The Washington times., 1919-05-10

That's what Quint wants; that's
what he's payin' for and gettin'
paid for-inside information from
the embassy and Consulate
What does ouint want OF that7''
demanded Curfoot. aStonished.
How do L know: Blackmail?
Graft? I can't call the dope. But
listen here. Don't forget that it
amt Quint who wants it It's the
big feller behind him who's backln'
him. It's some swell guy higher up
who's payin' Quint. And Quint, he
pays US. So where's the squeal
coming?"
where's the holler:" insisted
Stull.
II amt hollerin,' am I? Only this
here is new stun to me-"
Keeping Eye On Each other.
Listen, Doc. I don't know what
it is, but all these here European
kings Is settin' watchin' one an
other like toms in a back alley. I
think that some foreign political
high-upper wants dope on what our
Like this, he says to himself: I
hear this Kink is building ten 500
per ferry-boats. If that's right,
oughta know. And hear that the
Queen of Marmora has ordered a
million new nifty ffty-shot bean
shooters for the Boy Scouts. That
is. in deed, serious news!" So he
goes to his broker, VINO goes to
big Teller, who goes to Quint, who
goes to US. Flag me?
Sure"
That's all. There's nothing to
it, Says Quint to US: Trim a few
guys for me and get their letters
says Quint; and there's somethin'
in it. for me and you" And that's
the new stun, Doc"
"You mean we're spies?"
''Spies? I don't know. We're on
a salary. We get a big bonus for
every letter we find on the car
pet" He winksd at Curfoot and
relighted his cigar.
say" said the latter, "it's like 4
creeping joint. It's a panel game.
Ben"
Its politics like they play 'em
in Albany, only it's ambassadors
and kinks we trim, not corpora
atoms"
I'VE can't do it. What the hell
do we know about kinks and at
taches?"
NO; weishelm, Breslau, and
Kestner do that. We lay for the
attaches or spin or deal or act
handy at the bar and buffet
with homesick Americans. No.
the fine work-the high-up stuff,
is done by Breslau and Weishelm.
And 1 guess there's some fancy
skirts somewhere in the game. But
they're silent partners; and anyway
Weishelm manages that part"
Curfoot, one Iank knee over the
other. swung his foot thoughtfully
to and fro, his ratty eyes lost in
dreamy revery. Brandes tossed his
half-consumed cigar out of the open
window and set fire 10 another.
Stull waited for Curfoot to make
up his mnd. After several minutes
the latter looked up from his cum
ming abstraction:
Just Plain Spies.
well, Ben, put it any way you
like, but we're just plain political
spies And what the hell do they
hand US over here II we're pinch
ed?"
II don't know. What OF it,"
Nothing. II there's good money
in it. I'll take a chance"
There is. Quint backs US. When
we get 'em coming"
"Ah," said Doc with a wry face,
that's all right for the cards or
the wheel. But this pocket pick
ing"
Say; that amt what I mean. It's
like this: Young Fitznoodle OF the
embassy staff gets soused and
starts out lookin' for a quiet game.
We furnish the game. We don't
go through his pockets; we just
pick up whatever falls out and take
shorthand copies. Then back go
the letters into Fitznoodle's poe
ket-"
Yes. Who reads 'em nrst:'
"Breslsu. Or some skirt, maybe"
What's Breslau?"
Search me. He's a Dutchman
or Rooshian or some sort of Dodo.
What do you care?"
Il don't. All right, Ben You've
got to show me; that's all"
SHOW you what?"
spot cash.
you're in when you handle it,
IF you show me real money
yes"
You're on. I'll cash a cheaue OF
CUNTS for you at Monroe's soon as
we hit the asphalt! And when you
finish counting out your gold
nickels put EN- in your pants and
play the game! Is that right?'
s.Yes."WeH Satisfied With Work.
They exchanged a wary hand
shake: then, one after another,
they leaned back in their seats with
the air of honest men who had done
their days work.
Curfoot blinked at Brandes, at his
excessively groomed person, at his
rings.
You look prosperous. Eddie"
ITS mis- business TO-" remarked
Stull.
Brandes yawned:
1T would be a raw deal il there's
a war over here" he said listlessly.
All" said Curfoot, there won't
be none"
Why
"The Jews and bankers wont let
these kinks mix it."
That's right. too" nodded
Branes.
But StuIl said nothing and his
sour, pasty visase turned sourer. 1t
was the one possibility that dis
turbed him-the only fly in the
amber-the only mote that troubled
his clairvoyance. Also, he was
the only man among the three
who. didn't think Il thing was
certain to happen merely because