El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-01-18

I iADuLlnQtQ I
" 7HEN an automobile sign told
M him he was 40 miles from
Columbus Circle" he felt that
from the New York he knew he was
much farther. Two miles up the road
his car overhauled bicycle policeman,
and Wharton halted him
rs there a roadhOCse called kessler' s
beyond here?' he asked
''On the left, farther up" the officer
told MIN. and added: You can't miss
it, Mr.. Wharton; there's no other
.'Youknow me-" said the D. A Then
you'll understand what 1 want you TO
do. I've agreed to go TO that house
alone. If they see you pass they may
think Pm not playing fair So stop
here
The man nodded and dismOunted-
But" added the district attorney,
as the car started forward again, If
you hear shots I don't care how fast
you come"
The officer grinned.
Better let me trail along now" he
called; that's a tough joint"
But Wharton motioned him back;
and when again he turned to look the
man sti1 stood where they had parted
Two minutes later an empty taxi
cab came swiftly toward him and as
ii passed the driver lifted his hand
from the wheel and with his thumb
motioned behind him
That's one Of the men," said Nolan,
that started with Mr.. Rumson and
Hewitt from Delimonico's."
Wharton nodded; and now assured
that in their plan there had been no
hitch. smiled with satisfaction. A
moment later. when ahead Of them on
the asphalt road, Nolan pointed out
spot Of yellow, he recognized the sig
nal and knew that within call were
friends
The yellow eigaret box lay directly
in front Of q long, wooden building of
two stories It was linked to the road
by a curving driveway marked on
either side by whitewashed stones On
verandas enclosed in glass Wharton
saw white covered tables under red
candle shades. and protruding from
one end of the house hung with electric
lights in paper lanterns. a pavilion for
dancing. In the rear OF the house stood
sheds and q thick tangle OF trees on
which the autumn leaves showed yell
low Painted fingers and arrows
pointing, and an electric sign, pro-
claimed to all who passed that this
was kesslerS- In spite of its reputa-
ton, the house wore the aspect Of
the commonplace In evidence nothing
Haunted, nothing threatened. From a
dozen other inns along the Pelham |
parkway and the Boston Post road it |
was in no way to be distinguished.
As directed in the note, Wharton |
leIL the car IN the ROAD FOR live /
minutes stay where you are" he or l
dered Nolan; then go to the bar and \
get a drink. Don't talk TO any one \
or they'll think you're trying TO get /
stand where I can see YOU
from the window I may want you
to carry a message to Mr.. Rumson,"
On foot Wharton walked M the
.urving driveway, and if from the house I
MS approach was -spied upon. there |
was no evidence. In the second story !
he blinds were drawn and on the first ]
iloor the yerandas were empty. Nor
not even after he had mounted to the
and stepped inside the house
was there any sign that his visit was
expected He stood in a hail. and in
ront OK him rose a broad flight N /
tairs that he guessed led to the private
upper rooms On his left was the
-estauranL
Swept and garnished after the reveIs
II the night previous. and as though |
esting in preparation for those 70 !
ONE, It wore an air OF peaceful mac |
witty At a table a maitre d'hotel vvas
the menu for the EVENING !
.gainst the walls three cOlored waitars
ounged sleepilT and On q platform a.
piano pale youth with drugged eyes
vas with one hand picking an accom-
As Wharton paused uncer-
ainly the young man. disdainfne HE
udience, IN shrill, nasal tenor raised ,