Evening star., 1923-07-15
Another Gray. Ghost
Story.

YIAMY Pelham opened the en-
velope on which was engraved
tho royal crest of Malthuria.
~ A grin Of amusement was su-
perseded by a frown as he read the
invitation.
bad newsi" asked Dickenson, his
valet, secretary and man Of all work.
Dickenson was emphatically not a
servant. Having, in his former ca
pacity as Maine guide. drunk from
the same cup and slept beneath the
same blankets as his employer, and
having, furthermore, that decent feel
ing of equality that is inherent in
state of Maine men, he neither look
ed upon himself as a mental nor per-
mitted 2any one else to do SO. His
manner toward Jimmy Pelham. once
an idling millionaire, but now the
consulting partner in the Tryon De-
tective Agency was that OF an ad-
miring friends
Pelham to6sed the letter to the ex-
guide. "Slim," he said, quizsically,
many and many a time. permitting
your snobbishness to get the better
of you-''
"Huhl Ne snob! Why. IL king
asked me to kiss his hand I'd make
him kiss my fist," declared Slim.
Proving my case" chuckled Pei
ham. You'd hit king to brag about
it. Well. as l was saying when you
interrupted me, for many years you
have shown a womanish curiosity as
TO the doings, the manners and the
appearance of what are vulgarly
r;o fS
wish to meet a real scion OF royalty
in his rather unattractive flesh, here's
your chance. will lend you evening
clothes; 7 will even tax myself to the
extent of providing a limousine to
convey you to the party given by
his royal highness Prince Ladislaus
of Malthuria."
DICKENSON'S eyes cleaned. He
- read the invitation, signed by an
equerry, inviting Mr.. James Pelham
to attend dinner dance at the new
Cafe Ravasan on the following night.
But they won't let me in. I ain't
yeu," protested Dickenson.
Merely show the card of admis-
sion; no one will question you; 1t will
be too big an affair" said Pelham.
Suppose they find out amt real
guest" argued Dickenson.
In that case a couple Of oily NAL
thurians will throw you out on your
neck" grinned his employer.
Dickinson clenched two knotted
fists. I'll be doin' u little THROWN
myself about that time"
Pelham laughed. "Ordinarily, Slim,
I'd not turn over an invitation. But
his highness is not person for
whom I care particularly"
How'd you happen to know him?'
asked Dickenson.
MET him at club in Paris. He's
royal. all right. but he. has no king
dom. After the war Malthuria be
came republic. They kicked out the
princes father, who shortly died
The prince, when I knew him. had
borrowed from every money-lender in
Europe. and l heard that he wound
up by being barred from decent
houses and clubs. Forgot to pay his
gambling debts"
Pretty much of skunk, hey?'
commented Dickenson. Where dees
he get the dough to give parties like
this?"
Pelham shrugged. Search me
Where did Jake Ravssan get the cap
ital to finance a Park avenue cafe?"
Who's he?" asked Dickinson.
Besides being the ostensible pro-
prietor of the Cafe Ravasan, he's one
Of the fllthiest crooks unhung. I've
II,
was a witness in that big gambling
murder case a dozen years ago"
"And society goes 20, party given
by q booted-out prince in 9 cafe run
By an .ex-crook." said Dickenson Gym
icaily.
Pelham laughed. "Ravasan isn't an
ex-orook. either. From what Jerry
Tryen told me. Ravasan has been
about yard ahead of the police all
his life. Where he got the capital to
start this new venture nobody knows
His entertainers. even If you discount
their press agents, must cost twelve
or fifteen hundred a week"
He smiled. well, If every one in
New York had to explain where he
got 1t, nobody would dare to admit
that he had 1t. Go to your party
Slim Shake the. royal hand Of his
royal highness. and step on Ravasan's
toes if you have the chance"
TIL do all those things, only If the
prince gives me an ugly look and
bust some one on the way" said
Dickenson.
TIMMY PELHAM came of an old New
) York family. Behind him was q
tradition that included not merely
money but culture. He resented with
all his aristocratic soul the intrusion
int othe circles of the elect the fat
profteers and their red-knucklet
wives. That his own present profes.
sion was perhaps not one honored BY
all mon did not affect his attitude TO-
ward the parvenu. He was wagine
warfare against the greatest crool
Of the day-the Gray Ghost-and wa,
rendering a service to society. HI
considered his profession honorable
and worthy Of q gentleman.
Although Pelham had not beer
present, when scandal broke abou
. the royal head OF the prince, tn
claimant to Malthuria's throne knew
that Jimmy Pelham must be cogniz
ant of the hushed-up opprobrium.
was an impertinence Of Ladislaus
then, to invite Jimmy Pelham to tn,
party. ''
And now that one came to con
slider the matter. Prince Ladislau
had added gaucherie to impertinence
pelham's invitation seemed like al
after-thought, issued only a day be
fore the event was to take place.