Charlevoix county herald., 1918-08-30
The Web
of DESTINY
BY J. U. olESY q J. q. SMITH
Authors OF Semi-Dual Stories
Copyright.
The Frank A. Munsey Co.
The Frank A. Munsey Co.


where on a thoroughfare traversed by
q railroad crossing. AS our chauf-
Aeur's orders carried him no farther
he climbed down and opened the door.
We left the cab on the east side OF
the intersection and walked slowly
across, keeping an eye out for Reich.
He appeared suddenly from the
door of a corner saloon and came to
met us. For the first time since I
-hm known him he seemed free from
$straint and his manner was one Of
poorly suppressed excitement.
That's what comes of getting out
and stirring things up" he began as
soon as he was beside us. II came
down here and found Stakos, and 1t
didn't take him a minute to get wise.
He said he knew a couple of fellows
who would be likely to know about
this business il any one would and he
left his show and came along with me
to find them.
"And here's something we've got
to keep under our hats. 1t isn't gen.
orally known but the two chaps he
steered me to, while full-blooded
Greeks, are naturalized citizens OF
this country and are government men
-sleuths. Dye see?
"Well / put the matter to them,
and they came through at once with
the tip that they knew about Lilly.
but said they thought we'd better talk
II over all together.
"They make a business of hanging
out in a, cafe down here and they said
I'd better get you folks, and George
and could come in like you was
party doin' the town, an out for
time, an then George could pretend to
spot them, and we'd all get at table
and talk so nobody would suspicion.
Oh, Lord, but it's sweet mess, from
what they tell me, but come along.
Let's go get George and keep the
date"
"You say they know Lilly was
nere2" rumbled Sheldon.
Reich nodded. Eyes. Oh, it's q
ness But come along"
sFsAe turned beside us and led us
down the street toward an illuminated
sign above the mouth of an alley
turned into this and stopped before
some steps leading up to the door of a
building which bore a Greek lettered
sign.
The sound of a piano and violin
floated outt.Ss two men emerged,
and l caugl. a fleeing glimpse of
a picture Pickering on a screen. be-
fore the door swung shut.
This is Georges place." Reich ex-
planned. I'll get him if you'll wait"
He ran up the steps and disappeared
within.
He was back in very few mo-
ments with a squat, heavy-set indi.
vidual, with auburn hair and a wax
tipped mustache, whom he introduced
as Stakos. The Greek shook hands
around and spoke in fair English:
Il am glad to meet my frien's
fren's. l am entirely at your sarvice."
Then let's get along" said Colo
mel Mac.
Stakos bowed, linked arms with
Reich and turned out to the street
They then swung back along the way
We had come and presently paused be-
fore the entrance to a. narrow hall
way, directly below a transparent sign
which announced the "Kaffenion
Poseidon" that he who ran might
read.
Reich pushed in and we followed
into the hall which ran straight back
from the street for some hundred
feet.
Its walls were painted green with
yellow panels, stenciled in arabesque
fsigns in black. interspersed on one
Side by windows. which showed that
the passage thanked first a bar and
secondly a small room like cheap
restaurant, furnished with tables, ma
perry, and glass.
Streamers OF red, white, and blue
tissue papers festooned the top OF the
passage and waved above our heads.
At the far end the hall opened into
a room some seventy-five feet square,
its walls like those of the entrance,
painted and stenciled in glaring col
ors.
In the center metal fountain
squirted tiny stream of water, which
fell back into basin containing gold
fish. Ranged around the room were
tables and chairs, and cigar-case,
and the cashiers desk occupied the
far corner. The ceiling like that of
the passage was practically hidden by
the paper festoons
Early as was the evening. at least
half the tables were held by men Of
swarthy compilations, interspersed
with an occasional blond type. At a
table back in a corner man was
playing on what sounded like either,
and a monograph beside him gave
promise of different sort of music.
A young woman, of not unpleasant
features. sat back of the cashiers desk
reading a book, as we came in, glan-
ced up at our entrance and gave no
further heed.
q I noticed, however, that as Stakos
fed us to seats at vacant table, and
ybade us sit down., more than one
head of the other denizens OF the
place turned in our direction. Colonel