The Bismarck tribune., 1924-08-14

timentalities that April had brought
to me left me for good.
Beyond Anderson's salutation to
the couple who awaited him, l could
hear no more of their speech Only
the multimillionaire's snobbish de-
light at knowing gentleman of title
had enabled me to hear his greeting.
Anderson had deliberately spoken
loudly in order that the patrons of
the restaurant might know that aris-
tocracy was here. Now, content that
attention had been attracted, Ander-
son did not raise his voice. But steal
ing an occasional glance at him
through the medium of mirror on
the wall. l could see that the man
was overcome with snobblish gratifi-
cation.
But one does not need to hear
| it one is John Ainsley--in order to
know what is being said. could
follow the course of their conversa-
tion easily. First there were the
pleasant inquiries concerning each
| others health. Then there was a re-
miniscent anecdote by the White
Eagle. The pale-faced hunchback
capped his leaders story. Anderson
delivered himself of heavy jest
.. Encouraged, he began to brag. The
White Eagle led him on, ably assist
ed by the cripple.
| could tell that the two criminals
the hunchback must necessarily be
criminal, inasmuch as he was the
White Eagles companion-werc
grossly flattering their guest. And
Anderson was tapping it up like Il
greedy pup.
Now, Armand Cochet did nothing,
judged, without purpose. The
man was gentleman, fallen, it is
! true, from his high estate, but man
of fine intuitons and delicate in
stincts. Such one could take no
pleasure in the society of Anderson.
This was business upon which the
White Eagle was engaged; nothing
less would have made him tolerate
, the society of the profitcer
But what was his business? I
meant when I put the question to
myself, the exact nature of the
scheme which the Whisc Eagle must
be planning. Robbery, of course;
but what, when and how?
II fingered over my coffee until the
others paid their check and passed
I BY my table. l stole another glance
at the hunchback. He was Il fit COM
panion for his master, for despite
his slight and deformed physique,
there was upon his face ruthless
ness equal to that of the White
Eagle. His delicate features and pale
skin would have made the unobser-
want class him as poetic-mnded
youth. Most of us, when deIicacy is
coupled with dcformity, ascribc spir-
ituality to the partnership. But l,
who must know criminals, understood
that the clean-cut mouth was vicious,
and that the brown eyes flashed hate
more often than mirth.
Leisurcly | followed them. I saw
them step into Anderson's town car
and start uptown. l followed in
taxi. l was not foolish enough to
tell my driver to follow the car
ahead, but | told him to go slowly,
that l wished to enjoy the spring
corner, suggested to my driver that
he do the same thing. So without
arOusing the chauffcur's curious sus-
piciOn, l saw the tOwn-car stop be-
fore a modest private residence on a
side-street in the upper East Side,
and noted the number Of the house
into which the White Eagle and his
companion entered. AS for Ander-
son, his address was easy to find. A
telephone book--or if his telephone
was not listed, there were hundred
other ways to find where he lived.
did not wish to follow him farther.
I dismissed my taxi at Madison
Avenue, and entered a grocery store.
It was an expensive looking shop,
the sort that would have fashion
able patronage. I asked for the pro-
prietor, told him that wanted five
minutes of his time, and went direct
ly to the point.
"Tm in the automobile accessory
business" | said. 81 have an auto
matte windshield-cleaner that man
ufacture. It's an article that's hard
to, find. People won't be convinced
by a, demonstration. They think it
won't wear. SO I have to let them
use it for couple of weeks. Now,
social position and bank references
mean. nothing to me. I've found out
that the richer people are, the less
inclined they are to pay. little bills
in hurry. I've only small capi
tai and need cash. The people in
this neighborhood trade with you.
You know the ones that pay by the
fifth of the month"
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