Evening star., 1927-04-16


a and the opening Of a new
lo3Seroosu. and Bill Holbrools
standing on the edge of the sidewalk,
watched with wonder and amusement
the passing Of a procession which con
tanned SIX brass bands and some 80
silkeu banners. each representative of
q branch lodge. except for one. heavily
embroidered with bullion and bearing
the inevitable golden argosy that
marked in the parade the symbol of
the officers Of the district lodge.
Behind each great banner. borne by
two men, marched the members OF
The lodge it stood for, respectable, i'm
portant and wearing purple scarfs
about their shoulders
It was a procession Of ordinary
neople-artisans factory folks, small
shopkeepers, a sprinkllng of office
men, honest, self-cOnsCious individu-
els, some wearing that hangdog ex-
preston which comes 10 the English
man when he is feeling foolish. few
heamiDg ut the Joke of appearing in
public wearing purple plush regalia,
not few immensely serious, trans.
figured by the pnaccustomed publicity
what have they got to be proud
about, anyway asked Holbrook
The policeman by whose side he
stood smiled slowly, but had no very
lucid explanation.
Welt--EOu'Ve SoHn these societies
before-Good Ten,, ars and Buffaioes
and Sons Of the Phoenix and Knights
Of the Round Table, haven't YOU?
They like tim a member of one
myself-as q matter Of fact, I'm chief
noble Ok my lodga-Sons Of the Phoe.
nix. But these chaps aren't temper
ancs. At the same time it's not
booZjng crowd. ! thought Of joining
myself. It's worth while Costs
pound year. bat there's two argo-
sizes, one in June and one in Decem.
bar, and they're worth $50, 900 each
That's why the order has caught on. :"
Fan me or Ill faint" said Bill.
"W hat is all this stuff about argosies?
] see now, There's golden ship on
every banner. But what do YOU mean
by $4,000 pounds--a quarter OF
million dolIars.'
The policeman looked at him sus-
piciouslv.
you're American, aren't YOU?
thought you YVES from the bad way
you talk English About these argo-
sles. You nay 81 a year and YOU re
insured for a hundred-if you Join
young loUgh. Then every half year
there's a drawing. In June there's
q first prize OF 10000 and hundreds
Of others-at Christmas there's a big
bonus and only ore prize-E50 900.
That's q new one on me" he said.
IN have to consult my police ad-
wiser"
Again the officer g1inned.
"You lodge with Mr.. Bullet. don't
you sir2"
YES" Holbrook was surprised that
his fame extended 10 the Edgeware
road.
I've seen YOU so in and out: I used
TO be on that beat AS matter Of
fact, / didn't recognize you till that
bird asked me il you had rooms at
the Inspectors house
Bill followed the c0nstable's quick
sidelong glance. a few feet away from
them. gazing after the procession. was
6 man who, in ordinary circumstances,
would not have attracted his atten-
tion.
He was dressed in a wen made
tweed suit. He wore a spotless wide
winged collar; his cravat was black,
his shoes sensible and solid The face
was thin, almost Intellectual lie had
a slight red mustache and on the
bridge of his bony nose rested a pair
81 cold-rlmmed spectacIee.
What do you think he is?" asked
the policeman, with superior smile
"I'll guess, said Bill Hes a floor
manager"
The constable shook his head.
Wait minute, said Bill, Il
haven't got him high enough. He s
2 st0rekeeper-of a clerk in a govern.
ment office probably holds some good
position
You're wrong, sir said the officer.
enjoying his mystery.
Then what is me-"
Hes a burglar"
The policeman made the startling
sta tement with great calm.
THAT is Toby Marsh. he went on,
before Bill could recover from his
snocE, one Of the Cleverest cracks
men tn London-he's $ only been caught
once and that was by accident. e"
At that moment the spectacled eyes
turned and surveyed the two men
IN a scrut;niziug, unabashed stare. In
another instant he had resumed his
inspection of the procession.
'id like to talk to him, Bring him
over
AIeo" said The officer aghast
GOOD heavens I couldn't 40 that,
Why, he'd tie me up i'm knots. Ordi-
nary kind Of police don't deal with
people like that. he explained You
see, we've got nothing on him and
the plain clothes branch doesn't thank
you for interfering with that kind Of
feller",
A. this moment chat Kind ot fener'
walked away from them and disap-