The Washington herald., 1915-07-11

| Sure, repeated Charley. He put the
bills back on the table. but nearer ts
him than before.
Mr.. Link. on whose countenance Q
series of rapid changes had been taking
place, inserted himself unobtrusively he
tween Mr.. Hosg and Charley. Mr..
| Nuckels and Mr.. LAWYER were on the op-
posite side OF the table. Miss Amory
and Mr.. Teeters stood at the further end
from Mr.. Hogg. The latter. who had
been fumbling in his vest pocket for the
Key to the box. found 1t at last. He
poked it in the lock and drew up the lid
| A sharp exclamation escaped him. Mr.
Nuckels and Mr.. LAWYER echoed the cry.
These are red fieas." cried Mr. HoSg.
He glowered at Mr.. Carter menacingly.
Mr.. Carter returned it with a Cheerful!
grin.
Gee"' he said. Funny. You locked
box. Hasn't been opened. Swear it"
MIR. Hogg's lips parted wolfshly. His
excitement grew. but apparently the
disitalis was forgotten.
BAH" he shouted. You could get q
key. Anybody could"
But l didn't" asseverated Charley.
Told YOU that once
He did not seem in the least affroot-
ed b. the doubt cast on his YER
acity. On the contrary it seemed to
amuse him. Mr.. Hogs. utterly re-
CARELESS now of his impaired heart, few
into a passion
Il gave YOU blue fieas-blue." he RACED.
And You return me these common red
heas. You've robbed me, sir. and you'll
sit right down and write me a check for
a hundred and ten thousand dollars
What's more. you'll stay here till I get II
cashed,"
Mr.. Nuckles emitted a growI You bet
he will he declared. Hes robbed me.
too"
Mr.. Link looked at Charley. His Irish
eyes cleaned like polished agate But he
made no sound He was waiting
Sure they're red?" queried CharSoy.
Let me have a close peek"
He reached over and picked up the box.
He set it down-quite casually. it ap-
peared-on the stack of bills And then
a Transformation scene took place So
unexpected was it that no one stirred
Charley flashed from his overcoat
pocket sprayer of the kind that flor
lists use. With this he drenched the in
terror of the box with a colorless LIQUID.
the force of the spray carrying it easily
through the wire screen.
There's your blue feas." he Rrinned.
showing the box at Hogg. Want to make
'em red?"
He took another sprayer from another
pocket and held ii up, laughing lightly
Lock the door, screeched Mr.. Pork
ington's confidential agent.
Miss Amory sprang to obey. but Mr.
Teeters beat her to 1t and pulled the
door open. He was suddenly awake. The
girl clawed at him like a wildcat. and in
return he caught her arms, whirled her
about. and with a push sent her, most
ungallantly. sprawling into the hall Then
he locked the door and leaned aginst it.
blowing hard e.
half on and half OF the bed. The gem
tleman Was motionless-dead to the gal
cites and sorrows of this life. He had
made grab for the money on the table
when Mr. Lawler screamed. and Mr. Link
had cruelty tapped him on his poor weak
heart. 1t put him soundly to sleep, and
Charley gathered in the money.
Only Mr.. Nuckels and Mr.. LAWYER re-
manned to be considered. Mr. Links dis
position Of Mr.. Hogg had given them
pause. but they wore an ugly look.
"Which'n you take. Joe?" sang out
Charley joyously.
The light OF battle was In his ees.
Both" barked the fighting man.
He stepped around the table toward
them.
No. you don't"' retorted Charley.
He placed a hand on the table and
vaulted over II. As he landed he swung
Ava A'Ai- -NeSASh TVS, ouI NuCkeH
wasn't there. He had backed away. Mr..
Link. meanwhile was working on Mr..
Lawler. who showed bit Of science and
got left hook to the middle weights
ear. Mr.. Link snorted in disgust, and
made rush for Mr.. LAWYER to finish him.
Mr.. Lawler. however, leaped aside, and
as he did SO whipped out a gun.
Keep of or I'll let you have it, he
nd thav, r..
led up and went down in a heap. Mr..
Teeters had run forward when the fight
began and as Mr.. LAWYER spoke, the
hurled the box Of feas smack
into his mouth.
You will. will your" he shrieked: and
jumping on his fallen victim he wrenched
the pistol from his nerveless grasp
Good boy!" commented Mr. Link
Then he turned to Charley. for he was
anxious to see how his pupil Jared.
Mr.. Nuckels was putting I'D a nasty
science. but he was foaming mad, and
he lunged savagely at Charley.
Charley was laughing happily He
danced about his man as IL he were at
. tango tea. and jabbed him almost play
ully. Then. suddenly seeing the opening
lie sought. he stiffened up and sent his
light like a sledge hammer into the black
Eyed gentleman's alto-relievo stomach.
That was the last Of Mr. Nuckels' i'm
Mediate impressions of the combat. He
gave a grunt. half turned. then fell
heavily and rolled over on to his back.
Guess we'd better co. Charley
Got to get to a bank
They filed out, locking the door after
hem. The field of battle was left to
he liberated feas. Downstairs they met
he landlady. She had heard the rumpus
md was a quivering mountain of jeliied
lesh. Miss Amory was nowhere to be
zen.
Charley handed the agitated fat lady
he key to Number Four.
Don't disturb them" he advised her
'leasantly. Gentlemen taking a nap"
They rolled away uptown in the red
ar.
Charley. it's a new stunt they tried
o put across this time" said Mr.. Link.
I'll own UP they got me going What
nut you next"
'Nuckels' call. Made me think Then
his" was Charley's answer
He pulled rag from his Npocket II
vas about the size OF a pocket handker-
hef. The body of II was covered with
Inc blue spots: in fact. as II 1t had
een sprayed on. At one end. though, the
pots were read.
Saw it in Hogg's waste-basket Mon
ay." he explained. "Copped it out. Made
ne think some more. Showed rag to a
Told him what was up wised
i'm right on"
Charley paused and srinned at Mr.
ink.
VaIl Al r.