davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1925-01-04

feet, thinned to a mere obloug tower
in its last fragile aspiration toward
the sky. At the highest Of it's high
windows Rags Martin-Jones stood full
in the stiff breeze, gazing down at the
city.
Mr.. Chestnut wants to know II
you'll come right in to his private
office" 1t was a respectful voice i
her elbow.
John Chestnut sat at his desk wait
ing, and Rags walked to him and put
her arms around his shoulder. Are
you sure you're real?" she asked an
xiously. Are YOU absolutely sure?"
You only wrote me week before
you came" he protested modestly, "or
could have arranged a revolution
Was the whole thing just mine
she demanded Was it a perfectly
useless, gorgeous thing, just for me-
'Useless?" He considered. Well, Il
started out TO be. At the last minute
invited big restaurant man to be
there. and while you were at the
other table 1 sold him the whole idea
of the cabaret" lie looked at his
watch.
We've got just time to be married
before lunch"
John" she asked him intenty.
"Who was the Prince Of WaIes2" He
waited till they were in the elevator,
dropping twenty floors AZ a Svoop.
Then he leaned forward and tapped
the lift boy on the shoulder.
Not 50 fast, Cedric. This lady isn't
used to falls from high places The
elevator boy turned around, smiled,
His face was pale, oval, framed In
yellow hair. Rags blushed.
'Ced-ic's from Wessex." explained
John. The resemblance is, to say the
least. amazing"
Rags took the monocle from heY
neck and threw the ribbon over
Cedrics head.
Thank YOU" she said, for the
second greatest thrill of ms life
Then John Chestnut began rubbing
his hands together in a commerciai
gesture 'PatroniSc this place, lady"
he besousht her. Best bazaar in the
city"
what have you 60, for sale?'
'W ell, M'selle. today we have some
perfectly hee-oo -tiful love"
Wrap it UP, Mr.. Merchant" cried
Rags Martin-Joncs, 1T looks like 2
bargain TO me-"
fCo7yrisht 1927
Evening star., 1925-01-04

fume Of gray smoke began to fill the
air AS a strange undertone TO the
shouting and screaming came the in
cessant clamor OF the distant band.
Then in moment il was all over. A
whistle rang out over the roof and
through the smoke Rags saw John
Chestnut advancing toward the plain
clothes man, his hands held out in
gesture of surrender
Its all overt John Chestnut's voice
rang out wildly. THE party's over.
Everybody who wants to can go
home" Rags knew the strain of
guilt had driven John Chestnut
insane.
1T was a great performance" he
was shouting. Il want to thank you
one and all. If you can find any
tables still standing champagne will
be served as long as you care to stay"
1t seemed 10 Rags that the roof and
the high stars suddenly began to
swim round and round. She saw John
take the detectives hand and shake it
heartily and she watched the detective
grin and pocket his gun. The music
had recommended and the girl who
had tainted was suddenly dancing
with Lord Charles Este in the corner.
John was running here and there pat
ting people on the back, and laughing
and shaking hands. Then he was
coming toward her, fresh and inno-
cent as a child.
Wasn't it wonderful?" he cried.
Rags croped backward with her hand
toward a chair.
What was it?" she cried dazedly.
Am ! dres ming?"
"0f course not. You're wide awake.
! I made il UP, Rags, don't you seq
made I'D the whole thing for you
had 1t invented. The only thing real
about il was my name" She col
lapsed suddenly against his coat.
cluns TO his lapels and would have
wilted to the floor il he had not
caught her quickly in his arms
Some champa gne, hurry" he called.
and then he shouted at the Prince Of
Wales, who stood nearby. Order my
car. Miss Rags Martin Jones has
tainted from excitement"
* :; ::
THE shyscraper rose bulkIIy
through thirty tiers of windows
before il attenuated itself TO grace
full sugarloaC OF shining white Then
il darted I'M again another hundred
Evening star., 1925-01-04

