The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-17

No, I don't think you are.'
 T hope I didn't hurt Cholly."
 Hurt him? What we worried about was how badly he'd hurt you"
 Hurt me?" The unknown smiled.
 You smile, eh? Well, let me tell you. boy; this same inoffensive- looking Cholly is the toughest rough and-tumble man in these here parts, where we buy rough-and- tumble be- cause we can't put across fakes any more But didn't bring you here to talk about -and-tumble. What I want to know is. what's your game? You don't belong to this kind of an outfit. Is it Miss Lesmond? Because if it is. I'd rather introduce you, and let it go at that"
 Miss Desmondv' exclaimed the other. "Ah! I begin to see. You think that I'm in love with Miss Desmond and took this way to be near her? And you were all going to have your little sport watching me?"
 Has Nervous Shock
 Birch suddenly experienced the nervous shock of man groping about in the dark for matches and banging his shins against chair llcH Wudl lut QtAl1 uO you 1Qean by stealing in here and bamboozling me into giving you a job that be- longs by right to rough necked, tough skinned hoboes? You're gen. tleman; I can see thak with half an eye. If you'd been wanting to do- legitimate stuff, I could understand But pie, custard piei"
 'sWill you give me another chance at the job?" asked the young man quietly.
 What. again? why?.
 T promise to tell you on the first day of September Give me four weeks. I bribed the other man to fall down-gave him two hundred to clear out. One more chance"
 I'm sorry, but the thing is out of Cholly He left the studio in towering rage"
 Will you give me his address?r
 "There'll be trouble"
 "I'll risk that
 "Tll take you to him on one con dition.''
 And that is?"
 That this isn't one of those fool club wagers. I'm breaking a cast iron rule for you because l liked the way you laughed at Sam. the car penter. If you'll tell me that it isn't a wager, I'll see what l can do.'
 'On my honor as gentleman. mo-"
 "All right; I'll see you through. whatever your game is. But 1 cant promise you anything from Cholly. He's a genius in his way, and like all geniuses, he's queer fish at times. Come along. We can catch him be- fore he goes out to the links"
 Cholly's bungalow was in the sub urbs of Los Angeles
 There was a colony of bungalows here which belonged to the stars of the various film companies. The Jap valet, recognizing Birch, opened the door.
 Where's CholIy?'
 'In the gymnasium, sir He is bathing"
 Cholly had turned his cellar into a gymnasium, with showers at one end. The risks of his business forced him to keep in rigorous training.
 Hey, Cholly, this is Birch,"
 Cholly came out from behind the canvas shower curtains. He was per fectly developed. broad in the shoul- ders, deep in the chest and narrow at the hips. There wasn't a blemish on the smooth satiny skin.
 A suit of clothes is the most won
  vised. Padded cunningly here and there, a thin man has the outward appearance of an athlete, while the athlete himsalf cannot be distin- guished from the general run of men. Stripped. Choliy looked twice as big as when in wool. Brennan nodded understandingly. Birch was right; the man was tough.
 The comedian applied the towel vigorously, and once the water was out of his eyes, he snorted.
 Take that man away, Birch. I don't want any trouble"
 T apologize"
 T accept the apology; but we can't do business"
 "Will you do favor for me. Chollyg' asked Birch.
 Depends" answered Cholly gruffly.
 ''Give the chap one more chancen
 The comedian tied the towel around his middle and stepped into his bath slippers. He looked up suddenly, his lips wreathed in a sinister grin.
 ''I1l give him another chance upon one condition"
 And what's that?"s
 Let him put on the gloves and stand up in front of me for 10 min utes, two five minute rounds, with two minutes rest"
 T accept the condition" quietly, said Brennan. before Birch could of- fer any objections.
 ''Goodr' cried Cholly. skipping over. to the lockers and throwing out shoes, trunks and gloves. These gloves weren't chamois covered, either; they were the nearest ap- al i. r.x