Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1924-07-24

Wiz ~ |
sMy DEAR DUKEF CRIED
ANDERSON.
ceases to be an artist. had wished
70 rob Anderson, a gross, stupid
without wit to cope with ne
~ il'''I' decided to assaif ms security.
= Had | snatched Anderson,s box y
would have been an act OF eomiiio"
robbery. oonsiaor-
cd doing that very thing. Why! re-
cause my wits were growing rus.s.
from disuse. Here was a chance 10
sharpen them. And even as | sala
this 10 myself, I realized that l hao
snolen the truth, For into Vhe'
restaurant came Marcus Andersen,
and he joined the White Eagle ana
his hunchback companion.
"My dear Duke" cried Ahdef-
son. 49,
White Eagle, was a duke! The SEN
timentalities that April had brought
to me left me for good.
Beyond Anderson's salutatlon 70
the couple who awaited him, ! could
hear no more Of their speech. Only
tbe multimillionaire's snobbish de-
light at knowing a gentleman OF
title had enabled me to hear ms
greeting.
Anderson had deliberately spok-
en- loudly in order that the patrons
Of the restaurant might know that
aristocracy was here. Now, con-
tent that attention had been at
tracted, Anderson did not raise his
voice. But stealing an occasional
glance at him through the medium
of a mirror on the wall, 1 could see
that the man was overcome with
snobbish qualification.
But one does not need to hear
if one is John Ainsley-in order
to know what is being said. l could
follow the course of their conversa-
ton easily. First there were the
pleasant inquiries concerning a
each others health. Then there
was a reminiscent anecdote by the
White Eagle. The pale-faced bunch
back capped his leaders story. An
derson delivered himself Of a heavy
jest. Encouraged, he began to
brag. The White Eagle led him on,
ably assisted by the cripple.
could tell that the two criminals
the hunchback must necessarily
be criminal, inasmuch as he was
the White Eagles companion
were grossly flattering their guest.
And Anderson was tapping it up
like a greedy pup.
Now, Armand Cochet did moth
ing, l judged, without purpose,
The man was gentleman, fallen.
it is true, from his high estate, but
n man of fine intuitions and deli
cate instincts. Such a one could
take no pleasure in the society of
Anderson. This was business upon
which the White Eagle was engage
ed; nothing less would have made
him tolerate the society of the prof
iteer.
But what was his business? II
meant, when | put the question TO
myself, the exact nature of the
scheme which the White Eagle must
be planning. Robbery, of course;
but what, when and how?
fingered over my coffee until
the others paid their check and
passed by my table. / stole another
glance at the hunchback. He was
a lit companion for his master, for
despite his slight and deformed
physique, there was upon his face
a ruthlessness equal to that Of The
White Eagle. His delicate features
and pale skin would have made tine
unobseryant class him as a poetic
minded youth. Most of US, when
dellcacy is coupled with deformjtv.
aserbe spirituality to the partner
snip. But I, who must know crimi-
nals' understood that the elean-clt
mouth was vicious, and that .heI
brown eyes flashed hate more often
than mirth.
Leisurely followed them. saw