Evening star., 1924-03-02

I Kid didn't jump-he just lifted him
self OFF the rail and floated far out
| in a swan dive. The little side-roll
| he gave himself took him under
| without a splash.
Up bobbed the Kids head. In long.
, strong strokes he cut through the
swells toward Morris. They splashed
around terrifcally for q minute be-
fore starting toward shore.
But when the rowboat pulled out
the Kid helped Morris in and then
started swimming alongside 1t. Only
1t wasn't swimming. It was all the
water stunts and clowning I'd ever
seen and a lot more.
I was telling some Of the boys
about 1t early that night at T-Bone's
the Kid volunteering to take my
camera out and turn in my Aim for
me. when Big Bill Wysell dropped m.
"A water-dog, eh?" Bill quietly
left the place. tThen remembered
about the X guy jumping into the
river In San Antoine.
"WHERE's the Kid7' Jane asked
when she came on duty.
He should have been here twenty
my expression made her ask, sharp.
rs the Kid in trouble?"
HE wasn't the last time I saw
him. He" 1t was no use. told
her about Big Bill and everything as
soothingly as I could.
Eight o'clock-half-pas o'clock.
Still no sign of the Kid. I rang up
the studio. The Kid had come in
about and left fifteen or twenty
minutes later. BY IL there wasn't
any color in James faos.
Don't be silly. Jane" told her.
"Everything's all right
rs it?" she asked. you know my
little sister-worked at the switch
board at the c. Hotel?" nodded
They let her out this afternoon,
without giving her any reason at
ALL"
"Well?"
big Bills cousin is the house de-
i tective there"
"A few minutes before 12, Jane
whispered. listen Pete. will you ring
up headquarters and-''
She stopped dead, her eyes glued on
the door. Lurching through 1t. STUN
bling and feeling around like a blind
man. came the Kid.
kid" Jane had him in her arms
before any OF us moved. what hap
pened you?'
"They gave me the works-at head
quarters" mumbled the Kid. jamie.
dear. would you get a cold towel for
my eyes? I've been looking into a
| hundred watt lamp for three hours"
For what?" Jane asked, as q
couple of the boys leaped for the
| towel pile.
They said the writing on the check
signed looks like the K guys
writing"
| "Who said so?"
big BILL"
| Sadie" she called to the older
| waitress. you take my place behind
the counter. Louis"-to Spinola-"get
your taxi. Pete. you'n stay here with
Sadie till closing time. won't you?
I'm going to take the Kid home with
me to my mother"
The next morning I was thinking
about Jane and the Kid when I en-
tered the studio. The girl at the
switchboard stopped me.
Some woman phoned a few min
utes ago for you. She left word that
| the Kid wouldn't be out to the studio
today" she said.
In the ONCE with the boss was the
prince.
Good morning, Pete" the. boss
nodded. THE prince stammered, en-
barrassed. II couldn't avoid hearing
the message that came for you. Rot
ten luck; what? Extremely likable
little fellow. hope it's nothing seri-
GUS"
"Oh. don't imagine So" said.
1.-THE exposure-hfs long immersion
in the water-and he but recently re-
covered from flu"-he broke of. II
feel a keen sense Of responsibility;
he was substituting for me, do you
see? Do you think he might accept
from me at least his doctor and nurse
fees?" He drew q wallet from his
pocket.
Sure" / said.
The prince extracted from the. wal
let a few small folded papers and
some large bills. Laying the papers
on the desk he counted out two hun
dred and fifty dollars and held 1t to-
ward me.
You're too generous I said look
ing pointedly at the two ten-dollar
his cash.
He shrugged his shoulders. That's
quite all right. My secretary-silly
beggar-settled and closed all my ac-
counts before cashing the usual
check from Lord Monocton. He's try
ing to arrange that now, over the