Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-12-17
TIII. HIGHER STREAM.

by Damian Diamond
John Thorn opened one eye. then
the other"
Mogan santry spoke: Don't move
or I'll shoot"
is this part OF my training"
"Did you write this note
Hantry gave Thorn the note.
Never saw II before.
'A.l right. so to sleep
In the morning Bantry called John
into his office and said.
Thorn. ! hired you to get No (.
Can yoD do IT,"
II | can"
AN right. You know he has red
hair and black nose"
Rose Bantry had taken a dislike TO
John Thorn. She was afraid of him.
So she had told Chippcm's. the old
indian servant, to watch him and tell
her what he did
She Was now sizing In the study.
Sh" rang Il bell FOR Chippcu's. Ia a
minute he rapcared.
Tell Thorn | want him" She was
going 10 accuse him OF being an
enemy OF her fathers.
When he entered she was seated at
the piano! BE seated.
lie took chair and waited.
Tell mo some OF your past lifc."
He cleared his throat and began.
When my father died WAS poor,
so l came out here TO make my for
tune. Rut am still poor
She had loft the piano and taken n
chair near him Her violin lay ON
The piano.
lie now walked over to it. picked
it UP ana began to play old time
songs. The music thrilled her When
he was through. he said:
II will he going now"
She held out her hand and no
took it. Her eyes allied and she
blushcd.
That night. when Morgan Bnntry
got into bed he found n note under
the covers. |, read:
IL Will be at the Deans house
warming party and II Mrs. Dean
wears her pearl necklace. will
steal It.
Number {.
The Deans HON" was like all the
homes around that part OF the coun-
had eight rooms.
But on the inside IL was furnished
like a New York house. When Nor
gan Bantry arrived he went TO Mr..
and Mrs. Dean, they too had note
from number four the same as Ban
try's.
have men on all sides OF the house
and at the doors and know every
/ man here both me and deputy are
armed TO the teeth. will keep your
necklace In my pocket y little while
later Bantry was sitting before the
fire all the company was dancing in
| tho same room. lie held the neck
! lace in his hands. lie happened &c
! loop M and saw leaning against tn,
! fireplace Il man with red hair and
| hawk nose. The company had
! stopped dancing 10 look at the neck
! lace. The young man took the neck
lace out OF Bantry's hand saying Mrs
| Dean asked me 10 bring her the neck
| lace. lie WAS at the door now. Ban
try l"ared wp drawing his gun.
stop or III shoot, don't know
YOU"
The young man laugh;cd yes
you do I'm Number L."
The pistol in Rautry's hand went
| on; Number waved good by and
ran out the front door.
! Morgan Bamtry stood spccchloss,
! Then he Knocked out the chamber OF
/ his pistol. it was loaded with blanks
Then the spell broke and every man
in the house ran after Number /.
MorGan's deputy, John Thorn, was
| near the lead.
Duck he's behind that rock"
! Everybody crawlcd toward the
| rock. hut Number was not there. SO
they gave up the chase.
ON the way back To Rantrys sa-
loon. John was unusually merry, he
| talked freely.
Lets play cards" he said. TIN
going To win Your money tonight"
| They played and John won Men
| crowded around the table To see the
! iirst game Bantry had ever lost. John
| Thorn spoke. 'Bantry. you are play
! ing with your match tonight. be
cause I'm Number !. You took tho
only friends ever had and now
am going 10 take yours"
! He reached into his pocket and
drew from it Mrs. Deans necklace.
There. civ" it back TO her must
go now. your daughter is waiting
for mo"
The End.
! Notice-This story was not coined
by pAMEoN PAUL pAMORE.