The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-11-02
ornersRoche-ASurprisin6Iale Love
'''dAdventure.

Mr.. Magee whistled softly; bis hands
shook as he reached for the envelopes Ia
belled "Hol." In the second Of these he
came across the name Of Holberg. Avidly
he read, and as he read his smazement
grew more profound. For Aaron Holberg
had figured much In the newspapers.
Aaron Holberg was gambler, Aaron Hol-
berg's building devoted to the Goddess OF
Chance had been raided but two months
before by Henry ]. Madison. who had gone
over the heads Of the police department In
90 doing.
And this very evening an emissary OF
Holberg-and It must be the same Holberg
had delivered over to q man whom he
took to be the district attorney an envelope
containing twenty one-thousand-d dollar bills.
The conclusion was obvious.
But Mr.. Magee was never hasty. From
the guardian OF the "morgue" he obtained
an envelope devoted to the district sttor.
ney. In few minutes Mr.. Magee was pos.
sessed Of the information that Henry j.
Madison. as well as being legal light and
rising politician. was also prominent 10
society's theatricals.'
The chain was complete. Mr.. Magee
took one last look at the clipping which
contained picture Of Miss Eleanor Blake.
He noted the tender curls. the wide, broad
forehead, the wonderful eyes. the roguish
nose, the kissable mouth. Then he looked
carefully at the picture Of the district at
torney who was to wed all the beauty and
grace that was Eleanor Blake.
Mr.. Magee could easily see how His
Stiffness had made the mistake, expect
ing. as he evidently had. that Madison
would be in disguise. For the district
attorney had the same high forehead, the
same nose and chin very like that Of
Mr.. .Magee. Mr.. Magee sighed.
'We look enough alike to be second
cousins" he said. Tim glad I know
the style of beauty that appeals to Miss
Blake. Forewarned, In this case. is fore
armed. 1t makes my task easier. I'd
hate to rob q lady of her nance without
offering her something just as good. And
II hope I'm just as good"
Wherewith he tenderly replaced the
Eleanor Blake clippings In their envelopes,
thanked the guardian Of the "morgue" and
slipped deftly out of the Planet Office.
His cab was still waiting. and in few
minutes he was back at the Belnord, lean.
ing gracefully over the desk, transnxing
the clerk with that affable eye OF his.
"Your town." said Mr.. Magee, "is deadly
dull"
The clerk bristled. There are plenty
Of live spots, Mr.. Magee. What sort Of
dullness do you most object TOT"
Routine" said Mr.. Magee 81 hate the
sort Of place where every one believes that
two aud two make four. / like to take
my two and two and run 'em into a thou.
sand"
The clerk surveyed Mr.. Magee closely.
doubtfully- "Pm-not sure" he began.
Mr. Magee twirled his stick "Pd heard
that Holberg's place was running" he said.
and II 80 I'd like TO try a whiri with him.
The clerk hesitated no longer. Mr..
Magee was most certainly no detective.
Also. he had money. And the clerk as In
all well-regulated hotels, got his ."bit" of
the money that might be removed from the
person Of any guest he directed to the
palaces Of chance.
That Mr.. Magee knew Of Holberg's place.
knew that II still kept open and wanted
to go there was proof enough that Mr..
Magee was wise one The other kina
always believed that when the police
closed a place 1t remained closed. The
other kind, knowing Holberg at all knew
that he ran no piker's place, and never
dared to go there.
The clerk scrubbed something on a card
and passed the pasteboard to Mr.. Magee.
He rang the bell and boy came running.
Get Jerry's taxi" ordered the clerk.
Then he turned to Mr.. Magee. II guess
thatll fix you up o. k he said. Hope
you make a killing"
Il thank you," said Mr.. Magee. "If
there's any number that wins your fancy
let me know and I'll play something on Il
for you.
Much obliged" said the clerk, but 70
rather put mine in the bank"
MIR. Magee slid q twenty-dollar bin
across the desk. The clerk beamed upon
him. The bellboy touched Mr., Magee's
elbow. Ten minutes later his ,axi had
drawn up before Quiet-seeming building
on a quiet-seeming street. Mr.. Magee
dismissed his chauffeur and mounted the
short fight Of steps that led to the vesti.
buled door.
The end" said Mr.. Magee to himself.
"justihes the means. I emphatically do
not approve OF gambling, butt can't 70
to Miss Blake with yarn that sounds
a. A.