New Britain herald., 1924-07-23


 Ainsloy sets about 10 ind ont in aha
 way The White Eagle Is endeaYorinI i0 rob Anderson, He picks the l0cl Of The East Side residence and enters
 NOW 60 oN WITH THE STORY
 went over that house from cellal to servants quarters on the top floor In these latter rooms found nc clothing, The servants had been dis charged and had left with all theil belongings Two floors below. l en' tered a study. Behind it was tho chief bedroom of Inc house, knew that it must belong 10 the White Eagle, And in that bedroom were packed suitcascs. To that room then. the White Eagle would unques. tionahly come. But in the study was decanter Of wine and cigarettes. I' knew my cochet, there would he al least one cigarette smoked and one glass Of wine drunk in celebration oi his latest coup, In this room, then, behind great leather couch. en- sconced myself.
 But before I went into hiding I took half dozen towels from the bathroom adjoining the bcdchamber. and from the latter room took a score of apparently discarded era rats. tested each one Of these and found them satisfactory. They were no longer beautiful. but was certain that they would prove serviceable. And behind the leather couch l knotted them into four stout thongs. l had finished when l heard the front door open.
 I Cochet bounded up the stairs with an activity which enyied. l hoped that l, when l attained his years, would be as supple. He entered the room where I was hidden, snapped on the lights filled two glasses from tho dccanter on the table. and lifted one high above his head. The 1 hunchback, less active. now entered the room. Cochet greeted him loudly.
 Drink mon brave" he cried. Drink to the genius of the White Eagle. who sees and swoops and rises triumphant" Genius is too weak a word." said i the hunchback. You work miracles, my master
 He, too took the other glass from the table and drank eagerly. Cochet filled the glasses again.
 And of simplicity, Raoul," boasted the White Eagle. This pig dog of a profitecr shows us his price, less box, opens it and lets us behold the richest jewels of his so vulgar wife that geam within it. And then, as he closes the safe door, I distract his attention and you snatch the box even as the door is being closed"
 In my hiding place I nodded ap- provingly This was sleight of hand that might be matched against my own gift of legerdemain.
 The hunchback's voice was depre- eating. T have the trick of the l fingers monsieur, but what are the | mechanics hands without the artists | brains? To you goes all the credit" |
 Cochet laughed merrily. But the | profits, eh, mon vieux? They are more important than the glory, and you will have your share of those.
 
 lady whom you have so justly termed vulgar may desire to see her jewels once again this evening. One never knows in what direction woman's whim may lead her:''
 "As always, my master, you are right" said the cripple. T will tele- phone for taXicab: we shall disap- pear In fortnight we shall land in Ia belle France"
 But so much may happen in a fortnight"
 l fiatter myself that it was a line worthy of the situation. Certainly Cochet and Lotier greeted it with that stark amazement which dramatic speech should arouse. l assure you that l have never enjoyed a moment as much as l have enjoyed this one now as, an automatic pistol in my hand, l followed my words into the room from behind inc couch. Cochet recovered his self-possession first. This is an unexpected honor mon { sieur" he said,
 ''i hSSNh' HE HloTe nOnOf, the ! more surprise 10 3 modest man." I 5rinned. "Messieurs will kindly ele- 1 rate their hands and keep them in { he air" f The hunchback flashed a lightning 1 glance Of question at the White Eagle. But Cochet knew that behind { ny levity lurked srimness. r Obey, Raoul,' he ordered. He 1 ooked at mo. Does monsieur care T o explain ?'' I I doubt if l could have carried my l elf any better than he, in such a i ituation. T The Anderson jewell box and it's ontonts, monsieur" I said. "tf mon ieur will kindly give that 10 mo, I q hall bid him bon soir and bonne hance.'' held out my left hand The White Eagle simulated amuse- S 1ent I cut short his laugh.
 I have overheard your conversa- on" I reminded him.
 Monsieur lacks a sense Of humor." e retorted blandly. He accepts idle 'sts as solemn truths"
 Fhe box. please" I insisted
 ''1f monsieur's sad lack of humor ersists. what can we do?" asked ochet.
 Nothing" l snapped. But I can Q something. can search you The cripple was ready to fight, but le White Eagle was a wary old cam