The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-06-04

them in the days of their pros
Perity. They were in cheap room of cheap
lodging house, and their clothes were shabby,
Their personal belongings had been reduced to a
minimum.
"oh = said Mona despairingy, as she picked
up a bun. 'Mary-if could only have a 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 of luck since we
first decided that had q right TO make the
world pay the living it owes us?"
RUNs again" said Mary next day. She looked
ID regretfullv at the single dime she held
in her hand Ten cents apiece for dinner. Mona.
Come on--lets dine out Wei buy our buns and
eat them in the park or some place like that"
"All right" said Mary, listlessly. Il saw a
store yesterday where the buns looked bigger
than a; the place we've been going to- Let's try
them, It's not much farther"
Important events have hung desicions
trifing and as wholly dictated by chance that
enc Of the two girls to try new bakery. While
they were selecting their buns they saw young
man who giving order at the desk. He
a fashy-lookng youth, with touch of the
bohemian about him And Mona, peering at him,
convinced that She had seen him somewhere
ttle past. He paid no attention TO either Of the
girls, and Mona had good chance 10 study
.w She noticed that he kept his left hand care
nv in his pocket But accident, the dropping
some of the coins he had received in change,
, expelled him to remove 1t and Mary's at
ufiun attracted well Mona's. Both
re struck by the curious tattooed design on the
ok Of the banda design familiar to them
'he DEVILS Sign" consisting of a small demon
dancing on 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
his trail.
Il think know him. said Mona And If I
am right / believe were wasting time.
There's no why shouldn't follow him,
IS there? There's nothing else that we have to do
that is more promsing?'
Il suppose not" said Mary "But that doesn't
mean much!"
Even when the young man turned in at the
impressive entrance of the Columbian Art Mu
scum, Mona insisted following him. And when
she saw him sit down before certain picture,
unpack small easel, and set to work copying
the picture, she greatly excited.
Come on, said Mona. q want to the
picture. l think know it, but want to make
sure"
It's the Norma vannar" said Mary. after
they had slipped up behind the painter, without
attracting his attention, and glimpscd the name
plate the picture.
Il thought So" said Mona, triumphantly.
'Come OH want to show you something in the
catalogue.
There" she said. "Raphaelo 49, Norma
Nanna-153e. Considered by many to represent
the greatest phase of the master Loaned to the
Columbian Collection by j. de -Ycerg Crogan
Value estimated at s125, 900"
Il don't what good it does u.s. said Mary,
practically.
Wait! Now 7 know who that young chap
j. who is copying it, Harry the Hun, Mary the
most famous picture thief in the world He's done
Impossible things, and he's never been caught
aud held. If he's copying that picture its because
he means to steal il"
"Wcll-that's his business" said Mary Il
still don't where in"
"if know what he's planning to why
isn't there a chance for us to cut in somchow?'
asked Mona. we can surely find some way TO.
profit by what we've found out, And don't
mean giving him away either"
We'll, I'll admit frankly that | don't see any
chance" said Mary, But there's nothing else in
sight suppose we might as well wait for him
10 get through here and see where he goes. No
harm in that.
no and lot Of good. perhaps" said
Mona. I've got feeling that we've stumbled or
some good luck, Mary
There was small park opposite the mu-
scum, and here they sat and ate their decidedly
frugal repast. They had time to wait. but
they glad to sec, when Harry did appear
that he paid no attention at all to them He
hurried off, instead, If he had appoint
njent 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 its sign could be believed, kept by one
Menotte, and its windows indicated that any
thing might be bought within-or sold. The most
extraordinary collection of odds and ends
visible and, among other things, n few paintings
which, Mona said, were of no great value inn
portanee. But Mona breathing fast, none
bhe less.
''Melnotte !" she said Now I'm sure, Mary !
This store is just a blind Melnotte is of the
most famous art fences in the country. Con-
boisseurs who more about what is in their
collections than how they obtain their treasures
know him, He has been receiver for all sorts of
polen art treasures for years.
I'm beginning TO think you're right and
Ihat this Is going to be worth while, Mona" said
Nary. 1.-THE thing for to do is to establish
connection with Menotte-and l think l
r4y to do il, tool"
Now that I've got You interested I'm sure
sere going to get something done"' said Mona.
.onfdentially. It's when you can't way
pat I'm afraid, Mary"
We'll, you've got ynur part to do, too" said
Mary. "Iou used to study art Can you paint
we'll enough 10 pretend you're making d copy Of
- Norma Nanna?"
Just about" said Mona. '"They wouldn't
throw out If went there to make COPY"
= Next morning the paths of the two girls d.
lerged for the time. Mona. with her easel and