Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-02-22

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young man kept close to him. When
carrying out OF his orders, he was re
minded Of the others presence.
May ! have that word now, Mr..
Hamiltonf"
The voice was decidedly pleasant the
smile which Hamilton whirled about to
see, was the same pleasant smile.
+ "Well7'' demanded the steel safe
man. ''What do you want?"
| That's simple" laughed the other.
His words, very distinct, we're clearly
meant for Hamilton's ears alone. II
want to save you $4,000 II you don't
%,nd; gor lovss1d And ia like to make like sum
Hamilton, the most matter Of. fact
stared at him wonderingly. The young
man met his gaze frankly, his lips
twitching as with amusement.
WHO the devil are your" demanded
Hamilton.
A neatly engraved card, eminently
proper as to style and form, was pre-.
sented by u neatly glovcC hand. The
card read, Robert Ashe, Expert"
"Expert" Hamilton lifted his
brows, first CLEAN of interest
quickening his glance. "What sort Of
expertY'
"All Sorts" laughed Mr.. Ashe
genially. Let us say expert on life,
lyric, lyric :, poetry and burglar
Damn it, snapped Hamilton, turn
fn, ing away. Il haven't any time for
But evidently Mr.. Ashe was neither
TO be dismissed nor disgruntled this
morning. Still at Hamilton's side he
put forth a OBTAINING hand while with
another he held out a banknote.
It's. hundred dolla;s,'' he said
carelessly. mot much, but maybe II
would pay even busy man like you
ior half an hour of his time
in case my proposition fails to interest
With men like Hamilton money
talks" The bill in his own hand he
regarded Robert Ashe keenly and with
growing interest. After the big safe
was properly placed, the other safes
could be entrusted to Harley and Rush.
so after q few more words he and Mr..
Ashe stepped into Hamilton's car and
drove back to the Offices.
The distinctive thing about this young
man, Hamilton told himself as they sped
down Market street, was that he wore
gloves at this time of day. You might
80 dozen times up and down San
F'rancisco's main thoroughfarc and not
chance upon another gloved man. In
the private Office. however, fronting each
other, he saw that there were many
distinctive things about this we'll
groomed, handsome young fellow.
He had said something idiotic about
poetry. Damn it," thought Hamilton,
that's what he is. A crazy poet!"
For, so far as Hamilton Hamilton was
concerned, poetry was pretty closely
synonymous with slush. drivel and a
vast mental vacuity.
The large eyes, soft for n mans and
luminous, were those OF q dreamer Of
dreams; the tender mouth, the eager
face alight with the CLEAN of Joyous
youth, were those of a poet. As i'm.
maculate as a fashion plate, as suayc
as politician, as handsome as
Shelley, as proud as Lucifer ~
such an anomaly was Robert Ashc, cx-
pert upon life, lyric poetry and burglar
proof safes. :.
With a quiet, IF you don't mind?"
Ashe took the telephone from Hamil-
tons desk. Into it he said pleasant,
Good morning." And then, "It's
shame to disturb you so carly since you
didn't get much sleep last night. But
II you'd care to call at the offices of
woodward, Haynes & Hamilton. YOU
might be interested in little private
of their latest burglar
proof safe. Yes this is Ashe."
IF you don't mind" said Hamilton
irritablly, well get down to business"
This is one of your new safes?"
Ashe stepped across the room to it,
STOPPING to read the legend upon the
heavy door. "Just like the one at Man
del's. only smaller?"
Yes. What about it?"
"if you'll put that hundred dollar
oill In it, returned Ashe, "the one I |
"You viii, will youf' rrunted
And then, q bit suspieiously
Who was that you just called up?"
One Of the young fellows rarely con.
aSious smiles filled his eyes with shin.
ng merriment.
oh, he's a very particular friend
4 mine. Police Lieutenant Ambrose.
lie rooms only couple of blocks from
ere, and If I'm. not mistaken he will
e with us almost before you have got
he bill in the safe, the door shut, and
We got my gloves off. A very en-.
husiastic sort of man Is Lieutenant
AMBROSE"
What do you want him here for?'
MY dear MIR. Hamilton, to give an
xact reason for the many complex emo
ions commonly actuating US in the per-
ormance of even a very ordinary sort
act Is generally absolutely impossible.
am not keen on analysis. anyhow. I'd
ay asked him to come so. that he
light in a way introduce US and
lst for fun"
Pre- eminently was Mr.. Hamilton
hamilton business man, sober mind
d, matter Of fact. His visitor had
lade statement which Hamilton was
no mind to accept without proof. If
he thing we're true 1t might mean a
'emeudous business tragedy. Hamilton
'ould make it his affair to learn il this
Dung man were bluffing.
The hundred dollar banknote was still
/ his hand. lie swung the safe door
pen. dropped the note inside, busted
imself a moment with the combina-
on, sheltering the mechanism with his
ody from any look Ashe might direct
,ward it, and softly closed the door.
"Thcre you are" he said, as he got
} his feet. Go ahead"
IF you can spare a moment" asked
she, do you mind waiting for the
Lieutenant Ambrose came within
less than five minutes. Hear !
lg knock at the outer office door
she said coolly:
"If you'll welcome him. Mr.. Ham
ton, perhaps he can satisfy any curl
'ity you may have concerning me-"
Ambrose was in uniform. Hamilton,
,ing to him, said sharply:
There's a man named Ashe here.
e claims he can open one of our
lfes. It's nonsense of course, but