II want a man who's capable OF a
gallant gesture"
DO you mean you want me to eN-
press myself entirely in pantominIe? ~
Rags uttered a disgusted sigh.
Il mean you haven't any imagina-
ton" she explained patiently. NO
Americans have any imagination.
she explained patiently. mo Ameri-
cans have any imagination. Paris is
the only city where Il civilized per
son can exist. Paris is the capital of
the world"
Don't you care for me at all any
more"
II wouldn't have crossed the At
lantic to see YOU If I didn't. But as
soon as I looked over the Americans
on the boat l knew l couldn't marry
you. I'd just hate you, John. and
the only fun I'd have out OF ii would
be the fun Of breaking your heart"
She began to twist herself down
among the cushions.
i've Il st my monocle," she eX-
claimed. After an unsuccessful
search in the silken depths she dis
covered the Elusive glass hanging
down the back of her neck.
I'D love to be in love" she went
or. Last spring in Rome l almost
eloped with an Indian Rajah. but he
took an intense dislike to one of his
other wives"
Don't talk that rubbish cried
John
Well. I didn't marry him." she
protested. But in cne way he had
a lot to offer. lie "; the third rich
est subject Of the British Empire.
That's another thing-are you rich?'
Not as rich as you
VI,
offer me-"
Love"
Love-" She disappeared among the
cushions. Listen. John. Life to me
is a series of glistening bazaars with
d merchant in front of each one rubbing
his hands together and saying 'Patronize
this place here. Best bazaar in the
world So l go in with my purse full
OF beauty and money and youth. all pre-
pared to buy. What have YOU got for
sale l ask him, and he rubs his hands
together and says: Well, MademoiselIe,
today We have some perfectly be-oo tiful
love- Sometimes he hasn't got that in
stock but he sends out for ii when he
finds I have so much money to spend.
Oh, he always gives that to me before
go, and for nothing. That's the one
revenge I have" John Chestnut took a
step toward the window.
Don't throw yourself out" Rags ex-
claimed quickly.
"I won't" He tossed his cigarette
down into Madison avenue.
:. :: :; ::
GIT isn't just you" she said in a
l. softer voice. Dull and uninspired
as you are, l care for you more than
can say. But life's 50 stupid here.
Nothing ever happens"
Loads of things happen" he insisted.
why. today there was a bank robbed
in Brooklyn and a triple suicide in
Maine. two dozen oil swindles in New
York City
Yes she said ironically, land little
Jimmy Groody's cat fell out OF the
window and broke its spine. FaSci-
Mating. Why. John. last month I sat q
Evening star., 1925-01-04

Such were the resources o. the
male hotel rats who were scattered
or rounded up with the Countess
Manola and the Baron 'Fra1din, at
Nice. in January. 1914.
Today, the brutal males are half
scared out OF the business. The kine
OF the hotel rats (so-called zigomsr).
operating recently in Paris. seems not
to have done a single night Job in
the 1G fashionable hotels of the
American Quarter, where he made
| such rich hauls.
But zigomar is bad, and always
liable to come back" with his old
style violence and impatience
The male rat laughs at bolts. He
gets room next to his victims.
| These hotels are built with commu-
nicating doors, that any number of
rooms may be thrown into suites.
The doors are, of course. kept locked,
and bolted on both sides.
The rat first giInlets tiny peephoIes.
IF decided to go on with the job from
what he sees, he unlocks the COM
municating door when the victim is
out; jimmies its bolt on the victims
side; enters: removes the screws OF
, the staple, replaces short. dummy
ew-heads, putties. paints and
makes the now-worthless bolt ap-
pear as good as before.
and silent. The rat turns the key in
the oiled lock, and simply pushes
open the communicating door-whose
bolt. on the victims side, carries the
dummy staple with it!
:: :: = !
IN the old days. if an adjoining room
l. could not be secured, the hall lock
was picked in the daytime, and its
bolt fixed" in the same way. The
rat was warned of the victims ap-
proach by a confederate, outside, who
played a certain air on an accordion.
In Paris. the accordion has played
again, these days. But Zigomar has
striven, still, to obtain the adjoin-
ing room, with its peepholes-to
watch woman victims hide their jew
elry and cash under pile OF lingerie
in a bureau drawer.
Then, zigomar has sneaked in, by
daytime. through the fixed" com
hauls. when the making is good
Otherwise, 1t Is night work, with
blackjack and chloroforn1- mask.
You lock your door and shoot the
bolt. Yet. as you sleep, the door
swings open, as the screw-heads quit
their holes. In slips the stalwart,
sandbag and stilleto at his belt
Would you not rather be robbed BY
a lady?
Evidently-becuse you invite her.
How? Why, by neglecting to shoot
the bolt. Bolt your room door, and
the mouse will pass you by. The
mouse is after sure thing, as sure as
things may be; and it is tho first prin
ciple of the old countess that bolt
ed door already means suspicion!
Let it alone." the gouine tells her
girls earnestly. IF you can't open
the door quiet and easy with the curl,
ing irons, pass on--and try No. on
my list. The bolted door means that
the party has been thinkinG!"
So, simply follow the directions or
the hotels notice, in your bedroom:
Notice. Security ty-Eclt your door
at night"
Evening star., 1925-01-04

