Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-26

Ssiant. SDgy,'viSso 1880, bv the Public Ledger Co.
c,pApGo turned and stared at the
Sar,vet hedge behind him. 1t was thick
h,sbv and in its full summer green,
anu seemed to him that he saw
ous usaa.cript shape behind. Who's
inuo..,saST he demanded. Somebody lis
tepTrnns. teTns.s was a curious cackle Of laugh,
from behind the hedge; then the
..scted. husky voice spoke again.
HYoung man, don't you move or look
:, u YOU we're talking to anybody. Do
ss, know where the King OF NADIA
s..car w. public house is in this quarter
- the town, young mann
dNo!' answered Spargo. 'Certainiy
not!"
at outside. young man. continued the
sueer voice of the unseen person. 90
tbere, and wait at the corner by the
4 King Of Madagascar, and IN come
1 there to you at the end OF halt an hour.
Then I'll tell you something, young
,aa.s.nnl-I'll tell you something. Now run
.y n Young man, run away TO the
TinS Of Madagascar--1'm coming "
NtTS6 T6e voice ended in low, horrible
elimination which made Spargo feel
caaor But he was young enough to be
~ lave with adventure, and he inn
.d;otelv turned on his heel without so
n,vcb as a glance at the privet hedge,
nna went across the garden and through
su shs house. and let himself out at the
door And at the next corner of the
sSvare ha met a policeman and asked
Nm IL he knew where the King OF
Madagascar was.
"rirst 10 the right, second to the
,oft :, answered the policeman tersely:
..You can't miss it anywhere round
,bere--it's landmark.
And Spargo found the landmark--a
Great, square built tavern--easily. and
be waited at a corner OF 1t wondering
what he was going to see, and intensely
curious about the owner OF the queer
voice, with oil its suggestions OF he
t,nsn, moi what, And suddenly there
"a ma nm TO him an old woman and leered
ot him In a fashion that made him sud-
denly realize how dreadful old age may
be.
Spargo had never seen such IN old
woman as this in his life.
she was dressed respectfully. better
than respectably. Her gown was good !;
her bonnet was smart; her smaller fit
tings were good. But her face was evil !;
Il showed unniistakable signs OF a long
devotion to the bottle; the old eyes
leered and ogled, the old lips were
wicked. Spargo felt a sense of disgust
almost amounting to nausea, but he
was going to hear what the old harridan
had to say and he tried not to look what
he felt. ., , ..,,
"wel?" =.
"Well, young man, there you are,''
said his new acquaintance. Let us
20 inside, young man; there's n quiet
little place where lady can sit ant
take her drop OF gin--I'll show you
And IL you're good to me. I'll tell yor
something about that cat that you wer'
talking to just now. But you'll give mt
a little matter to put in my pocket
young man? Old ladies like me have
right to buy little comforts, you know
little comforts.
Spargo followed this extraordinar,
person into a small p2rlor within; tn
attendant who came in response to
ring showed no astonishment at be
presence: he also seemed to know
exactly what she required, which wa
certain brand Of gin,. sweetened ant
kwarm. And Spargo watched her cur
)ously as, with shaking hand, she pushet
|up the veil which hid little Of her wicke
old face. and lifted the glass to he
mouth with zest which was not thirs
but pure greed Of liquor. Almost in
stantly he saw a new light steal int
her eyes, and she laughed in voic
that grew clearer with every sound sh
made.
All, young manv' she said with
al q Al
made Spargo long to get up and fly
~, III wanted that! It's done me good
When I've finished that, you'll pay To-
another for me--and perhaps another
THEY'LL do ME still more good. An,
you II give me little matter of money
won't you, young MANI"
Not till l know what I'm giving |
for replied Spargo.
You'll be giving it because m goin,
TO tell you that II it's made worth m
while can tell you, or somebody tha
Sent you, more about Jane Baylis thai
anybody in the world. I'm not go,n
70 tell you that now, young man-I'n
sure you don't carry in your pocke
what | shall want for my secret, no
you, by the look OF you! I'm onl,
secret, Eh?"
! WHO are you! y as ked Spargo.
Inc woman leered and chuckled
What are you going to give me
young man"" she asked.
M Spargo put his fingers In his pocke
and pulled out two half sovereigns.
Look here" he said. showing hi
companion the coins, ''if you can tell M
anything OF importance you shall hav
'nese' But no trifling, now. And ne