Arizona republican., 1921-03-11
CHAPTER XVII


 We hit Angel City at it's hottest for a coupla weeks of rest The Wildcats had just completed hard schedule of games. Oniy one outfit, a strong out field nine had trimmed us.
 Not that we expected to be altogether idle in Angel City We had a battle billed with a colored club. and a very important tussle with an all-star az gregation of former eastern college cracks. The boys had set their hearts on winning this last contest with Brewster in the box. He had yet to lose game for the Wildcats. fluffy Doyle. also, was chewing about wanting to mill at Vernon We really promised to be fairly busy.
 The negro nine we were dIie to play was known as the Black Sox, and Fred dy Hopper declared they were a rip snorting bunch of balltossers. They were gonna give my sterling athletes a decided whirl
 The evening before our combat with the Dark Hose. looked for Exeter Washington Ambrose in vain.
 Where's Eczenla?" I ask Muddy Clay and Ieffy Doyle, putting in on | their game 'of straight pool. He's down in Darktown somewhere" Mudy grins. He took his cantering cubes along
 "Eczemt thinks them educated dice of his will win lotta jacks away from | these Angel City darkies'' Tuffy adds He'll need wagon to bring it back maybe
 When you want that black rascal he's just like the highwaymen they have always missing I grumble.
 The next morning Eczema was abroad bright and early, his duslSy face beaming. His chest hadn't been out CD Q. cir hn dax, 1ot h a0d la hot one wonderful catch at Fir Forks. At breakfast heard all about it.
 .sEczema had the old worries gallop- ing right noble last night says Johnny Worth. He cleaned out Darktown He says Lady Luck was at his elbow every second.''
 T heard he got everything one poor duck owned, and was just going to throw for his secondhand flivver when the unlucl<y guy quit cold Old Elk is a gambling fool, I'll say" adds Tiny Crumb
 ~Yeh, he cops the nonskid water melon,' laughs Curly Bloom. With all their jack gone those colored gents won't be able to bet on the game. and we oughta win easy"
 No. we won't win easy I warn. Those boys can sure get around the i lot. and we'll be playing on their own egg ranch. too.'
 Ho to pitcA, cHlel DUCK 1oTn queries.
 Lefty, I guess. I hear they don't hit the southpaws much Well, he'll be all right against bru- nets, but he's the Swiss moth balls against blonds, chirps Tuffy Doyle. and a young riot nearly comes off
 Going back to my bivouac on Spring street after the morning exercise I found the door. of my room partly open. Thinking the maid was giving the joint l the once-oevr I showed in. At my en- trance a man leaped up from some of my baggage and handed me startled 1 look.
 And this bird had black mustaehe! Evidently up to the same tricks he had 1 been trying once before, in Medbank
 Well, I got up in the act this time.' ' I snap. The old hoosgow for you, MT 1 Black Mustache!'
 .'Oh, let's be reasonable, Mir McGuff, T he says, quite cool
 1 'Reasonable?" yodel. I'm the most reasonable cookie you ever saw, mister. i But when I find bird going through my stuff, and I know it ain't the first I time, well-''
 Tt IS the first time. You were too fast for me in Medbank," this bullet remarks, calm and brazen.
 50 you admit you were monkeying huh?p I growl. q have a notion to sap ' d benny"
 Don't he smiles. 'It might be bad luck-for you. No need to call police either. I'm not a burglar. I'm a de tective."
 T suppose so.' I utter. real heavy.
 My name is William Hyde and am of the firm of HarlSer and Hyde, pri vate detectives
 But why pick on me?H I had heard of Harker and Hyde. and this bird was pretty cool. He wasn't worried a bit.
 Because I happen to be working tc protect the interests of young Valentine Brewster" snaps this guy. and I also happen to know Judge Curtis is paving you money to keep him away iron home-and I want to know why!"
 Look here!" l yodel If Judge Curtis is paying me, m earning tht coin honestly and not searching othel peoples rooms. if V Morgan Brewster or any other bird thinks
 ''Brewster's thoughts are his own, cuts in Hyde 50 are mine I apolo- gize for having to play the sneak. bu over little things If you are hones sorry. If not, you'u be the sorry one I advise you to keep your skirts clea if you don't want heap of trouble, Mr Matthew Micheal McGuff,'
 And with that volley the man Of tn, black mustache strolled outa my room like the stage villain in the third act
 while l stared after him as if I Wer the original Steve Stupid himself