Charlevoix county herald., 1918-08-30

the room "Well. my Lord. look
at the goat!"
had noticed it already. but 1t was
evident that Sheldon had not. Now,
however, we all turned and looked at
the little animal which ran about the
tables.
It was white. with pinkish eyes and
the merest suggestion of tail, and
seemed very much at home. 1t was
roaming from group to group OF
patrons, accepting bite of bread, or
cheese, or bologna, or a mouthful OF
salad. very much like pet dog might
have taken a scrap of meat.
More than one dark face greeted the
colonel's outburst with a flashing
smile at his recognition of what was
evidently an established custom OF
the place. The colonel, as usual, was
sincere In his enjoyment, and in no
way sought to detract from the prom
inence he had gained. Instead, he
leaned over and SNAPPED his fingers
in desire to be friendly.
Here, Billy C'm'ere," he
wheedled. "C'mere, you funny little
devil. Well what dye know about
that?"
In the midst of the diversion Stakos
rose and eXcusing himself approached
another table we'll back beside the
cigar-case, where he spoke to couple
Of men. After a moment he came
back and in quite audible tones re-
Quested that we come over and meet
his friends.
1t was well played and I'm sure one
not informed of it's true purpose
would have been completely deceived.
We rose after bit of urging and ac-
companied him half across the room
to the place where the other two sat.
Introductions followed.
We learned that the larger Of the
two men who were both dark was
called Paulos, and the smaller Hermo-
styple. At their invitation we sat
down. A waiter slid up and after a
friendly byplay Stakos ordered the
drinks. and we were alone. Not until
then did Reich speak.
These are my friends of whom l
told you," he explained in low
voice. "They want to know about the
girl"
"Mr. Dual an Mr.. Glace, the de.
tective, an Mr.. Sheldon, quite So"
said Paulos. Those were the names
YOU gave us. Very well. There Is
not such a very large quantity to tell.
Perhaps Mr.. Reich have tell you what
we air?"
"We're wise" muttered Sheldon.
Dual and / nodded. For no appar-
ent reason Hermostyple saw ut to
duck his head also.
"Well them" continued Paplos,
"the ozzer day 1t was teeped off to
my very good fren Hermostyple an
me, Eat Zere was a girl in a room
in a house down in thees parts. Eat
have. happen before, have it not Her
monstyple?"
Again the little man nodded.
"Ze one who was inform us OF
thees, say Eat they think perhaps
thees girl was wat you call detain
agains' her will, an was not zere Of
her own accord. Zen il wa to us to
investigate in wat you call offeecial
capacity, was 1t not?"
ut was" rumbled Sheldon. did
your"
Paulos opened his brown eyes in
surprise, then shrugged his shoulders
in depreciation.
But" he began and paused once
more as our waiter returned with our
order. But of course" he resumed,
lifted his glass of beer and sunk his
mustache in the foam, "Hermostyple
and / acted at once. What did we
do? What should we do? We 90 to
thees place, an we deman' to see
thees girl, an we ask her the ques-
ton Have you .experience| to which
she say, oh, yes
"Then what could we do? Wis
her nozzing. She say she is OF the
age, she hat no people. Is she dom
anything wrong2 We may know hut
can we prove it? Eth, Hermostyple,
my fren'?"
Hermostyple answered by nod,
and went on consuming beer.
"You asked her If she'd had ex-
perience. What'te mean?" said Col.
onel Mac.
"Eet is contradistinction from per-
sons who have been persuaded or led
away from home by false representa-
tions," explained Paulos. GAS one
would say, do you come of your own
free will?" |
AN she told you yes? She
wouldn't do it. l don't believe you"
Sheldon's voice threatened to rise
to an unwise pitch.
"Sssh!" Kissed Reich laying hand
on the colonel's arm. Maybe she |
had to. Maybe they scared her into |
saying what they told her. Colonel, |
they're devils. They've killed girls |
who wouldn't do what they told them,
haven't they. Mr.. Paulos?"
Indeed, yes" declared the Greek.
Hermostyple nodded.
Colonel Sheldon's gray eyes hard |
ened. "All right" he muttered. Il
amt very wise to this game l reckon, |
but I got bunch that that leetle gal
wouldn't "a been afraid to cash in IL
Ell 10