The Washington herald., 1920-08-08

On the narrow stone sidewalk
OF Bonhomme street, Robbins
turned TO Dumars, with unworthy
sarcasm.
We'll. what next? Churchy
law FEM
"Absinthe," said Dumars.
With the history of the missing
money thus partially related, some
conjecture may be formed of the
sudden idea that Madame III
bault's words seemed to have
suggested to Robbins brain.
Was it so wild a surmise-that
the religious fanatic had offered
up his weather.. rather. Mad
anne Tibault's-in the shape of a
material symbol of his consum-
ing devotion? Stranger things
have been done in the name of
worship. Was it not possible tina,
the lost thousands were moulded
into that lustrous image? That
the goldsmith had formed it OF
the pure and precious metal, and
set 1t there, through some hope
of a perhaps disordered brain to
propitiate the saints and pave the
way to his own selfish glory?
That afternoon, at five minutes
to three, Robbins entered the
chapel door of the Little Sisters
of Samaria. He saw, in the dim
light a crowd of perhaps a hum
dred people gathered to attend
the sale. Most of them weru
members of various religious or
ders. priests and churchmen. come
to purchase the paraphernalia OF
the chapel, lest they fall into des-
ecrating hands. others were
business men and agents come to
bid upon the realty. A clerical
looking brother had volunteered
to WELD the hammer, bringing to
the ONCE of the auctioneer the
anomaly of choice diction ana
dignity of manner.
A few of the minor articles
were sold. and then two assist
ants brought forward the image
of the Virgin.
Robbins started the bidding at
$40. A stout man, in an ecclesi-
astical garb, went to SIS. A voice
from another part of the Grove,
raised II to $40. The three bid
alternately, raising by bids of IS.
1Et olItI was 30Us men 1ne
stout man dropped out, and Rob
bins, as a sort of coup de main.
went to 500.
"one hundred and fifty." said
the other voice.
Two hundred" bid Robbins,
boldly.
'Two-flfty." called his competi-
tor, promptly.
The reporter hesitated for the
space Of a lightning flash. esti-
mating how much he could bor-
row from the boys in the once,
and screw from the business man
ager from his next months salary
Three hundred" he offered.
"Three-fifty," spoke up the 9TH
er. in a louder voice-a voice that
sent Robbins diving suddenly
through the crowd in it's direction
to catch Dumars, its owner, fe-
rociously by the collar.
You unconverted idiot" Kissed
Robbins. close to his ear-"pool!
Agreed" said Dumars. coolly.
Il couldn't raise $3.50 with a
search warrant. but / can stand
half. What you come bidding
against me for?'
II thought I was the only fool
in the crowd" explained Robbins
No one else bidding, the statue
was knocked down to the syndi-
cate at their last offer. Dumars
remained with the prize. while
Robbins hurried forth to wiring
from the resources and credit of
both the price. He soon returned
with the money, and the two
musketeers loaded their precious
package into a carriage and drove
with it to Dumars' room, in old
Chartres street, nearby. They
lugged 1t, covered with a cloth. up
the stairs, and deposited It on a
table. A hundred pounds 1t
weighed, If an ounce. and at that
estimate, according to their cal
culation. IL their daring theory
were correct. it stood there, worth
twenty thousand golden dollars.
Robbins removed the covering.
and opened his pocketknife.
Sacre" muttered Dumarx
shuddering. TT is the Mother of
Christ. What would YOU dor
Shut up. Judas" said Robbins,
coldly. It's too late for you TO
be saved now"
with 4 firm hand. he clipped
a slice from the shoulder of the
image. The cut showed a dull,
grayish metal. with a thin coat
ing Of gold leaf.
Lead" announced Robbins,
hurting his knife to the floor
"gildedw
To the devil with It'll" said
Dumars. forgetting his scruples.
Il must have a drink"
Together they walked moodily