Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-24
Curiosity.

TIME messenger slapped a vel.
low envelope and a slip OF
of paper on the counter be-
Il. fore him. Macy, the hotel
clerk, merely nodded. He
signed the paper and sent the boy
on his way. Then in a small private
room and behind a closed door he
followed a routine which was rapidly
becoming a part of his life.
The stickpin which had previously
adorned his tie was now used as a
tool of curiosity Skillfully he in
serted it beneath the pasted flap of
the envelope and worked it back and,
forth until the gluey substance sur
rendered and the envelope opened and
resembled its original appearance.
With a nervous hand he removed
the message and studied 1t. 1t read:
Richard J. Bittner, Liberty Ho-
tel, New York City: BY all means
purchase notebook offered at auction
sale today. 1t represents the last two
years research work of DIR. Sabes-
tino. Buy at any price. Possession in
dispensable.
"DR. JOSEPH HOCHREIN."
Macy smiled as his sense OF guilt
vanished and the trembling of his
hand ceased. His mind dashed into
immediate activity. Occasionally in
formation In, other peoples kilograms
provided means of gaining a few
extra dollars, but this sudden find
was indeed precious. As far as he
was able to interpret DIR. Hochrein
was willing to pay a dear price for
the notes of the late and famous bone
specialist, who, by some i'll fortune,
had died in such q state of near pow
erty that his belongings We're to be
auctioned in order that his debts
might be paid.
Macy needed no planning to COM
plete his scheme. He would bid high
est for the book and then force Bitt-
ner to buy from him at an increased
price. One hundred dollars profit
would well repay him for his trouble
and time, he thought.
He folded the message and placed
it in the envelope, sealing it in such
81 manner that his tampering could
not be detected. Then calling bell
boy he sent it to Bittner's room.
The sale, which was advertised in
the papers, was scheduled to start at
3 o'clock promptly. Macy was in
luck; he would have time to go to
the bank before closing hours and
withdraw the money needed for the
purchase of the book. This would
make his biggest haul to date The
lats time he mt one over on the pro-
fessional man there was practically
no velvet" in the deal, but now he
had an opportunity of making his
work profitable. When he got posses
sion of the book he would demand his
own price and fleece this wise Bittner,
who continually fiattered himself be-
cause of his ability as buyer
Later that TOOrninp he rarpiVni Nor
mission for the afternoon release.
Several minutes before 3 o'clock he
forced his way into building
crowded with prospective buyers and
curiosity seekers. In the right-hand
corner of a room close to a big table
at which the auctioneers were to
station themselves, stood Bittner.
Macy moved slowly forward and
gradually forced his way toward the
extreme left. From this location he
could see Bittner without being seen.
The auctioneers having arrived.
they began eXpounding facts relative
to the great surgeon and his valuable
possessions. The sale began. Any
article would be offered providing
some one started the bidding.
Bittner moved restlessly. Finally
he suggested the notebook and Of
fered $50 as starter.
A short, fat man with a rudy
complexion, standing close by, raised
to $55. A young woman mentioned
$50. The fat man quickly came back,
believing a bold seventy" A thin,
weary man with a professional ap-
pearance with a timid voice raised
his hand. "I bid seventy five" he
ventured meekly, seeming uncertain
of his own judgment.
Eighty" Numbered Bittner,
drowning the others bid and turning
in an almost aggravated fashion to
frown at him.
The auctioneer released few mag
ic words from his experienced throat.
What a pity to sacrifice this great
work for few paltry dollars" he
pleaded And then in tone of Sc
ductiveness: "Am I offered 500 for
the. volume?"
The inexperienced young woman
was lead on by his artful persuasion.
"One hundred" she cried.
The auctioneer smiled. This was
easier than he had expected. Now
for a bigger boost do I hear one
twenty-five?" he asked.
"One ten," said the red-faced fell
low. "And / will not raise another
cent?"
Bittner smiled Zone twenty" he
boosted.
Then there came a lull and the
auctioneer repeated his previous ar
guments. But they were of no avail.
First CALL" he threatened, even
tually. Going at one twenty. Sec
ond call" But there he paused.
For fully 10 minutes he pleaded for