The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-05-26
'"The Dark Star"
By ROBERT W. CHAMBERS
Neeland and SengOun Enter the Ger
man Cafe des Bulgars, Where
Trouble Is I'm Store For Them.


emptied his goblet and smiled
generally upon everybody.
81 hope he will make our acquaint-
ance and ask up to play he said.
''I'm very lucky at chemin-de-fer
And il I lose 1 shall conclude that
there is trickery. Which would
make 1t very lively for everybody
he added with a boyish smile. But
his dark eyes began to glitter and
he showed his beautiful, even teeth
when he laughed
Wants Some Action.
"Ha.' he said "a little what You
call a mix-up might not come
amiss. That gives one an appetite:
that permits one to perspire: that
does good to everybody and makes
one sleep soundly, Shall we, as you
say in America, start something"
Neeland. thinking OF Ali-Baba
and Golden Beard and OF their IN
doubted instigation by telegraph or
the mornings robbery. wondered
whether the RENDEZVOUS OF the rob
bers might not possibly be here in
the Cafe des Bulgars.
The gang OF Americans in the
train had named Kestner, BresIau.
gang whom he had never seen-as
prospective partners in this enter
prise.
Here. somewhere in this building.
were their gambling headquarters.
Was there any possible chance that
the stolen box and its contents
might have been brought here for
temporary safety?
Might it not now be hidden
somewhere in this very build
ing by men too cunning to
risk leaving the city when
every train and every road would
be watched within an hour OF the
time that the robbery was COM
mitted?
Leaning back carelessly on the
lounge and keeping his eyes on the
people in the cafe, Neeland i'm
parted these ideas to Sengouu in a
low voice-told him everything he
knew in regard to the affair, ana
asked his opinion.
Wants To Do Searching.
my opinion" said Sengoun. who
was enchanted at any prospect Of
trouble, els that this house is 'sus-
pect' and is worth searching. OF
course the project could be notified.
arrangements made, and a search by
secret police managed. But, Nee
land, my friend. think OF what
pleasure we should be deprived,'
How do you mean?"
"Why not search the place out
selves?"
How
well. of course. we could be pie
turesque, go to my embassy, and MI
ur pockets with automatic pistols.
and come back here and-weil, make
them stand around and see how
high they could reach with both
hands"
NeeIand laughed.
That would be a funny Jest.
wouldn't it?" said Sengoun.
Every funny. But" He
nudged Sengoun and directed his at
tention toward the terrace outside.
where walters were already remov-
ing the little iron tables and the
chairs, and the few lingering guests
were coming inside the cafe.
Il see" muttered Sengoun: eft j.
already Sunday morning, and they're
It's too late to go to the
embassy. They'd not let us in here
when we returned
Neeland summoned a waiter with
4 nod:
when do you close up inside
here?'
Tomorrow being Sunday. the ter
race closes now. monsieur; but the
cafe remains open all night" ex-
planned the waiter with a notice
able German accent.
Thank you" And, to Sengoun:
I'D certainly like to go upstairs-
I'd like to see what it looks like up
there-take a glance around
Every well. let US go up
I'VE ought to have some ex-
cuse-
We'll think OF several on the
way" rising with alacrity. but Nee
land pulled him back.
Not Counting Trouble.
wait moment. II would only
mean a fight-'
"AIl fights" explained Sengoun.
seriously, ARE agreeable-somS
more so. SO if you are ready, dear
But a row will do Us no good
Pardon, dear friend. I have been
in serious need of one for an hour
or two
Il don't mean that sort OF good"
explained Neeland. laughing. -
mean that l wish to look about up
-here-explOre-
quite right. old feIIow-always
right, But-here's an idea: I couIu
stand at the head of the stairs and
throw them down as they mounted.
while you had leisure to look aroun1
for your stolen box"
My dear Prince Erik. we've
only one way to set upstairs with
any chance Of learning anything
useful. And that is TO start a row
between ourselves. And. raising
his voice as though irritated. he
jailed for the reckoning. adding in
1 tine perfectly audible TO anybody
in the vicinity thar he knew where
was played. and that he
was going whether or not his friend
accompanied him.
SCngOun. delighted. recognized
his cue. and protested in loud.
nasal tones that the house to which
MS comrade referred was suspected
IF unfair play: and a noisy dispute
he pretty but brightly painted
-dSlilNAr AiN " OUTS llit EcEdllls ana
every guest in the neighborhOod.
Not To BE TrfrkPd.
AS for me" cried ScnGOun. feign-
ing TO lose his temper. Il have no
intention Of being trickcd. l was
not born yesterday-not I, IT
here is 10 be found an honest wheel
n Paris that would suit me. Other
wise, ! go home to bed -
1t iS an honest wheel I. toll
yoU----''
1t is not ! know that pIarcF-