Virginia
of ihe
Air Lanes
A ROMANCE OF
FLYING
. . . By . . .
Herbert Quick
Copyright. 1939. by t" Bobbi
Merrill Company
CHAPTER IIL
CARSON'S LANDING.
IT has always boon a point of
genealogical dispute as to whether
or not Theodore Carson's father
was of kin to the founder of the
old Carson place up Fish river.
General Carson In his lean years
used to sell turpentine to his name
sake at the dingy ship chandlery on
the wharf near the Eslava street oys
ter dock. On these commercial occa
sions the general, when mellowed by
Juleps, with his foot on the brass rail
and his elbows on the bar. used to call
the ship chandler "cousin." At other
times, however, be made no bones of
bis opinion that the Mobil Carsonses
were dashed common people and
branded as impudent any fool claim
of kinship between the bumble trades
man and the Carsonses of Marengo
county. Theodore was a little bitter
sometimes as he recalled the phan
toms, the pursuit of which bad ruined
two successive owners of the estate
the general's breeding maggot and his
father's curious pride in a mere name
whereupon he gave chase to a phan
tom of his own. with what success we
shall see, and followed what his
friends called a rainbow with such
true Carson enthusiasm that when he
left Virginia Suarez on the dock at
Strong's bayou, on that sandy, deli
riously dreamy, southern shore of Mo
bile bay. he steered through the night
for a house very nearly dismantled, on
an estate growing up to persimmon
thickets, dewberry beds and palmetto
slashes, the very title to which was
about to pass to bis creditors. Ills
ignis fatuus was in the cabin among
the gulf beach dunes, but neither that
nor the precarious state of bis for
tunes could account for his alternate
joy and gloom as be fared north in
the night The sky maiden was the
thing that really mattered.
He wondered whether her people
knew of the chance by which ha and
Captain Harrod had rescued the fair
castaway. Probably they believed her
lost The helicopter bad scarcely
paused when she struck the dune, but
bad shot out over the gulf like a flying
giilL They must mourn the girl as
lost and be bad the girl's name to
discover.
The Roc came coasting back In the
same tardy dawn that lamped that
young somnambulist to bis home. Mr.
Sllberberg lighted and smoked count
less cigarettes. Mr. Shayne nervously
walked the dock and debated the ques
tion of letting Mrs. Shayne know of
her niece's tragic death at once or of
waiting for a personal Interview. For
the Roc bod bad no word of either the
helicopter or the girl, and they saw
no gleam of hope for her. She was a
dependent and something of a prob
lem for Mrs. Shayne. Any ordinary
circumstance that would have sep
arated the aunt and niece would not
have been mourned inconsolably by
either of them. In fact. Mrs. Shayne
had expressed to her husband some
wonder as to what Sllberberg sifw in
the girl. But to lose her like this, with
all the uuplcusant publicity of the ter
rible affair!
"Marie will never get over It," said
Shayne. "What the devil alls that
fellow aft?"
The fellow aft was Wlzner. Inventor
of the lost helicopter, discoursing to
the crew In pure assorted maledictions,
which be heaped on all concerned in
the loss of bis machine.
The light found them far down to
ward the lagoon, flying high for safety
In the darkness. The long, straight
beach lay white, cold looking and soli
tary in the pure light which touched
the great gas holder to sliver while
the eurtb and sea were still In gloom.
Away south In the oiling were two
steamers, and from" the "wireless over
head could be heard the discharge! by
which the operator was making a last
dcspuirlug effort to obtain news ol
the lost girl.
The buzzer from the engine room
was sprung with a sharp rattle. Mr.
fthnyne went to the speuklug tube
"We all think, sir." said the en
gineer, "that we've about reached the
place where the young lady went out
to sea."
"Mr. Sllberberg thinks so. too." re
plied Stnyne. "Rut I think It was
west of here."
"There's a man on the bench, sir."
mid the engineer. "Shall ve speak
him?"
"Do," rrpllo.l Shayne. "He may
know something."
The Roc circled about like an alight
ing swan, all the time descending.