pered, standing just behind his chair
He half rose. motioned her to sit
down.
Have you room in your car for
two more passengers tonight" One
of the aides turned around.
His lordships car is full he said
shortly.
IT'S terribly urgent" Her voice
was trembling.
Well" said the prince hesitatin gly.
IT don't know" Lord Charles Este
looked at him and shook his head.
II don't think it'd do, sir. This is
q risky matter anyhow. with contrary
orders from home. You know we
agreed there'd be no complications"
The prince frowned.
This isn't a complication" he OBJ
jected. Este turned frankly to Rags.
why is IL urgent" Rags hesitated.
why" She flushed suddenly.
It's runaway marriage" The
prince laughed.
"Right-o!" he exclaimed That
settles it. Este here is just being
official. Bring over the lucky. man
right away. We're leaving shortly,
WHAT"
Right now" Rags rushed away.
Hurry" she cried in Johns car.
We're going over the border with
the Prince of Wales. You'u be safe
by morning"
:: = x x
CHE piloted him TO the other table,
~ where she introduced him with
p word.
Wed better start" said Este, look
ing impatiently at his watch. They
were on their feet when suddenly an
exclamation broke from all Of them
at once; two policemen and a red
haired man in plain clothes had come
in at the main door.
"Out We CO." breathed Este i'm
relling the party toward the side
entrance. There's going to be some
kind Of riot here" Hc gasped. Two
more bluecoats barred the exit there.
They paused uncertainty. The plain
clothes maa was beginning an in
spection of the people at the tables.
Este looked sharply at Rags and then
at John who shrank back behind the
palms.
is that a prohibition fella out
there"
No" whispered Rags, there's go
Evening star., 1925-01-04

ing TO be trouble. Cant we set out
this entrance" The prince sat down
again.
LIE: me know when you chaps are
ready 20 60"
Then suddenly the lights went UP.
The plain clothes man whirled around
quickly and sprang TO the middle of
the cabaret floor.
Nobody try to leave this room."
he shouted. "Sit down. that party
behind the palms. Is John NJ. Chest
nut in this room?' Rags gave a
short Involuntary cry.
Here cried the detective TO the
policeman behind him. Take a look
at that bunch over there. Hands up,
you men!"
MY word" whispered Este.
We've got to get OUT" He turned
10 the prince. This won't do, Ted
You can't be seen here. I'll try and
stall them off while you get TO the
car" He took a step toward the side
entrance.
Hands up, there" cried the plain
clothes man" And when I say
hands UP mean it! Which one Of
yous Chestnut"
You're mad"' shouted Este.
Were British subjects We're not
involved in this affair in any way
4 movement toward the elevator
which stopped short before the
muzzles of two automatic pistols. A
girl next to Rags collapsed in a
faint and at the same moment the
music on the other roof began to
play
stop that music" beloved the
plainclothes man. And get some
handouts on that whole bunch
quick" TWO policemen advanced
toward the party and simultaneously
Este and the other aides drew their
revolvers and, shielding the prince as
best they could, began to edge toward
the side. 4 shot rang out and then
another, followed by crash of silver
and china as half A dozen diners over
turned their tables and dropped
quickly behind.
Z; = :. :;
THE panic became general There
were three shots in quick sue
ceSsion and then a fusillade, Rags
saw Este firing at the eight amber
lights which lir rhe roof icI;
Evening star., 1925-01-04
''Hotel Mice' Make Rich Hauls
Under Command of "COuntess''

