The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-05-09

masks.
Doctor Dollar. I should pre-
fer not to ask you to show me OIL
tell me any more. I know a goot
man when l see one. and | know
good work when / catch him al
| 1t. Perhaps that was necessary
In the case of such extraordinary
work as yours; yet you say II wal
a sheer coincidence that | caught
you at 1t tonight-or rather that
such tough work as waiting for
you when we got here?"
DO you still doubt It? Why
you yourself insisted on coming
round to see the place in the mid.
die of this blessed night"
| Exactly. That establishes your
second coincidence; but with all
respect, doctor, l don't believe
in two of the same sort on the
same night to the same two peo-
ple!"
What was the other coinci-
dence?" demanded the doctor
huskily.
Your catching my old pick
pocket with my watch-and let
ting him off! Come, doctor, dc
one thing for me, and I'll do all
in my power for you and your
great work. Show me the fellow
who sneaked my watch"
Show him to you? What dc
you mean?"
The doctor had not started. But
the injured eye showed it's injury
once more.
| ut was one of your patients
who picked my pocket" said the
home secretary, with as much
confidence as though he had
known it all the time.
so you want to see him
now?"
Il do. But it shall end at
that-if / do see him. That won't
nip my good will in the bud!" 1t
was obvious what would,
You shall see him." said the
doctor. But there are Difficult
ties you perhaps can't quite APP
preciate. 1t means giving away
a patient-don't you see!"
Perfectly. 1t seems to ME a
very proper punishment, since it's
all he'll get. Yet you don't want
to lose your hold. Couldn't you
send him down here on some pre-
text, instead of taking me up to
The crime doctors face lit up
as IL by electricity.
II can and l will!", he cried
Wait here, Mr.. Vinson. He's an
other Grader he shall come down
for a book" -
And within one minute Of the
doctors departure, and one sec
ond of the patients prompt ap-
pearance, a certain small suspi-
cion had been confirmed.
Il think we've met before, my
MANI" Vinson began. His man
started stagily-was altogether of
the stage-a bearded scarecrow
in rags too ragged to be true. Vim
son found the switches and made
more light. mot halfa bad dis
guise," he continued, whoever
you may be! l suppose they're
supplied on the premises for dis
tinguished patients?"
How do you know it's a dis
guise?" croaked the hairy man,
with downcast eyes.
well, you don't look a distin-
guished patient, do your" said
the home secretary airily. ION
the other hand, your kit looks to
me as If it would fall to pieces
but for what the ladies call a
foundation-eh?"
And he swooped down on the
ragged tails as their owner turned
a Inundated back. And the
Foundation" was a perfectly good
oyercoat turned inside OUT; more
over, 1t was a coat that Topham
Vinson suddenly remembered, as
he shot up to his full height and
then stood deadly still.
The pickpocket had not turned
round. But his wig and beard lay
at his elbow on the mantlepiece;
his diminished head had sunk
into his hands; and the electric
light blazed upon medallion of
silver hair, up above one burning
ear.
"Doctor-Dollar," exclaimed
Topham Vinson. And the ingen-
uous ring of his wn startled
voice added to his sense of out
rage.
Yes I was the man. at
was only to get at you-you know
that"
1t was a hoarse voice mutter-
ing to the wall, in a dire discom-
future that had its effect on the
insulted minister.
80 that was your weakness"
The plain comment was icier than
any sheer. picking and stealing
and your hand still keeps it's
cunning!"
Yes. That was how my. wound
had taken me-" There was less
shame in the hoarse voice, thanks
to the bracing GOODNESS 81 the
other. ut started in the% field
ospital-orderlies laughed and
encouraged me-nurses at, Netley
just as bad! Everybody. treated
1t as a joke; the doctor used to
ask for his watch or his handker-
chief after every visit, and the
great score was when he thought
had one, and it was really the
lother-or hoth-or the KEYS ont