Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-06-10

CAPTAIN FRANCIS NEWCOMER, ex-
officer In the great war. who breaks
into society. but who IL really
shadow vsrne. noted figure Of under
steals that have set London agog.
PAUL CREMARRE. noted French
thief, who has met Ncwcombe in
the back waters of the war. along
EUNNELLs. a valet. who has done
some big thefts on his own account.
THE FOURTH sTRAGGLER. who
he1rs tho crooks agree to combine
after the >armistice and who' disap-
HOLLY wICKEs, a fower-girl, whom
Newcombc has adopted and sent TO
the idea OF insuring social contacts
Of the best before he leaves England.
after executing some big hauls. She
is the friend of
trio millionaire. and her guest on a
hig show place on the Florida keys.
NR. MARLIN, the mad masnate. has
Ears. the existence of which New
Sombe learns inadvertently from
his beautiful ward.
HOWARD LOCKE, SON OF a big busf-
Runnells to Florida on his steam
launch. He falls In love with Polly.
"Marlin's . Bit Queer in the Head"
arctic from his lips.
Marlin" he repeated. mot
Jonathan p. Marlin, by any chance ?"
ded.
"Whew." The young American
whistled softly under his breath.
Captain Francis Newcombe lifted
his eyebrows inquiringly.
You know him." he asked.
mo-" Locke answered. mot
personally. know OF him, OF
course. Everybody does. And l
don't want to be nosy and butt in, and
YOU can heave that glass at me by
way of reply IL you like. but how
In the world do you happen to know
him?"
Il don't" he said. my ward,
who has been over here at school
for the last few years, has been a
classmate OF Miss Marlin. and she
is spending part Of the summer
with them"
ooh, I see." Howard Locke tap
ped the end OF his cigarette on the
edge OF an ash tray once or twice,
and glanced IN evident indecision
at his companion.
Go on" invited Captain Francis
Newcombe. What Is it?"
Howard Locke laughed = little
awkwardly.
well. don't know" he said.
Nothing very much. And I'm
afraid it's not done, as you English
put 1t. for me to say anything,
since he is your prospective host:
stu, as you say you are not per-
sonally acquainted with him your
self think perhaps you Ought to
know just the same.
u haven't anything definite to 70
on. no authoritive source of In
fortnation. but 1t Is rather generally
understood that old Martins gone q
bit queer in the head"
"Really!" calculated Captain
Francis Newcombe. Good Lord! I
And my wards ON this island of his
in the Florida keys. and"
There's nothing whatever to be
alarmed about" said the young
american hastily. ITS nothing like
that. He's as harmless as you are,
orias l am. It's only on one subject
---money. I suppose he was one of
the wealthiest men IN America at
the. close OF the war. and since then
he's been wiped out"
wiped out?" Captain Francis
echoed incredulously.
Comparatively, Of course" said
Howard Locke. "T don't know how
much he has got left-nobody does.
It's been the talk of the financial
district. There isn't share of
stock anywhere to be found stand
ing in his name. He sold every
thing; and how much was used to
cover losses. and how much re-
manned to himself no one knows.
You see. the last few years. to put
it mildly, have been hell in a |
financial and business way. The
aftermath of the war! History re-
peating itself. so the writers on
economies tell us. Small consola-
tion. However. Marlin met with
crash after crash. He lost millions. |
He's not young man. you know,
and it evidently got him finally in
the shape Of n monomania. Ger.
tatnly. his losses were terrific. ri
don't know whether he's got any
thing left or not"