The mice are in the hallway. ThaE
know the plan Of the hotel They
have five rooms programmed to try.
They are before the victims door
Most travellers magine il a safe
guard against picklocks to leave the
key sticking in. AS fact, it per-
nts- magnificent use Of the curling
irons Feeling her way de1icately,
the mouse catches the key-barrel in q
grip Of steel-and TRANQUILITY, silently.
gently, unlocks the door,
The mouse is in the bedroom. Is
there dim night light? She fits.
shadows. She listens with strained
attention 10 the sleeper's breathing.
;; X :; ::
A IL is well. The mouse works"
~ slipping valuablcs into elastic
pockets. 1t is wonderful beyond
belief how such girl specialists.
trained by the countess. know just
where to seek, and move invisible, in
silence, utter siience-a true mouse.
we'll named. now here. now there,
swift as the little black streak whica
the mouse is on the dark floor,
She will fan" the bed you're sleep
ing in, and lift out jewel box and
bill folder from beneath the pillow or
bed covering beside you--as was
done for Nine. Doucet's pearls and
diamonds.
Nine. Doucet, honestly, did not
wake.
The happy woman.
You, traveller, If you wake, dom.
bulge, but feign sleep--this for your
life! The mouse is a timid. timid
little thing. She has only the gas
pistol!
The mouse is wildly frightened at
the possibility of starting up some
noisy struggle, even with a scream
Ing woman victim-how much more
husky male!
The mouse was scared of Nine.
Doucet's movements. even sleeping
for she hid beneath the table, and
was so upset that she fed with the
jewel box) and left the gas-pistol
lying! Otherwise, the police might
not know OF its existence to this day,
The mouse is a tender-hearted girl
she probably believes that the gas
pistol does not kill, except when some
overmastering idiosyncrasy con-
tributes-thats not her fault, There
is not a case of death in a hotel
the mother murderer tells them; and
they want to believe it.
AS fact, nine victims out of ten
recover rapidly. and others are pulled
through, somehow. Four cases of
1atal collapse are indisputably at
tributed to the weapon. Little has
been said about them-they have
been hushed up, "in the interest OF
superior considerations" So, the
mice can shut their eyes to this side
of their labors.
x :; = :;
YOC see, the girls don't use their
gun in one case out of twenty.
Such is their extreme address that it
is said (but who can know if it be
trueo that two star pupils of the
countess have never shot off the gas
pistol-never needed to pull it never
walked a. sleeper just got off with the
goods in every case, and left no
trace.
Is ii not better thcn st.lctto or
blackjack?
Evening star., 1925-01-04
BIZ STERLING HELLO.