TL mnn seated himself on a log to
await her llbrntlon. Mr. Shayne spoke.
Had be seen anything of a Hying ma
chine which went out to sea yester
day? "It was right close hyah. sun." re
plied Captain Harrod.
"Did you see the young lady?" asked
Shayne.
"Yes. sub."
"Was she still clinging to the bell
copter when you last saw her?"
"No. sun. She wasn't cllngln' tu
( JJRA
"Iff!
"SHE'S ABOUT BO'DIS' THK BOAT F'U MO
BILE.' nothing with Hie liau' to'ds me when
Ah lost sight on huh. sub."
"Let down the lift" commanded Mr.
Shayne. "I'm going down."
The three men. Shayne, Sllberberg
and Wlzner, gathered about the fish
erman on the beach.
"Do you think." queried Sllberberg
"that there Is the slightest chance for
her to to be saved, my good man?"
"Ah'm slow spoke, an' It would take
a balf houab to tell all Ah knows,
gen'ly speakln". Rut if ifsjist about
the young ludy, she tumbled out on
the sand in fair shape, an' if she's
mnde good weathah she's ubout bo'diu'
the boat f'r Mobile. We wus ragbt
proud to bev huh as ou" guest"
"There!" shouted Wizner triumphant
ly. "Didn't I tell you that machine
would stand grief? Struck the
ground"
"Keep out of this!" commanded Mr
Shayne. "Was she hurt seriously?"
"But, I say, Mr. Shayne." protested
Wizner, ''don't you see that with my
machine you ve got the business coop
ered? Put your money on the heli
copters and you'll"
"Ah you Mr. Shayne?" Inquired the
captain.
"Yes, yes." replied Shayne. "What
have you done with her?"
"A gentleman Ah'm employed by.'
replied the captain, "has done carried
huh ove' to the Inn. Axln' yo' pnhdon
ah you the Mr. Shayne that's called
the prince o' the powers of the alah?'
"1 reckon I am," replied Mr. Shayne
Irritably. "But tell us of the rescue
of this dear girl. Tell us!"
While Sllberberg and Shayne lis
teued Wizner began scouting up ami
down the beach. At once they sig
naled the Palmetto Beach wireless sra
tlon. and In a moment the news came
In that Miss Suarez had sent id ex
sages to Mrs. Shuyue that morning
and had taken an early bout for Mo
bile. Mr. Shayne grasped the band of
Mr. Sllberberg. who sat on a log, bury
ing bis face in his handkerchief.
"I know how you feel, old fellow,'
said Shayne. "And I want to sny to
you, my good man, 1 can't repay you
you know, but so far as money can gi
I hope you will ask. or. rather, ac
cept"
"Ah couldn't accept anything, suh."
said the captain. "Thauk'ee kindly
But maght Ab ask whar you all's go-
in' uow?"
"Straight to Mobile." replied Shayne,
"Ah unde'siand." went on the cap
tain, "that you ab Int'rested In all
sohts of tlyln' craft."
"Well." answered Mr. Shayne. laugh
ing. "got a machine that solves the
problem? Most every one has."
"No. suh. but a friend o' mine night
ou yo' way Ab'd pow'ful well like to
bev you stop by an' see. He's got
something. It's Mr. Theodo'. my em
ployah."
"The gentleman who took my niece
to the beach V
"Yes. suh."
"We are In a hurry." urged Mr.
Shayne. "We are about starting for
Chicago. Won't any other time do?"
"It's ragbt on yo' way, sub." per
slsted the captain, "an" It's all the fa
vo' Ah'll ask of you all. Ab leave It to
you, suh. of co'se. but"
"Will you go and pilot us to the
place':"
"Ah cnln't vp'y well leave hyah,
suh," replied the captain, "but If yo'
pilot know thexe piny woods as well
as he orto do. m:Ii"
"Conn nl:0 tell ti it he place." said
Shayne m i-.n e,i "Well en l!ui 1
tell you, in.t im-nti t."ii man mialii
have spent a loi "t in tare rciii liin
Fin ley Shayne'"
"All reckon I lint- o sll'l " replied
the capiiiin ii'i imu Into die lift
"lie's lieeii a-stilil l!i y lieavy illintl
the mattali. stHi. o :i e-iia inliui."
