The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-08-18
CHAPTER x

Sally and Kinks dashed through the house to the porch. It was ap- parent at once that Mrs. Chpstack was right. Proceedings of a singular nature were taking place on the front lawn.
 On the grass at the edge of the driveway stood tall, blackhaired gentleman. He had pair of mag nlcent mustachios which curled luxuriously at either side of his mouth. His chin was long, tapering and shrubbed by little goatee. Despite the warmth of spring, he was dressed in somber black with a flowing, black cape draped over his shoulders. On his head was a silk top hat.
 The fact that the hat might re- gently have been standing-in for rabbit hutch seemed proved, circum- stantially at least. A small, white rabbit with suspicious eyes sat at the gentlemans feet, contentedly nibbling dandelion. And even as Sally and Kinks paused, open nouthed, on the porch, the top hated citizen was in the act of extracting a string of frankfurters from the ear of MT. Tony Spaldini, to an accompaniment of delighted guffaws furnished by MT. Bull Grif- fin.
 Lurking in the driveway was a Ford with a trailer attached. Ane on the side of the trailer in bold, white letters ran the legend:
 LIE GRAND PIERRE
 Maitre de Ia Magic
 Perceiying Sally and Kinks the silk-hatted gentleman hastily ex- tracted all the frankfurters that Mir. Sapldini's ear seemed to con- tain. Then he swept the top hat before him in curying arc and bowed low.
 "Bon jour, mademoiselle ct mon- sie,ir," he said. "Etes-yous les nnitres d'hotel2"
 ~Zh?" said Kinks, startled.
 "He's a frog" explained Bull Griffin. You gotta jabber frog to hin."
 'Mais non," said the tall gentle man. T speak ze Englies. But tres msuyaise, tres mauvaise."
 
 Having said which he handed the string of frankfurters to Mir. Spal- dini who, a buffoon of sorts, at- tempted to bite into one. It was apparently inedible and, with grimace of disgust, MT. Spaldini cast the whole string down on the gravel driveway. The frankfurters bounced slightly. Obviously they were made of rubber. And MT. Bull Griffin, perceiying MT. SpaldiniS discomforture, roared ecstatically. He was immensely entertained.
 Sally spoke. Sally was acutely conscious that a possible patron confronted them.
 We run this-thLs guest house" she said. Gan we do anything for you2"
 T drive along ze road" said the tall gentleman, indicating the en- tire Connecticut landscape with a sweeping guesture. T see ze sign. Tsestatorium.' Immediatement, am intrigue"
 Tt pays to advertise" Kinks mur- mured.
 T speak with myself" continued the Great Pierre. T say, 'Tiens,' ssH, 'zat should be ze house of rest. Cuisine par excellence. Chambers with ze comfort. Tres bieng. My mind, she make up. come to see for myself"
 We can accommodate you" said Sally, If you care to stay"
 Az she spoke 1t occurred to her that the Pennington Parker Resta- torium was fast taking aboard most heterogeneous cargo. An iras- cible elderly lady A tampcrcr with electricity. Two New York gang6ters. And now magician. But what Of it. she thought. Money was money, no matter who paid 1t.
 "I wish Zc room ot greatest pri- yacy," said Pierre, settling all doubt az to his intentions. T rest now. l relax I am disgust"
 "With-With magic2" Kinks asked. He hoped not. lie thought the lcea of having magician in the house most attractive. IL would furnish much diversion for the guests.
 The Frenchman turned mourn ful eye on him.
 "Mais non," he said. Mot with ze magic. am ze Great Pierre, ze greatest magician of zc world"
 Damn fl you aint," put in Bull Grimm, who had been very much impressed.
 "Ect is with ze women Zat I have ze disgust" continued the Great Pierre sadly He glanced at Sally. "Who does not pairceiye zat made moiselle ecs charming, he ees ze blind man. But Zair are zc women Zat are-hoW you Say eet--e trait ors."
 "Ain't 1t do truth2" said Bull