PARIS, DecembeT a.
T HOSE who recognize he- bolt
their bedroom doors. Then
they examine the bolts. 1t
l. needless; tamperlnE with
bolts is rats B" work; and the
Countess Manola has abjurcd all male
cooperation.
MEN are poor ornaturcs." she said
on quitting ClairVauX Prison. Men
are clumsy, noisy. violent, impulsive,
impatient and without self-controL
If YOU want trouble. my girls, take
a man into tho combina ton.
American tourists. nevertheless, be-
ware,--death stalks, invisible, be-
side her, along with mystery and
suspicion. loss OF jewels, travellers
checks. banknotes and letters of
credit.
Count yourselves happy who awake
with loss.
The gouine is out and loose again
upon the world. robbing hotel bed
rooms in the dark night while the
guest sleeps. The jirmouichs desire
to join her; but the shadowy old
glider in the Railways" VIII not trust
them-who betrayed her into prison
eight years ago.
She works alone, with her choir
OF wicked virgins. silent swift and
unseen as mice, and timid as mice
but deadly when discovered by q
waking victim!
The gas pistol in their one pro-
tector.
The first seen by the police was
found on the floor of Nine. Doucets
sleeping room. beneath a table. the
morning after million francs
worth of pearls and diamonds had
disappeared from the jewel case that
she had in bed beside her, under the
covers! Nothing else disappeared
The doors remained locked. Nothing
was disturbed or changed-only the
queer three barreled pistol under
meath the table.
1t bore German inscription.
"scheinte Pistole." according TO the
reading of the Nice police: and it is
supposed to be a by-product of Ger
man science at the tail end of the
late war
A confidential circular to hotel men
tells that 1t is noiseless. and consists
of three barrels firing three separate
gases. These gases, mixing, regularly
send the victim into counterfeit
death" for half an hour or more
but may cause real death, as may be.
THE first hotel victims of the gas
pistol. at Nice, in the Winter of
1922. were the Ayulois family, mil
lionaire Peruvians connected with
the Peruvian legation at London.
Husband, wife and child were
drugged without fatal results. Served
by their Japanese valet, they went
to bed early, and the valet locked the
door of the suite behind him. Nearly
800 900 in cash (the couple had been
winning at baccarat) was in a secret
drawer--hotel device against sneaks.
The suite had just been occupied by
the Duke OF Copnaught. In the
morning the family awoke drugged.
sick, and the 100000 gone.
The family's constitutions resisted
the gas pistol. IT was designed. in
German war plans, to produce cer-
tain and immediate lunconsciousnsss,
Evening star., 1925-01-04

THE Gigantic came gliding into
~ew York ha.bor. She shifted
at the tugboatS and turtle
4 gated ferries, winked at a
saudy young yacht and or
dered a cattleboat out of her way
with a snarling whistle Of steam. She
parked at her dock with all the fuss
~ . stout lady sitting down, and an
rTrunced that she had just come from
Cherbourg and Southampton with
cargo of the very best people.
The very best people stood on deck
and waved to their relations who
were waiting for gloves from Paris.
\ great toboggan now connected the
Gigantic with the North American
continent and the ship began TO dis
gorge these very best people-who
Irned out to be movie queens, mis-
sIonaries, retired jewellers, British
authors, musical comedy twins. the
Duchess Mazzini (nee GoldberG) and,
needless 10 add, Lord and Lady Thing
umbob of Thingumbob Manor.
Photogra pliers worked wildly &s
the passengers flowed onto the dock.
There was a burst of cheering at the
appearance of stretchers laden with
Two Middle Westerners who had
drunk themselves delirious on the last
night out.
The deck enlptied, but the photos-
rapherS remained. The officers i'll
charge of debarkation glanced at the
deck as If some important part of the
rargo was still on board. At last
final encourage began to stream
down from deck F.
First came two French maids. one
carrying pair Of minute dogs and
the other bearing an enormous green
parrot. After these marched porters,
blind and invisible under ianUmer-
able punches and bouquets OF fresh
flowers. Another maid followed
leading d sad-eyed orphan child OF
French flavor. Close upon its heels
walked the second officer pulling
along three neurasthenlc wolfhounds.
Then the captain, Sir Howard
Deems Macdougall, appeared at the
rail, with something that might have
been pile Of gorgeous silver fox
fur by his side
Evening star., 1925-01-04
RAGS MARTINJONES
SCOTT FITZGERALD


