The Washington herald., 1915-07-04
(CoHrisht, lsl5.)

IVZ also 10 lame as MerClIul SkeeterS
A'S Come-On Charley's private secre-
tary. was in the billiard room of the
Hotel Rirebien doing a little practicing
at French caroms. AS he now made a
neat round-the-table shot some one
spoke-some one who had come In quiet
ly from the oar and approached the
table.
BY Jove. clever!"
The speakei pronounced it "clevah.'
and Mr.. Teettrs looked at him. He was
a young man, possibly thirtytwo or
three.
Not so slpw." Mr.. Teeters acknowl-
edged graciously. Like to shoot a few?''
The other hughed.
"Oh. dear. no. I'm not in your class.
really. But know good billiards when
I see 'em. That shot now-the way
you've left 'em-how about It? Carom
on the red. WHAT"
Mr.. Teetefs shook his head indul-
gently. White he said. Dollar I
score
The young man smiled and laid paper
dollar on the rail. Mr.. Teeters covered
it with two halves and then. in the act
of drawing back his cue, he paused i'm
open wonder.
With a dfXterous twist of the wrist the
stranger Mad tipped monocle on its
and thumb and screwed it in his eye.
The proceeding was novel to that gen.
tlernans Experience. and it fascinated
him. He heSitated a fatal second longer
and missed, And 1t was a perfectly
simple sfpt!
What do you know about that?'' he
cried. j. one-armed baby could make
Ii lying IN his back
He THEW down his cue in disgust. and
-
with a scarcely perceptible lifting of his
brow faG released the glass and i: was
NOW Rngiing on his waistcoat.
I'M afraid I put you out" apologized
tho Srange young man. He gathered
up tie stakes and added: Pray let me
nre1 you atonement. I'm a bit seedy
this imorninE--out last night and all that
sor: Of thing-and a peg of Scotch would
set me UP, I fancy. How about your
seH'"
a. had way Of speaking that was
him despite his loss.
Thanks. Can't go the heavy wet this
fine of day. but don't mind tapping up
Ia dish of suds.''
"Righto!' cheerfullv acquiesced the
other. and held out his hand. My name
is Harry Lynham." He smiled whimsi-
calIy. "Viscount Lynham they call me
at nome. MY tather is the Earl OF Ever
sole"
Mr. Teeters took the extended hand
and hreathed hard.
My name" he mumbled. lis Teeters-
Percival Teeters"
"Teeters?" questioned Lord Harry
Lynham eagerly. Not by any happy
chance the friend and companion of Mr..
Charles Arthur Carter? Eh?''
I'm it." confessed Mr.. Teeters. fat
tered to find himself in such renown.
My dear fellow, | say, I'm charmed,
you know exclaimed his lordship. I've
read lot about you and Mr.. Carter.
That Brahma's Eye affair. What? Most
extraordinary"
Slick little Job he admitted "A con
man has got to step up to keep ahead
Of me and ChaJey. Got to foot it pretty
swift
Mr.. Teeters expanded his narrow chest
and wigGled his mustache under stress
of tho pleasurable emotions which as
sailed him.
Say" he begged. wait a minute and
as l am
When Mr.. Teeters returned with his
chief a man was standing at the table
talking to Lord Lynham. His attitude
was dcfcrential. almost obsequious. Lord
Lynham looked plainly bored. Charley
checked Mr.. Teeters, and they hung back
near the door The conversation reach
With ears a-prick.
Sixty thousand dollars. my lord" the
man was saying. would give you a
handsome profit on that painting / hap
non to know if you will pardon me- my
lord. that you paid only thirty-seven
thousand
The viscount made an impatient move
ment. and his tone was mocking when
he replied.
Really? fancied that was a secret
and. dye know. rather think it is in
spite of your assurance No doubt you
have private information OF the price1
paid for the Meissonnier. ahd the Rem
brandt. and the others. En-
MY lord rejoincd the other mildly,
Il am concerned only with this Corot at
present. Judge Hewlett has commission
ed me to offer YOU
''Oh. confound your Judge Hewlett"
broke in Lynham fretfully II tell you,
nv good fellow He stopped short. !
for he had caught a glimpse. II seemed. |
of Mr.. Teete-s and Charley.
Come right over. gentlemen" he call |
ed out and arose to welcome them.
II say said Charley. when his secre |
tary had introduced him. Don't want |
TO butt in. Business first. Pleasure aft |,
erward."
PRAY sit down" Lord Lynham en-
treated him. 1T is not business, this af- !
fair-it's bally bore. You've come In |
the nick Of time. my dear chap" He
turned to the man. who was tenaciously.
though respectfully. holding his ground.
'Mr.- ah--
Hopkins" supplied that person.
My good Mr.. Hopkins said his lord
ship with 'yIet irony. you and your
sixty thousand dollars may go TO the
derstand-quite So
I'm that case. my lord returned Mr..
Hopkins. suave as ever. there is nothing
left for me to do hut GO
And he went.
That bounder Hopkins gets on my
nerves" complained the viscount half
DO either of you. by the
way. happen TO go in for oils?"
What kind?" asked Mr.. Teeters.
There hair old. olive oil and Standard
on"
Ee was quite In earnest. and Lord Lyn-
hahn answered him with equal gravity.
We're talking at odds, old chap. I
mean oil paintings. like that hanging
over the bar there"
..Ha. That mood stuff Mr.. Teeters
"a ckied playfully. 'Oh, I guess yes: We
90 in for oils all right
Sure" grinned Charley. Know lot
n bout art. Much as knitting baby socks"
"Ah. yes. to be sure said Lynham.
noddins appreciation Of the joke. 9th
c- interests, Of course. Well, for myself.
7 run a bit to art-somethng of a sharp
NJ II, they tell me-and I've managed to
pick up several rare pictures over here
at a bargain. This fellow Hopkins seems