Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-26

I don't. / have the SWEETEST house In
London, yet 1t doesn't belong to me.
I'm worth fl 100000 yet the other day
had to steal few sovereigns. but
the law could not touch me for steal
ing them. have an uncle who is
duke, yet j am no relation to him.
Sounds crazy, doesn't it; all the Same
it's fact. l don't mind telling you the
whole thing IL you care to hear 1T.
won't give you the right names, be-
cause there's a woman in the case,
but bet I'll lift your hair"
Kellerman did not seem elated.
II don't mind listening to your
story" said he. ION one condition.
whats that"
THAT you will not be offended IL I
switch you off If the thing pals and
hand you your hat. for l must tell
you that though 7 came down here to
get sleep. ] do most of my sleeping
between 2 In the morning and noon.
working tonight"
ooh, you can switch me off when
YOU like" said Jones.
Supper being finished, Kellerman
fastened the window. and, carrying
the lamp, led the way to a comforta-
bly, furnished study. Here he pro-
duced cigars and put little kettle on
spirit stove to make tea.
Then, sitting opposite to his host. In
comfortable armchair. Jones began
his story.
He had told his Internal story so
often that one might have fancied 1t
a painful effort, even to begin. 1t was
not. He had now an audience in touch
with him., He, suppressed names, or
Manchester for Rochester and Bird
wood for Birdbrook. The audience
did not care. 1t rocked nothing of til
ties, it wanted story-and 1t got 1t.
At about ! o'clock the recital was
interrupted while tea was made, at 2
o'clock or little after the tale fin
ished.
"Well?' said Jones.
Kellerman was leaning back in his
chair with eyes half closed. he seemed
CALCULATING something. in his head
ID you believe me?"
Kellerman opened his eyes.
"Of course I believe you. If you
had invented al that you would be
clever enough to know what your in
vention Is worth and not hand it out
to stranger. But ] doubt whether
any one else will believe you--how-
ever. that is your affair-you have
given me five reels Of the finest stuff,
or at least the material for 1t, and IL
ever care to use it I will fix you up
a contract, giving you rs per cent
royalties. But there's one thing you
haven't given me--the denouement.
I'm more than interested in that Tn,
not thinking of money; I'm Aim act
or at heart and want to help in the
play. Say. may help?'
How"
Come along with you 10 the end
give all the assistance in my pow
er--or even without that Just watch
the show. l want to see the last act,
for I'm blessed If I can imagine it,
I'D rather not" said Jones. you
might get to know the real names of
the people I'm dealing with, and as
there Is a. woman in the business /
don't feel ought to give her name
away even to you. No. 1 reckon I'll
pull through alone, but If you'd give
me sofa to sleep on tonight I'd be
grateful Then l can get away in the
morning"
Kellerman did not press the point.
III give you better than O. sofa"
he said There's a spare bed, and
you'd better not start in the morn
ing; give them time to cool down
Then toward evening you can make
dash. The servants here are all
right; they'll think you are a friend
run down from town to see me. I'll
arrange all that"