We'll" he said. i'll a matter-of- fact
tone. "for one thing you'll see the Prince
of Wales"
WHAT" She left the chaise Tongue
at a bound Us he in New York;"
"He will be tomorrow night. Would
you care to see him.?
would I? I'd give year OF my Ike
to see him for an hour.
Wasn't it Just my luck to miss him
in England. And then when reached
New York. he had lett for Canada"
Her voice trembled with excitement.
Hes down here incognito for the
big prize fight this afternoon. ana L
happen to know where he's gong 10
be tonight"
Rags gave a sharp ecstatic cry:
"Felice. Louise. Nanine. The
three maids came running.
"Felice, the car" cried iIags
Louise, my gold dress and the SIP
pers with the real gold heels! The
big pearls too, all the pearls, and tho
egg diamond and the stockings WIKI
the sapphire clocks! Nantne, send Tor
the hairdresser on the run. Aly oatA
again, ice cold. Fclice, Tiffanys IKE
lightning. before they close! tihd me
a bracelet a brooch, a pendant, any
thing, it doesn't matter. with the
arms Of the House Of Windsor! She
was funlbling at the buttons OF nei
dress, and as John returned II was
already sliding from her shoulders.
The maids few here and there
about the room like frightened birds
perfume, Louise, bring out all my
perfume and my white sable and my
diamond garters and the sweet OIL Tor
my hands. Here, take these Things:
This too, and this, ouch! and this:
John Chestnut closed the door. The
six trustees were still clutterinS up
the hall.
Gentlemen" announced John
Chestnut, Il fear that Miss Martin
Jones is much too weary from her
trip to talk to you this afternoon.
HrTHIS place, for no particular rea-
son. is called the Hole in the
Sky" Rags looked around her. They
were on roof garden wide open TO
the April night. The stars winked
cold and the moon was silver of ice.
But where they stood it was warm as
June.
What makes it so warm?" she
whispered as they moved toward a
ia BILE.
IT'S some new trick that keeps the
warm air from rising. It's open like
this even in the middle of winter. Do
you see that man? That's the heavy
weight champion of the world. He
knocked out the challenger at .
o'clock this afternoon
Where's the Prince Of wales" she
demanded.
"He hasn't arrived yet. He won't
be here for about half an hour"
She sighed profoundly. It's the
first time I've been excited in four
years"
Rags became aware OF the sound OF
violins and drums but the music
seemed to come from far away.
The orchestra's on another roof"
exclaimed John. IT'S a new idea.
Look, the entertainments beginning.
Every performer here has made an
immense hit in some revue. This
Evening star., 1925-01-04

THE five dogs the three maids. the
parrot and the French orphan
we're installed in the largest suite a |
.hc Ritz and Rags Jumb!cd la2ily into
7 stcammg bath. where sire dozed fo~
The create pars Of an hour. When
John NJ Chestnut arrived he found
Half a dozen lawyers and bankers.
he administrators Vf the Martin
Jones trust fund. waiting in the hall.
Fney had been there since half past
nc and We're now in q state Of agi-
a.stiou. John was conducted into the
>. sscuce of Mselle. Arse.le was in
'Ior bedroom reclining Oh tile chaisc
uungc among two dozen silk pillows.
You look better she said, raising
2erself from her pillows and staring
at him appraisingly. 1T gave you 4
'olor" He thanked her coldly for
the compliment.
You ought to go in every morn
Eg." And then she added irrele-
vantly, I'm going back to Paris to-
morrow" John Chestnut gasped.
I wrote you that ] didn't intend TO
stay more than week anyhow" she
added.
But Flags
why should 7? There isn't an iu-
teresting man in New York"
But listen, Rags, won't you give
ne a chance? Won't you stay fo", say,
-en days and get to know me
.ittle?"
Know YOU" Her tone implied
that he was already a far too open
book
Well what do you want me 10
oe?' he demanded resentfully. "A
ross between an English actor apG
IN amusement park?