosity.
why, Norton, sit down, sit down!
Have you had lunch? No? Join me-"
Thanks. Came in for my break
fast" said Norton, drawing out the
chair. Braine was sitting with his
back to the wall on the lounge-seat.
Il wonder if you newspaper men
ever eat real. true enough break
fast. should think the hours you
lead would kill you OFF, Anything
new on the Hargreave story?"
''Im not handling that" the reporter
lied cheerfully. Didn't want to- l
knew him rather intimately. I've a
horror of dead people, and don't want
to be called upon to identify the body
when they find it,
"Then you think they will find it?''
Il don't know. It's strange mixup
I'm not on the story, mind you; but
I was in the locality of Duffys ware
house late last night and fell into a
gunman rumpus."
Eyes, read about that. What
were they after?"
you've got me there. No one
seems to know. Some cock and bull
story about there being something
valuable. There was"
What was it? The report In this
paper does not say"
"Ten thousand bags of coffee"
Braine lay back in his chair and
laughed.
''If you want my opinion" said
Norton, II believe the gunner were
out to shoot up another gang, and
the police got wind of it,"
Don't you think it about time the
police called halt in this gunman
matter?"
ooh, SO long as they pot each other
the police look the other way. 1t
saves a long trial and passage up the
river. Besides, whenever they are
nabbed some big politician manages
to open the door for them. Great is
the American voter"
Take Mr.. Norton's order, Luigi"
said Braine.
"a German pancake, buttered toast
and Coffee" ordered the reporter.
MAN, eat something!"
Its enough for me-"
"And you'll go all the rest Of the
day on tobacco. know something of
you chaps l don't see how you man
age to do it."
Food is the least of our troubles.
BY the way, may / ask you few ques-
tions? Nothing for print, unless
you've got new book coming"
"F'ire away"
what do you know about the
Princess Perigoff?"
Let me see. HIM. Met her first
about year ago at reception given
to Nasimova. A very attractive wom-
an. l see quite lot of her. Why?"
"Well, she claims to be sort of