The Washington times., 1915-10-31
RadnbeerNQW7h Observation-Disclosures
The Lilac Splash


from his right hand. while another long,
lean arm wrapped itself In n vise-lika
grasp around shorty's thick neck!
I J. RUFUS flashed up the library lights.
thick burglar being bent irresistibiy
, blcn into a library chair.
! We'll" husked the burglar, sulkiiy.
estimating that his chances Of fight
| revolver In possession Of the enemy.
what are you going to do about I?"
rn S, y9S S1S. up m even .'nraHTc ssssT
la deck of cards. and he picked them
up with sudden whimsical idea:
Criminal. I'll play you one hand OF
freeze-out to see whether you go on
and. sitting down opposite Shorty. he
| RAPIDLY .cat iivs cards apiece. Get
some highball Ice. jim"
IAN right" Waliingford. sleep re-
turning heavily to him, walked numbly
out into the dining room, and Blach!e's
amused eyes followed his stumbling
course In that Instant. Shorty Tucker.
his freedom at stake. took q furtiye
His broad fnce Frightened as he saw
the card. and he hast ly switched II
into his own hand. dropping his dis
card into a tall ash jar.
ing up the deck.
You're too conservative" Biackie
cast shreWd glance at bis opponen,;;
Now me, I'll take all this hand Will
4 stand: and II I improve II. culprit, I'll
try to get you a cell on the sunny
si0e," and he dealt himself two cards.
! There was moment OF silence, then
Shorty cleared his throat.
IRA like to make a little side bet:
be offered and dug into his pocket. He
produced eight dollars and forty-five
, .rp.t.. ,,o,, d,i,ar 0fty-Aye" ar.
! cepted BIackie. opening the drawer OF
tho table and throwing down ten
dollar bill. grinning as he saw Shortys
regre'ful eyes uiSed on E.d thSt drs~eI; ~.
hand sorrowfully. That's a twenty-five
dollar gun. ,
. Raise me the difference said
Blsckie extracting the cartridges.
| that with this siISer decanter. aud
raise you a gold-mounted meerschaum
| pipe"
Kit OF burglars tools went up. Biackis
threw Off his pajama Jacket: and
Shorty toSsed down his cost AND vest
"Cail YOU" he hu.ksd. "I got to
with triumph he tossed down four
Jacks and deuce.
Laughing gleefuliy. he reached for.
ward to scoop in the assorted stakes
and his freedom. hut Biackte holding
out a restraining hand, CALMLY spread
down four aces and q nine spot.
"All over, Jim." he called nonchai-
aptIy, az J. Rufus came into the room
with the bowl Of cracked Ice. '"csil
"Ay, say" Shorty Tucker was the
picture OF abject humiliation.
| "Tf there's anything ] can do for
you guys. you Just call on Shorty
Tucker"
any burglaring done. do we. Jim?"
Not tonight" chuckled Waliing-
/ ford TITS a crude. undignifisd meth
cd OF acquiring a profit on your en-
LEFT wallingford's face. He stopped
and thought moment. then his
round. pink countenance beamed with
joviality. by George. we have a Job
for Shorty" He walked over to the
table. opened the drawer from which
money. paved around for little
memorandum book. tore out leaf
and tossed It over to the worker Of
the night. DO you supnose you could
get us this gentleman's private
papers?"
shorty Tucker picked up the piece
of paper and looked at II. II contain-
ed the home address OF Monsieur Perl
CORD!
Monsieur Perigord was deeply re-
gretfuI that the beautiful Miss War
denis lavender creation had been 30
! extensively copied. "It Is because
Mademoisellc is so strikinE-so at
"Thoss clever American manufactur.
ers have their designers everywhere
80 that's the way IT'S done" mused
Blackie. What do you think Of that
jim Walilngord's big shoulders
heayed. "It sounds like the expIanA-
tion for a black eye" he chuck ed.
Monsieur Perigord was no longer
polite. he was no longer .grieved. he
was no longer indignant: he was out
ragged! ~ am insultedi" he charged,
stopping to cough. you insult also
the house OF Mondeaux! I shall he
kind. shall explain! Mademoise'le
DO you not see? There has been plen-
ty OF time for your clever American
manufacturers. Very well!"
Blackie and J. Rufus looked At each
other and chuckled:
"Jim. he's a ,corking good liar"
commented Blackie admirinsly..
able to control Simseif. 1T is TOO
much" he shrieked.
"oh. hush. Andre" advised Blackie
kindly. i've nosed around and found
two Arms who, get their designs
through you: and besides. Miss Wa
den never flashed this dress until
yesterday. Civ. me the money be-
fore get rough"
The change In Monsieur Perigord
was slow, but II was complete His
rage melted into smiling suavity, In a
beautifully graded traS sition OF about
one minute. Monsieur. shall pay
hack the money for the frock like an
honorable gentleman" he Offered.
Walling'o'd, watching him with
heavy-lidded eyes. smiled. "Is this a
regular Mondeaux trick" he asked.
Mon Dieu, no" laughed Perigord
"Rut the house OF Mondeaux is In
Paris, and am here"
And tossing the bunk both ways"
added BlaCkie; Into you- Arm and
your customers. in one and the same
gentle operation; and working other
CRAFTS besides And without invest
ment"
"One becomes clever in America" ="
hoasted Perigo-d. with a self-sa'i is-
fed smile. II have learned the little
trick to make money. Now I learn
the little trick to invest with rapid
ness. With nfty-four thousand dol
lars to stsrt-voila"
| "Fifty-four thoussnd!' responded
Blackie glancing at J. RufGs.