The discovery ol t'l inei liattoxe mix
ture, with ten times tlie explosive
force of gasoline, had made ascension
nl and depressive screws an elllclent
adjunct of the aeronaut with Its barely
buoyant ga li t!.' and. wit It Hie Itnprov
ed propellers which followed, mad
the old faliloned "dlrisrllih?" a fairly
dependable craft In ottiluary weather,
It was aloiiK this Hue rather than by
way of the heavier than air aerouefs
that development had marched, to
the enormous enrichment of Flnley
Shayne. who controlled the Keewatin
methanose marshes.
Theodore Carson often thought of
Shayne. Carson's barren estate la
under the lane between Pensacola and
Mobile, and a.b.ove. this ran the sparser
drift from Atlautic and Appalachian
forest points to the Mississippi sound
resorts. Me knew the tyx of every
irshlp. Most of these hime objects
(mpplnc like swifts Into Hie chimney
of Itie aerial harlMir at Mobile were
Shayne" rondors, t which the Hoc
was ihe type, mh-i i after the early
various ut Count Zeppelin The
mailer, quicket. i.,u flying ones wltb
UI Hie ess holder were the still un
successful H'-rotiets ut the Wright and
Famnm types. I he -tie was varied
by an occasional onli- ptei wit h Bap
ping wtugs or lv hepeopiers. The
problem of life n in these various
vessels, ami he studied ihem wistfully.
so wistfully that the K.m-'s wild honk
sounded thrice before he heard It lie
stepped out upon the Bermuda grass.
saw a retractile telephone spinning
down from the great sliver fish bal
anced in the calm sky, caught It and
But It to his ear.
"Ch, Aunt Chloe!" cried he, running
ia for his hat and coat. "Here's some
one above the bouse asking for me,
and who do you suppose It Is?"
"Mout be the augel Gab'el," replied
Cbloe, "f m whab he Is an' de way
be blow dat ho'n, but Ab reckon it's
Jes some trlfilu' sky hooter. Who is
dey?"
The greatest luck you ever heard
of," cried Theodore. "Where's that
new parachute? Never mind, I've
found it."
Mr. Theodore ran out stepped into
the lift and was whisked up to the
Roc's polished deck with bis new par
achute over his shoulder.
CHAPTER IV.
A LEAP INTO SPACE.
M'
R. SnAYNE met Carson with
something less than the steely
coldness with which he was
wont to freeze the vitals of
the man representing an undeveloped
business opportunity.
I am under great obligations to you.
Mr. Theodore." said he, "for your serv
ice to my niece. To be entirely frank.
I should not have appropriated the
time to call on auy business account"
Mr. Carson felt repelled. He traced
the "Mr. Theodore" to Captalu liar
rod's mode of referring to him.
"1 am sorry." said ho. "that you have
gone even an Inch out of your way on
account of any fancied obligations. I
prefer the basis of business."
By Jove." said a voice at his elbow.
"you ought to be able to meet him on
that basis. Shayne.
Carson's ear was affronted, bis
nerves tautened by the voice. Shayne
waved the man away.
"But," went on Sllberberg. "It seems
to me. old cbafr. we'd vastly better put
the whole thing on a basis of break
fast first Send this good man aft and
let's fall to."
Carson wheeled round and stared
Sllberberg In the face curiously, with
the Impersonal disfavor of one study
ing the picture of some noxious thing.
like a Clla monster or a feast of vul
tures. Thank you." said Theodore. "1
have breakfasted, and In good com
pany." By glory, my man." shouted Sllber
berg. "If you say another word" .
Carson turned upon him, mid Sllber
berg sank into a seat, ("arson walked
jack to the engine room, saying that
be would look the craft over and see
Mr. Shnyne after breakfast
Sllberberg conceived himself vastly
Insulted by this fellow tbey had picked
up and gave his host rather a bad half
hour.
