The Washington herald., 1916-04-30


them in the days Of their pros
peritv. They were in cheap room Of cheap
lodging house, and their clothes were shabby.
Their personal belongings had been reduced to
'Ob" - said Mona, despairingly, as she picked
up a bun. "Mary-f we could only have real
dinnsr-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. 1T only makes
it seem worse if we think Of things like that
"Oh, know" said Mona. Mary, something
has got 70 turn up pretty soon Do You realize
that haven't had such run OF luck since we
first decided that had right to make the
world pay the living it owes us?'
runs again." said Mary, next day. She looked
- regretfuIIy at the single dime she held
m 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 that.
All right" said Mary, listlessly. 81
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 desCiOns
trifing and wholly dictated by chance that
of the two girls to try new bakery. While
they were selecting their buns they saw young
man who was giving an order at the desk II"
was a fashv-lOOking youth, with touch Of the
Bohemian about him. And Mona, peering him.
was convinced that she had seen him somewhere
in the past. He paid attention to either of the
girls, and Mona had good chance study
him She noticed that he kept his left hand care
fully in his pocket. But an accident the dropping
OF some of the coins he had received in change.
compelled him TO remove it and nav Mary's at
eention attracted we'll Mona s Both
were struck by the curious tattooed design the
back Of the hand design familiar to them
The Devils Sign consisting Of small demon
dancing on an inverted cross. But it was only
Mona who seemed 70 sec any real significance in
this Mary understood her signal, and they both
followed him.
But why?" asked Mary when thev were on
h8s tran
Il think 7 know him" said Mona And if
an 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?
Il suppose not" said Mary. But that doesn't
mean much :"
Even when the Young turned in AZ the
impressive entrance of tie Columbian Art Mu-
scum, Mona insisted on following him. And when
she saw him sit down before certain picture.
unpaCk a small easel, and set to work copying
the picture, she was greatly excited
Come on" said Mona. Il to the
picture. 7 think I know it, but want to make
sure"
It's the 'NIonno Wanna" said Mary. after
they had slipped up behind the painter. without
attracting his attention, and glimpsed the name
plate the picture.
-come on want to show you something in the
catalogue
There she said ~'RapbaeIo Monna
vauna-1532 Considered by many to represent
the greatest phase of tn" master. Loaned 10 the
Columbian Collection %, !. de Vecr~ Crogan
Value estimated at SI25000.
"I don't what good it docs rs" said Mary,
practically.
Wait. Now I know who tha- Young chan
Is who ia copying it, Harry the Hun. Mar, tho
most famous picture thief in the world He's don"
impossible things, and he's never been caughr
and held. If he's copying that picture it~ because
he means 10 steal it,"
"weII-that's his business" said Mary. 81
still don't see where We come in
IF know what he's planning 10 do-vhv
ISM there a chanc" for us to cnt in somehow"
asked Mona we can surely find some way to
profit by what we've found ont And [ don't
mean giving him away. either"
We'll, I'll admit frankly that I don't see anv
chance said Mary "Rut there's nothing else in
sight. suppose We might well wait for him
70 get through here and see where he goes. No
harm in that"
No harm-a0d LOT of good porhaps' said
Mona. I've got feeling that we've stumbled on
some good luck, Mary"
There a small park opposite the mn
scum, and here they sat and ate their decidedly
frugal repaSt They had some time TO wait but
they were glad to see, when Harry did appear,
that he paid no attention at all to them. He
hurried of, instead. as If he had appoint
ment TO keep, and they had to ak fast to keep
him in sight. They mana gpd il. however, and
saw him 60 into a curious little store The shop
if its sign could be believed, kept br one
MelnOtte. and its windows indicated that any
thing might be bought within-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 i'm
portance. But Mona breathing fast, none
the less.
"Nienotte :" she said Vow I'm sure Maryl
This store is just a blind Menotte is one 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 10 be worth while, Mona" said
Mary. The thing for to do is to establish
connection with Melnotte-and I think I see a
way to do it, tool
Now that I've got you interested I'm sure
were going to get something done!" said Mona.
confdentialIy. It's when you can't see a way
that I'm afraid, Mary"
We'll, you've got your part to do too" said
Mary. you used to study art. Can you paint
well enough to pretend you're making copy Of
the Norma Vanna?"
Just about" said Mona. They wouldn't
throw me out II I went there TO make a copy