The Washington times., 1921-03-09

II AAClbi now nc Woo W
the return Of the precious
- paper Slower did not know,
but he decided to make no protest
before the guests that would give
IN inkling to the ex-convict and his
associate.
1t might be difficult to recover
the proxy, but 1t could he done with
the means at his dispo4al. and he
could afford to pay a good price.
Slower, under the circumstances,
was able to view the hold-up with
more composure than the rest "f
the company.
While Glare tied up the rich houl
and started out, Peter still Keep
ing a vigilent eye on the pilfered
guests handed her her own little
pistol as she passed him.
"I'll give you five minutes lee
way" he said. casually, "you know
what to do then"
The girl paused as she reached
the end of the line to cast tri-
umphant look at her victims, thon
following the instructions of Peter
she deposited the bundle as directed
and vanished.
At that moment Peter addressed
Homer Carleton. He spoke in Port
uguese to the surprise of the little
man, who thought he was the only
one in the room familiar with that
liquid language.
And this is what he said:
ATTEND, Mr.. Carleton; I've got
a job for you and'I want you to
do Just as I tell you-any back
ing and flling will be fatal to US
both; / shall come near you and
when / do, 1 want you to make .
swift lunge at my pistol arm-1
won't shoot shall pretend you
have overpowered me and fall; It's
up to you to see that you carry out
the scheme: I'll explain later: are
you game?
WILL GO AHEAD.
What was back Of the unheard
of proposal? Homer did some
rapid thinking. II Peter did not
shoot and allowed himself to be
overpowered then indeed Homer
Carleton would be the hero Of the
evening"; that was enough to Do
eide himt and besides he could not
believe that Peter was really
crooked.
He answered in Portuguese: TIN
on don't know what your game
is, but I'll go ahead with you"
Peter nodded, saying in English:
Don't give me any back talk "
and made as though to tab the
muzzle Of the gun into Homers
stomach
Acting on instructions the little
man whipped down his arm and
with a violent lunge bore Peter TO
the fioof, where he held him, ap-
parentiy struggling like q madman
to free himself.
At once the whole room was IN
pandem onium: the men leaped to
the assistance of the belligNrent
young attache, and In tSe melee
Homer received a good many moro
bruises than he counted for. :.
1t was Slower advancing to deal
Pster a blow he wouldn't forget,
who received his surprise Of the
evening; the butler was not too
firmly held to deliver q punch on
the point of the ex-warden's Jaw
which felled him in the middle oa
the floor.
.Get the pofice- yelled MrA
barley, and herself dashed Tor tho
vestibule to see II the jewels were
still there. They were, ana oy tno
time Sno ndQ Tctufh hoo
Peter was the center OF q furious
crowd from which escape seemed
impossible.
Miraculously he gained his fest.
and then, twisting and wrtthfn8.
managed to stave OF his opponents
and. making a violent dash Tor the
doors, followed Clare into the outer
.Let him go!- shouted Darssy.
He turned as Mrs. barley, un-
typing the corners Of the table
cover. revealed all tho plunder
taken at such risk
ALL HERE
They're all herer she cried
A dozen surprised voiees ex-
pressed all known degrees Of sads-
faction.
-How brave Of you. MrA Dariey.
to run to the door after them-the
robber would have got them on his
way out IL 1t hadn't been for you
how can we thank you-and thah
wonderful Homer-who wouId nave
thought it-what . fortunate wom-
an to have q hero for . son-in-law
such were . few of the remarks
brought forth by the rapidly NOV
ing events of this remarkable even
Ing.
"I think I can say ono thing.
said Mrs. Darley, mo one OF you
has ever had a more exciting Time
at a party"
The bevy of semi-hysterical WON
an gathered round to pick out their
property: all save Carlotta-she was
busy holding Homer's head In tho