The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-10-01
os.. sy sRsN1Asos onss BY THE RlDewAy eOreAsU

myself wide open to an offer, this
communication through you is the
first word I have received either d.
rectly or indirectly"
Sure. They wanted to try the
cops and all the rest of it, and learn
just how tight they had you tied up.
Now that they think you're desper-
ate, they're ready to do business
His alert glance caught sight Of the
returning Bryan making his way to-
ward them through the outer office,
and, without altering his attitude, he
changed his tone to one of querulous
representations
IF you'll quit your arguing and do
as 1 say, we'll soon see if there's any
thing in it or not. A hat isn't going
to set you back more than 25 or So
dollars and you'd hand that out any
Gay to one of your high-priced dicks
and think nothing of it,"
"Oh. come along, then" Ranger
took his cue in a way that even
Charlie had to approve. But mind
you" he got up with the air of
yielding against his Judgment
haven't the slightest hope that any
thing will come of it."
"Ah, Bryan with an assumption
of eagerness. You saw the girl at
headquarters? Did she-No? Only
another disappointment, eh?'
Signing, he picked up his hat, and
he and Charlie left the office. Outside,
he dismissed his chauffeur and. driv-
ing the car himself, proceeded to a
millinery shop on a cross-street in the
Fifties
When the odd pair entered this fem
mime Mecca of cunningly arranged
mirrors and carefully tinted walls. the
strayed princess who received them
gave the sugared languor of her smile
exclusively to Ranger; the other per
son was, Of course, impossible. But
after she had brought out several hats,
setting forth with soft fiuency the des-
Inability of each. Ranger failed to
meet her expectations. He appeared
more bewildered and uncertain every
minute.
1t was then that Juarez Charlie
boldly projected himself into the situa-
ton.
You've got the wrong steer alto
gether. little one" he said briskly.
These lids are all right for Fifth
Ave; but we want something that will
stand out like an English flag in an
Irish street parade-something so out
of style that no swell dame would be
caught dead in it, or so into style that
If 1t showed up along Forty-Second
ST., they'd have to call out the re-
n r.
A more human smile broke through
the veneer of the princess superb
ority. He was speaking her lam
guage. Fresh; she'd say so. But he
kenw what he wanted all right and
was able to spill it so that she could
understand.
The princess was genuinely in.
trigued. She sought, she found a
bizarre shape. gave 1t a pinch in here,
flare out there. thus UNNECESSARILY
heightening its absurdity. She pinned
Oh towering spirals Of ribbon, and
trailed feathers a shoulder-length
over the brim.
do you ,approve?" she asked,
glancing up archly as she placed II
On her head.
Couldn't be better!' Charlie was
enthusiastic. Now run, bright eyes,
! and sew it together with your own
pretty fingers"
Ranger hurriedly placed, a bill in
those same figures, and she went.
humming a song, to return presently
with the completed hat in a box.
A long drive was before them. their
objective Charles lodgings. These
were in stark, detached house sad
ly in need Of paint in an isolated
neighborhood on the outskirts Of
Brooklyn.
Then as they drew up before the
gate, Charlie gave sudden exclama-
ton and leaped out to examine three
rude chalk marks scrawled as though
child had done it across on of the
posts Of the sagging paling fence.
What is it? Another messenger"
demanded Ranger. who had climbed
out of the car and was also bending
over to inspect the marks.
mo; but it tells where the mes
sage is to be found" And beckon-
ing his companion to follow, he started
| fer the railroad tracks just below.
! A short distance from the crossing
was a siding with a string of box
cars standing along it. Charlie pointed
/ to them.
That's where Wen find the mes
sage all right" he announced conf
IDENTIFY. But although they went over
the entire line of cars, even climbing
/ up to inspect the tops of them, no
| sign of anything resembled a COM
munication was to be found.
Nonplused and puzzled, they rushed
back to the house. Then. as Charles
/ rowing glance fell on the motor, he
startled and gasped. by Godfrey
/ Lorry! Somebody's come along and
| swiped the hat
! He was right. The large, gaily
/ decorated box which they had left
en- the rear seat of the tonneau was
/ gone.
There, upon the cushion of the seat