Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-07-21
HAMILTON
OSBORNE

baugh's still was Cradlebaugh's. Its owner X
ship remained mystery. And whether Il "A
was syndicate, an association, reincar-
mated spirit, or man, no one could tell a
OF one thing. however, its patrons were cer- +
tain there was but one Cradlebaugh'sI 3,
For fully half an hour Chaloner stood at n
the buffet, every now and then unsteadfly
| fitting the decanter. And while this courso (
Of refreshment may have dulled his wits.
| 1t certainly strengthened his courage for
| presently he said to himself:
| "I'll try him. yes. why not?"
And a moment later, still optimistic, he
| called servant and asked: seA
| Where is Pemmican?"
| Faro, SIR"
Challoner ascended swiftly to the second
floor. and paused at one room whose door
| was open.
How long?" he inquired, thrusting in his
| head, by way OF greeting to the group 1t
| the table.
Four Of the men there did not glance up
from their cards; holow-eyed, cigars be.
tween their teeth. they were alive only to
| the hundredth chance that still eluded them
The fifth man, a railroad president. coatless,
alone nodded to Challoner. and said senten-
| tiousy:
Forty hours-for me-"
Half way down the corridor Challoner
met pempican. head card dealer of Cradle
baugh's, man with pasty face, a low
brow and shifty eyes-a man who knew
his business. This Pemmican seemed the
all-and-all Of Cradebaugh's, apparently
general factotum but though he simulated
the appearance Of an owner in reality he
was servile servant stamped with dread
OF the pseudo Cradlebaugh of the man
higher up Nevertheless, whoever controlled
the destines of this gambling house had
chosen him wisely.
| Challoner came at once to the point
"Pemmican, l want some money-about
-" and broke off abruptly, for the other
was cycling him coldly. 81
1nstnctively Pemmican Of the low brow
knew that the game was UP with Challoner
moreover, he saw that. although the man
seemed sober, in reality he was very drunk.
r He walked away quickly. dismissing him
. | with:
; I'm sorry, sir. but It's against the rules
. | I can't"
, What rot!" Interrupted Challoner.
a But by this time Pemmican had reached
q the end of the hall, leaving the other to
gather what he could of his mumbled ex-
: | cuses.
= In anything but an amiable mood, Chal-
n loner resumed his position at the buffet.
a Suddenly he was conscious of a light touch
. on the arm Turning slowly he found
>. himself face to face again with Pemmican
v why don't you try Colonel Hargraves?"
" whispered the latter.
- "What?" came from the clogged brain
T. of Challoner.
20 TRY Hargraves," the other went on.
n Hes been down to Gravesend for two
g days, and he's back"
~ Pemmicans meaning was lost on Chal-
h. loner, for he merely exclaimed:
do "Well?"
nd Before answering, Pemmcan of the low
e. brow shrugged his shoulders and spread
of out his palms. then he said pointedly:
", "Only that he pulled out ten thousand on
X Flora McQueen-that's all !"
"What?" Challoner began to understand
-, Pemmican nodded.
,,,, sure thing-ten thousand dollarsw
70 Slowly and deliberately Challoner reflled
sc. his glass to the brm For a moment there
,is was silence, then Pemmican repeated tan
lii talizingly:
fe Ten thousand dollars-not a cent less |!
an Challoner thought for n moment.
M "How did you come out?" he asked muc
he to the others surprise.
the Pemmcan shook his head.
of II lost a cool thousand because did No
al back the mare. I played on Tigerskin. ~
,ur got to get that thousand back. somehow"
ers Challoner emptied his glass
": was Colonel Hargraves down Their
49, alone?" His voice was thick hoarse 4
- 'where2" returned Pemmican, as II h
had misunderstood t
up "At Gravesend?
wn Pemmican looked long and quizzicall!
zen into Chaloner's eyes.
les "He was not" was his simple bu
Ike significant answer, and moved away
OK. But Challoner followed him up, and seiz
nat ing his arm said somewhat gruffy:
ere comes in-I want to see him-tell him Il
me wait for me-"
ui- For the first time Pemmican's eyes los
TIL their curious tiredness, an enigmatical smil
out played about the corners of his mouth.
IS, yes" he said simply. and nodding. wen
iau his way.
iys Left alone. Challoner found himself [
TED prey to all the black fiends of rage jealous!
Ly and desire for revenge. For time every
len thing was biotted out from his vision ex
hat cept the face of Lefty Love and the face o
ter Colonel Hargraves. This small world." h
lle- muttered to himself sis much too smal
me for me and Colonel Hargraves !" With thS
to there loomed up tout Of the mists OF hi
wn mind the brilliantly lighted and ornate en-
he trance of certain apartment house
ave short distance away; and few minute
later, obedient to his subconscious will. hi
ere feet carried him down the stairs to doc
,itb | evidently leading to the outside. A fev
er words of explanation from Challoner to tn
ns9 man on duty there were necessary befor
mel he would proceed to undo the complicate
tbe system of bolts and then he passed ou
in and was under the starry skies. Chalone
,al- was not the first man of social promnenc
, In In the community that could directly trac
ou- the beginning of his life as an outcast =
through that door