Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-10-06
THE PAWNS COUNT

the young man muttered thrusting
the form into his waistcoat pocket.
you're here to stay, 1 guess, Nikasti?;
! see you've brought your kit along
I'm case you decided to engage me,
sir" the man replied.
"Oh, you are engaged right enough"
Van Teyl assured him. You'd better
make the best job you can of putting
out my evening clothes. II you ring
bedrooms are through that door,
Very good, sir"
II am going down to the barber 8
now" Van Teyl continued. rising to
his feet. Just remember this, Nikasti
what name, by the bye"
II could be called Kato," the man
"Kato for me, all the time" his
prospective employer agreed; Wen,
listen. My sister, Miss Van Teyl. ar
rives from Europe on the Lapland
this evening. If she comes in or
rings up, say I'm here and ! want to
see her at once. You understand"
II understand, sir"
appeared into the inner room. The
floor valet. dressed in the dark blue
livery of the hotel was already lay
ing out his masters dinner clothes. He
eyed the intruder a little truculently.
"Who are you. anyway" he in
quired.
my name Is Nikasti;" was the
gagged me as his valet, to wait upon
him and Mr.. Fischer"
The man laid down the shirt into
which he was fixing the studs.
That's some news" he remarked
Bitterly. ir
ITO wait on Mr.. Van Teyl and Mr..
Fischer. eh? What the hell do they
want you for?"
Nkasti shook his head slowly. He
was very small. and his dark eyes
seemed filled with melancholy.
1T is not for very long time," he
ventured.
five dollars tip every week." the man
grumbled. I'm married man, too,
and good American. Blast you fell
lows. coming and taking our jobs
away! Can't think what they let you
into the country for"
I'm sorry" Nikasti murmured.
your sorrow. don't bring me in my
five dollars" the valet retorted bit
terly There's only two suites on
this floor to work for, anyway, and
this is the only one worth cent"
II am taking the situation" the
perience. l do not wish to rob you Of
your earnings. will pay you the
five dollars<a week while stay here.
You shall help me with the work"
That's a, deal, my little yellow
skinned kid" the valet agreed in a
tone of relief. .'Ill show you where
the things are kept"
His new coadjutor bowed
"The telephone is ringing in the
masters room," he observed. "You
shall remain here. and I will answer
it" .i -
THAT goes Jappy," the man ac-
quiesced. IF it's a young lady take
her name. but don't say that Mr.. Van
Teyl's about. Forward young bag
cages some of them are"
Nikasti glided from the room. closed
the door, and approached the tele-
phone receiver.
YES" he acknowledged. these are
the rooms of Mr.. Van Teyl. ="
No. madam, Mr.. Van Teyl is not in
at present"
There was moments pause. Nj
kasti's face was impenetrable as he
listened, but his eyes glowed.
yes. I understand, madam" he said
softly. You are Miss Van Teyl and
you wish to speak to your brother.
The moment Mr.. Van Teyl returns 1
will ring you up or fetch you"
He replaced the receiver upon. it's
For some little time he was initiated
into the mysteries of his new masters
studs, boots and shoes, and general
taste in wearing apparel Then the
latter entered the sitting room, and
Nikasti obeyed his summons.
ANY one called me up?" he inquired.
mo one, sir"
Van Teyl glanced at the clock in an
undecided manner.
I'll change right away" he decided.
"Just set things to rights in here, I'LL
my cigarette case, and hang round
by the telephone"
Nikasti bowed, and the young man
disappeared into the inner room. His
new attendant waited until the door
was closed. Then he removed the re-
table ana moved stealthily toward
the open fireplace. For several mo-
ments' he remained in an attitude of
listening, then with quick. 1.-THE An
gers he drew from his pocket a cable
dispatch, reread it with an air of COM
plete absorption, and committed it to
the flames. He watched it burn, and
turned away from the contemplation
of its gray ashes with sigh of con-
tent. Suddenly he started. The door
of the sitting-room had been opened
and closed. A tall broad shouldered
man. wearing gold-rimmed spectacles.
a long travelling coat and Homburg
hat was standing watching him. Nj
kasti was only momentarily disturbed.
His look of gentle inquiry was per-
feet.
You wish to see my master-Mr.
Van Teyl?" he asked.
Where is he"" Fischer demanded.
He Is dressing in the next apart
ment. I will take him your name"
Fischer threw his coat and hat upon
the table.