San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-30
By Everett Rhodes Castle
Illustrated by Hubert Matthew

was nearly s. He was there now
waiting. perhaps. Miss GlauS sent
Freda into the fitting room and
picked up the telephone. A connec-
ton established, she went straight to
the point.
"This is Miss Glaub speaking"
yes"
81 have your letter.
"Yes."
"Wel?'
The voice at the other end Of the
line chuckled. Hardly anything We
can discuss over the telephone, Miss
Glaub."
Can you come to my Officer"
The other end hesitated. "For
business of this nature" it suggested,
maybe a little more privacy would
be desirable. How about your home
tonight-say S o'clock?"
After all, it was perhaps better to
meet him there. The frowsy little
crook. Miss Glaub assented briefly.
Tonight, she repeated, at 81
He was a mean-looking specimen OF
manhood, even in the soft glow OK
the Glaub parlor. He was nervous
and OVERLOAD by turns. His collar was
dirty, as were the frayed cuffs which
hung below the sleeves OF his cheap
rain coat. Miss Glaub guessed his age
at 50, and his nose at four drinks OF
synthetic gin day. He wore a greasy
derby which had once been brown.
And he wore it into the Glaub par
lor with a sneaky smile of confidence.
GOOD evening. Miss Glaub."
Miss Glaub nodded. Suppose" she
said crisply, "we get down to business
right away. What do you want!"
The man laughed slyly. Maybe"
he suggested, 1--WE should begin by
telling you what we know. Our
client"
"Is thief interrupted Miss
Glaub. Maybe he is a liar tool
Mr.. S. L. Blake shook his head.
Not a chance" he said emphatically.
and then softly: "Because-we have
seen the pearls, too"
MAYBE" inquired the lady care
lessly, "you have them with your
"Maybe.
And maybe you might be persuade
ed to part with them?"
Mr.. Blake laughed gayly. maybe
we might" he assented softly, "h you
were interested-sufficiently."
Miss Glaub considered this. well"
she said finally, ~how much do you
want?"
Five hundred dollars
~Not a chance i"-coldly.
Mr.. Blake shook his head saoly.
"Too bad" he commented. ave
haven't anything else left but to turn
our information over to the police.
It'll certainly make rich reading. En-.
Miss Glaub? Famous pearls nothing
but cheap fakes! Won't help the | y
tie costume business any,"
"You-you-"
cor the standing with the Russifs
nobility
with a shrug. the proprietor Of
Adele, Inc, capitulated.
"Will a check do? she demandeS
DULY.
"Certainly. See that we are only
acting for you in little matter which
makes the five hundred q retainer
| fee"
Miss Glaub went to a little desk
and dropped the top. How do you
want it made out?
as. +. Blake with a smirk.
Miss Giaub blotted the piece OF pa
per and arose. Still possessed OF the
smirk, Mr.. Blake stepped forward.
Miss Glaub moved to meet him half
way. Just as the man was about to
take the check, Miss Glaub slipped on
the soft rug. With slight scream,
she fell forward into the arms OF the
astonished visitor. Just for second
the dark head rested close to his-juse
long enough to confirm that feeling
which had been hers from the moment
of reading the letter. The mingled
odor of cloves and nutmeg. -.
"Put your hands up in the air.
| With an astonished snarl, Mr.. S. =.
Blake faced a small caliber pistol held
in a steady hand. Noting the hand
and the eyes behind the gun, Mr..
Blake complied.
"What's the idea?" he demanded.
aMaking sure" said Miss Glauh
calmly.
"Sure Of what?r
"That Mr.. S. e. Blake and my
Cutie friend of the other night were
the same people"
"You're crazy i"-sullenly.
"Why don't you call me hster!'
Miss Glaub gibed.
After a moment: well, what II
am? What are you going to do about
it? Who'll believe you after the cock
an bull description you gave the po-
lice? Huh?"
Miss Glaub held out her hand. at
won't be necessary. Give me tss
pearls.
After a moment Mr.. Blake produced
them, from the side pocket Of his rain
coat.
what now?"
@The door. Your little client
game needs you in some other city In
hurry.
~In other words
ain other words-get.-
Just before the door closed, Miss
Glaub sent parting shot.
The next time you rob cradle.
she advised, "don't put a mask over
your face-get a gas mask"
Later, in a big blue quilted kimono,
Miss Glaub contemplated the string OF
cleaning pearls. Humming softly, she
picked IN a nut-cracker lying on the
table and went quietly to work. As
the clock struck 10, she swept the
remnants of her handiwork into the
wicker waste basket. Her eyes grew
soft and dreamy. Somehow i seemed
to bring the Grand Duke nearer.
At the Shop, next morning. Frede
handed her a telegram. Tearins
open, Miss Glaub read:
New York c..
Great work. Congratulations. En-
tire country now knows Adele, Inc.
We can't afford TO stay out. regard
Il i