Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-08
EPISODE XIII.
THE TRAGIC MASQ UE.
Ck>-plS>rs dsIrdrstrta

I, can think OF on the spur OF the mo
mept). acting IN his ostensible capacity
Elof Eentlemans gentleman 10 his ac-
4 knowledEed professional superior, MIR.
Arthur Droyd to identify that person
by his latest alias alone). entered tho
bed chamber occupied by tho latter In
Sithe Hotel Del Monte and reused MIR.
Droyd from stertorous slumbers by the
simple process OF letting up the win
dow shades and admitting wintry sun
light to flood the pillow OF tho sleeper.
This last Acknowledged Mr.. Carr's
delicate attention by snorting indig-
enantly, opening heavy eyes and huskily
demanding long drink OF water,
which, when served him by surly,
silent valet he drank with marked
enthusiasm.
What time Is it," no enquired in
somewhat clearer accents. putting down
an empty glass.
Twelve O'Clock" returned Mr.. Carr,
bit YEARLY.
Mr.. Droyd sat up in bed. closed his
eyes, groaned and muttered an oath.
What timed l get in" he next
asked.
Three bells" said his valet
Mr.. Droyd compressed aching tenn
pies between both hands.
IT mustv< been stewed." he unused.
You wos-to the boiljn' point. And
what's worse. you'd been off with that
Forty-third street outfit playin' poker.
which you Amt able 10. no more'n H
kid, and they'd cleaned you right"
20 Lord" calculated Mr. Droyd.
There's just four iron men between
you and mo and tho car tracks" pur-
sued Mr.. Carr. relcntlessly. "and our
bill here's more'n n hun'erd and city.
and the Office is settln' leary. Besides,
nore'n half what you lost was mine;
SO you better mako up your mind to
cut the sroanin' aud get busy fiEgerin'
what were soin' to do about It,"
Plaintivsly MIR. Droyd begged for =
respite till breakfast was over-a plea
srudsinEly INDUCED by Is. c. Gas Mr..
fDroyd intimately nominated his
"valet"). But the moment that MIR.
Droyd had indicated his shuddernr
aversion to tho boiled eggs and had
sulped down ,Inweicome cup of
coffee. K. c. returned mercilesSly to
the urgent question.
Recognizing at length the futility OF
endeavoring TO ignore unpleasant facts,
MIR. Droyd confessed himself totally at
n loss in the face OF tho present emer-
gency. He suffered dumbly for some
time a monologuc delivered by X. G. on
tho theme Of his On. C.'s) unmitigated
foolishness in trusting Mr. Droyd out
OF his sight with more than cigarette
money on his person; in tho course of
which hsranEue 1t tranSpired that the
two had Joined forces on the Pacific
Coast. subsequent TO some unnamed
exploit on the part OF Mir. Droyd for
which he was wanted by the bulls
and had Journeyed 10 New York with
the single-minded purpose OF trim
ming the metropolis Ito the queens
taste" Whereas. thanks to Mr.. Droyd's
weaknesses, 1t seemed that the city
alone had welded the shears curta!Iinr
their joint capital 10 the vanishing
point.
"Ah, shut up" Mr.. Droyd interrupted
at length. Il can't thini on account
OF this headache. Instead OF Standing
there and pan.pg ne, why don't you
suggest scaetAins?"
Il would" averred Z. c. dsrkly-
"oniy don't thin. yen 60; The nerve
TO go through with ~
'-Th.n- safe Mr. D.oyd decidedly.
.1t's something you never thought UP
una!tet-
TAI. hell I eldr':~ X c. r.jo,ued
With heat 'Jookut here
He thru., TITO The hand. Of Mr.
Droyd q morning newspaper, so folded
thar there rkt prc7t:nentiy displayed
what ha. coia. 20 DE termed feature
story" Nj Droyd conn.d it with
taundte.d eye.
.'Rumor LINKS names in royal ro-
nance" re read III. headline
beneath thfs two photographs repro
hueed IN halt-.one were printed above
the legend
Mr.. Philip Barr. OF Fed Wing,
Ariz-. claimant to the throne OF tlania.
and the Princes. Julia, daughter of
King Simon. whose crown Mr. Bsrr
would wear"
''whst's &, all about d.ms nded Ny.
Droyd YEARLY
manded X: c.
MY eyes hurt. Tell me about it,
We'll. it seems this guy Barr fell
for this skirt. and wants 20 marry her
which proves he amt never been
married before. But the old King on
the other side az the water won't stand
for il. The ;wo Young fools tried to
elcpe. but the Kings people got after
'em and grabbed it. down in Havana
Now they're bringing the skirt home
20 S'York here on Ward Line boat
TO catch the first steamer for Yurp,
and the Barr person 's chasing himself
north by rail- try!n' 10 catch EN- on
tho pier"
"well-whai OF it?"
Gee" said X. C. in disgust. Amt
you looked at his picture yet? Hes p
dead ringer for vou--or would be IL
he had one OF them dirty little tooth
brush mustaches like you wear. II
you was 10 shave yours off. nobody
Z couldn't hardly tell you apart"
3 Hmm" commented Mr.. Droyd with
more animation. Maybe there's some =
thing In this. I'll think about it
He dressed slowly and in the best
= his wardrobe afforded, revolving *. C.'s
question in mind which rapidly
grew more clear as the possibilities he
i forcsaw in successful representation
b OF Sir. Philip Barr excited more deeply
5 his interest.
A little after ! o'clock ne left his
q rooms, bent on stroll up Fifth Az
6enue, and rs he emerged from III,
4 elevator to the lobby Of the Del Monte
Il c. that which caussd btyp