The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-11-14
The Authors Own
Fascinating Story
of His Long But
Losing Battle
For Freedom
and Health

LII this passed through my
4 \ mind In a flash-and my mind
was not particularly clear. either.
! had that morning taken two
veronal tables and several drinks
Of corn liquor. The wonder was
that I was able to think at all.
You'd like to have word with
me?" l questioned in reply 10
what had been said. ..All right.
What is it?"
stopped and faced the two.
Both were quite young. I felt
treasured, despite my realization
that I was right on the verge OF
utter ruin. At my abrupt ques-
ton, What is it?" neither of my
Would-be inqnisitors replied.
Got to Talk With You
well, what is it?h / REPEATED.
don't know you, gentlemen, and
the sidewalk is a rather unusual
place for q business talk, If that's
what you want. Suppose you call
me up and make an appointment.
I'm stopping at the Rice Hotel.
and,
''Oh, you're at the Rice!'' ex-
claimed the one who had spoken
first. THE fact is we've got to
talk with you right away. Well
walk up there with you, if you
don't object.
SCOT to talk with me?" echoed.
'sWhat do you mean got to talk
with me?' / started to resume
my walk. They accompanied me.
'See herer, I exclaimed indig-
nant1y. who are you fellows,
anyway? For all know you may
be couple OF crooks If you
want to do business with me, call
me up. don't know you. Good
by
I turned sharply and started
across the street. They came right
with me. As we reached the OPP
posite curb stopped and faced
them again.
What does this mean?" l de-
manded angriIy. do you want
me to call a policeman?
'sYes-if you dare. said the
second man sarcastically.
There was q little more spar
ring and then / declared myself,
pretending to be highly indignant.
One Of them had stated he was
from the bank I had just left, and
that they were instructed not 70
lose sight of me.
Damage Suit Against Bank
do you mean to tell me this
d an arrest?n I cried. II 1t is.
believe me, your bank will find
itself facing the biggest damage
suft IT'S ever had. ] don't know
What the trouble may be. but
vorIsft naa king an awful blunder
nnonreyi1e With me- Why I'm
abIa 70 buy and sell the whole
otIffft. You boz better go back
and ten them to be little more
careful"
At any mention of the words
damage suit, I saw doubt and
come into their eyes, and
they glanced at each other I'M
certainly. I have never been
much of an actor, but l certainly
must have acted my part Wen
that morning. despite my satu-
rated condition.
Let's be friendly about this,
said the spokesman for the two.
''I believe there's some mistake.
1t can be all Strengthened out IN
q few minutes at the hotel. We're
almost there now. The fact is
we're trying hard TO locate a GER
tain party and you resemble MIN
very much. You viii be helping
US considerably IL you'll just es-
tablish your standing. We GER
tainIy don't want to annoy you.
1 had named the Rice Hotel,
the best hotel in Houston-but
wasn't stopping there. One OF
the men seemed more determined
than the other, and I felt that
he would prove troublesome
should 1 attempt anything too
drastic.
sIt's rather embarrassing, I
laughed. pretending to be pla-
Gated. Evidently the party you're
looking for is a crook. and it
isn't very flattering to be taken
for him. But come on, I'll con-
vince you in two seconds that
I'm not your man."
As a matter of fact / felt like
a hound-cornered hare seeking a
hole for escape. but / had not let
even a tremor creep into my
voice. 1 felt I had both men
doubtful, but that the least slip
turn the O14r1AtC0 against
me. OF course could have
bolted. but that would have been
a mistake. Or / might have
hailed a passing taxi and told my
would-be captors had an en-
gagement and would see them
later. II did that. however, the
question was. would they let me
90 without trouble-trouble which
might attract a policeman.
Plan Of Action
So 1 just kept on walking to-
ward the Rice. trying to walk nat
urally as we went along. What l
was going to do when we got
there l don5t know. AS we en-
tered the spacious lobby / decided
on my course of action. / would
ask them to be seated while
went up on the elevator TO my
room for my credentials
Should that fail-should they in