The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-04

VsAry and their surroundings would
 g have amazed those who had known
 them in the days of their pros perty They in a cheap of cheap lodging house, and their clothes shabby. Their personal belongings had been reduced to minimum
 "oh!" said Mona, despairingly, as she picked up bun 'Mary-if could only have real dinner-in place where the walters know what you want before you do yourself and the linen is clean and the silver bright!
 "Don't!" said Mary, sharply "It only makes it seem worse if we think of things like that"
 "Oh, know,' said Mona. Mary, something has got to turn up pretty soon. Do you realize that we haven't had such a run of luck since we first decided that had right to make the world pay us the living it owes us?"
 RUNS again." said Mary, next day. She looked respectfully at the single dime she held i'll her hand. "Ten cents apiece for dinner, Mona Come on-let's dine out We'll buy our buns and eat them in the park place like thatl
 "AT right" said Mary, lstlessly. q store yesterday where the buns looked bigger than at the place we've been going to. Let's try them It's not much farther
 Important events have hung desicions trihing and wholly dictated by chance that of the two girls to try bakery. While they selecting their buns they young who giving order at the desk. He was fashyoolling youth with touch of the Bohemian about him. And Mona, peering at him, convinced that she had seen him somewhere il, the past He paid attention to either of the grls, and Mona had good chance study him. She noticed that he kept his left hand care fully in his pocket But accident, the dropping of of the coins he had received in change, compelled him to remove it and nav Mary's at tention was attracted well as Monas Both struck by the curious tattooed design on the back of the hand-a design familiar to them as "Ihe Devils Sign,' consisting of small demon dancing inverted cross. But it only Mona who seemed to any real significance in this. Mary understood her signal, and they both followed him.
 But why?" asked Mary, when they were on his trail.
 q think I know him." said Mona And if I right I believe we're not wasting time. There's no reason why we shouldn't follow him, is there? There's nothing else that we have to do that is more promising?"
 q suppose not" said Mary. ''But that doesn't much!''
 Even when the young man turned in at the ln7uressve entrance of the Columbian Art Mu- sliifn Mona insisted following him. And when s4 saw him sit down before certain picture unpack small easel, and set to work copying the picture, she was greatly excited.
 Come on" said Mona. q want to the picture. I think know it, but I want to make sure
 Its the Monna vannav" said Mary, after they had slipped up behind the painter, without attracting his attention, and glimpsed the name plate on the picture.
 II thought sol" said Mona, trumphantly. "Come on-I want to show you something in the catalogue.
 sThere!" she said. "sRaphaelo - Monna Vanna-1532. Considered by many to represent the greatest phase of the master Loaned to the Columbian Collection by J. de Veers Crogan. Value estimated at $125,000.'"
 q don't see what good it does us,' said Mary, practically.
 Wait! Now I know who that young chap is who is copying it Harry the Hun, Mary-the most famous picture thief in the world He's done impossible things, and he's been caught and held. If he's copying that picture it's because he means to steal it''
 'Well-that's his business" said Mary. II still cont where come in-"
 If we know what he's planning to do-why isn't there chance for to cut in somehow?" asked Mona We surely find some way to profit by what we've found out! And I don't mean giving him away, either"
 Well, I'll admit frankly that don't see any chance,'' said Mary. But there's nothing else in sight. suppose might as we'll wait for him to get through here and see where he goes. No harm in that.''
 No harm-and lot of good, perhaps" said Msna. five got feeling that we've stumbled on some good luck Mary.
 There small park opposite the scum, and here they sat and ate their decidedly frugal repast They had some time to wait, but they We're glad to see, when Harry did appear that he paid attention at all to them. He hurried off, instead, if he had appoint nlent to keep and they had to walk fast to keep him in sight. They managed it, however, and saw him go into curious little store. The shop if it's sign could be believed was kept by one Melnotte and it's windows indicated that any thing might be bought withn-or sold. The most extraordinary collection of odds and ends was visible, and among other things, few paintings, which, Mona said, were of no great value or im- portance But Mona breathing fast none the less.
 "Melnotte!" she said. "Now I'm sure, Mary This store is just blind Melnotte is of the most famous art fences in the country. Con- noisseurs who more about what is in their collections than how they obtain their treasures know him. He has been receiver for all sorts of stolen art treasures for years!'
 I'm beginning to think you're right, and that this is going to be worth while, Mona" said Mary "lhe thing for us to do is to establish connection with Melnotte-and think see way to do it, tool"
 Now that I've got you interested I'm sure we're going to get something done!' said Mona, confdentially. Its when you can't see a way that I'm afraid, Mary"
 Well, you've got your part to do, too," said Mary. You used to study art. Can you paint we'll enough to pretend you're making copy of the Monna Vanna?"
 Just about" said Mona "They wouldn't throw out if went there to make copy" ', Next morning the paths of the two girls di- verged for the time. Mona, with her easel and |s~