Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-01-08


ceive and dispose of the plumber after
it's been safely gotten into the coun-
try. At least, that's the way figure
it, and -"
He touched Achison significantly on
the arm.
Here comes some one who will
bear watching. Take her in"
A WOMAN noticeable for the gross
ness of her person and the bril-
lance of her plumage was approach
ing them on the arm of young girl.
Her bulk was so vast that 1t seemed
as If the very high heels she wore
must collapse under such weight. Her
skin was dark, her features fiat and
almost indistinguishable, but her eyes
were piercing and intelligent. She
was talking volubly in French to the
young woman beside her, her CONVEX
sation punctuated with wheezy bursts
of laughter. A turban in all the COL
ors of a bandana handkerchief fitted
closely over her head, and she wore
a long cape Of glazing plaids
which. as it fell apart when she
walked. disclosed a bright purple
skirt and an equally vivid pink
blouse. A massive gold chain seemed
to be embedded in the fat folds of
her neck, and from it swung an old
miniature in a quaint and time-stain-
ed frame.
Her companion was slender. with n
trim, attractive figure gowned in
black; her face was pensive, her dark
eyes little sad.
1.-THE fat lady," said Dandy, after
the two had passed. "is probably the
most celebrated Of European me-
diums. Nine. Adelbron. She is making
her first visit to the United States to
sit for a little group of earnest
thinking scientific guys. She gave
seance at kreminoff's house just two
nights before the robbery was dis
covered"
Achison smiled broadly.
DANNY, you are Unsuitable: even the
spooks are not free from your sus-
picion. AS for the lady, she Is evil
IDENTIFY not in communication with the
best dressmakers in the great beyond I;
and If she has the jewels, she must
have been openly wearing all of them
last night.
Junk" Dandy shifted disgustedly.
II went over it all as well as
every inch of her suite, while she
and her companion were snoozing In
their steamer chairs"
"What about the girl?" asked Achi-
son.
Nothing much" The revenue man
shook his head. "a little typtst' l
imagine, that madame got cheap. No
criminal record. None Of them have,
worse luck"
you hearten me greatly, Dandy. I
was looking forward to a tedious
voyage, but now must meet both
Snaith and Nine. Adelbron."
Dandy grinned. Not through me.
I'm more intimately acquainted with
their belongings than am with
them"
ooh, we'll, I shall manage it some
way" said Achison easily. "even If l
have to seek q message from the
world beyond"
That evening saw him included in
a little group In the smoking room.
of which Snaith was a member.
One man was expressing his dis
satisfaction with the time they were
making.
1.-THE boat barely crawls," he grum-
bled. I'm impatient to get in. The
words Land in sight" will sound like
music in my ears"
speaking Of words" Achison re-
marked throughtfully. what would
you say is the most impellins phrase
in the world, the one to which all
hearts vibrate?"
"'Have one on me-" chuckled TAT
man at his right.
Other guesses were: I've just
come into a fortune" Make 1t
jackpot" Dinner is served"
Achison shook his head.
"All good, but not just the right
note yet"
1--WE got it," cried a bald. elderly
bachelor: "I love you""
NO." protested another. cts, I
want my mother""
DUT Acl1ison still shook his head.
u "Close," he said, "all of them,
but they don't quite hit the bulls
eye. Wait; it's swimming around
somewhere in the back Of my brain.
There" He made a little clutch at
the air. closing his fingers as over
some precious and fragile object, and
then slowly released his invisible
prize.
Here it is, gentlemen. Now, tell me
If it does not stir your blood as moth
ing else could. and send your fancy
roaming? 1t is: How would you
like an adventure. with a bit of
money on the side?"
His glance roved swiftly around the
group and rested for a moment on
Snaith. Caught of guard, the latter
had not time to repress the avid.
CLEAN in his eyes.
1.-THE prize goes to you. Mr.. Achi-
son." the fat man announced. as he
caught the confirmatory mods about
the circle. "we're all game, guess;
and If you know where that adj
venture is, just lead us to it,
"Ah. replied Achison with a wise
smile "Who can produce an adj
venture at will? The faculty for ad-
venture is a gift. like a talent for
music or art or letters. Adventure
is a sort Of sixth sense in certain