"We owe It to hltn to allow him to lie
a little nasty," said Shayne. "Think
what he did for Virginia, you know,
Sllberberg."
"By .love." cried Sllberberg,"! would
rather she had er that Is, I would
not allow any service even to her to
atone for such an Insult I don't al
low any one to He must leave the
Hoc, Shayne, or I will."
"But his machine may be worth
while." urged Shayne, using whnt ho
Judged would be a valid argument
wltb his guest "An Idea Is an Idea.
Max, and this art of (lying needs im
provement" "No Idea." Insisted Max, "Is worth
that much. Suit yourself, Mr. Shayne,
but as for mo"
Sllberberg waved bis hand, closing
the debate. As they rose they detect
ed Wlzner standing behind them, bat
In bnnd, as if awaiting a word with
them, or eavesdropping, as the case
might have been.
"Well." said Shayne rather angrily.
"1 Just wanted to say," replied Wlz
ner, "that I know what this young
fellow's proposition is. And If you
don't find him reasonable to deal with
come to me. I've seen his model. It
ain't protected, of course, and I can
build one like It In a few weeks with
money enough. I'll learn him to butt
In and take a customer from me!"
"When Inventors full out" began
Shayne.
"Monopolists get their hooks in,"
supplied Sllberberg. "Let's take the
fool north and see what he's got."
"Most sensible thing you've said," re
plied Shayne
Carson waited In glum silence until
the second descent of tho lift, refus
ing to occupy It along with Sllberberg.
Shayne urged him to stay aboard for
tliejilht trip to Chicago.
"The weather north." snld Shnyne.
"Is the mildest known for March. We
can discuss your project Mr. Theo
dore, over our highballs going up.
Come with us."
Very well, said Mr. Theodore, he
would go, with many thanks.
He wondered about the niece and
Sllberberg. but he asked no questions
fie strode directly to the lift and went
aboard the Hoc. It was late In the
afternoon when they took on two In
dies Psycho and Mrs. Shayne. The
ladle vanished mto the cabin with
Sllbelberg.
"What do you think or the weath
er?" asked Shayne of ("arson
"The low has reached Omaha." re
plied Carson, "and has deepened rap
idly. We ousht to get Into stiff south
winds soon, increasing all the way."
"Ia'I Vin Increase." rejoined Shayne.
"We'll make Mirt quicker. If It should
he northerly weather, now"
"We'd hate to moor":" queried Car
tou "Naturally "
"What I'm going to talk to you
about." said Carson. "Is a machine
(hat could make Chicago against the
fiercest yale quicker than tUls (lying
palace can do It tonight."
"Oh. yes," lightly replied Shayne.
"I've had etn offered ine that would
do It In an hour -In the Inventor's
mind "
The earth wa9 a concite cup with
tbe setting sun a flaming wick on Us
rim. To the north was a huge black
accumulation of clouds which seemed
swelling with startling rapidity, but
tbe weatherwlse aviators knew It to
be their own headlong flight which
brought the clouds uour.r with such
speed, giving them the swift upheaval
which mimicked the approach of a.
storm. The slleuce was absolute save
for tbe mu tiled exhaust of the englues
and the purr of the driving screw
astern, for the Roc kept pace with the
blast and tbe light breeze that swept
her decks was from prow eastwardly
to stern as she edged up into the great
cyclonic whirl and outfooted tbe wind.
Carson walked aft Looking rather
concerned, the engineer was turning
bis ear downward, listening to the
sullen roar that now droned up from
tbe ground.
"A deuce of a wind," snld he to Car
son, "Hear It howl, and not a leaf
stirring up here."
"Yes." assented Carson, listening,
"It is blowing. . But what of It?"
"Ob. nothing." replied the engineer,
looking at the manometer, "only did
you ever try to bring one of these gas
bags to In a gale, not to mention
nursing licr Into the boss' Chicago
garage? I ley?"
"No," answered Cnrson. "It must
be dlllleult."
The young man wanted his serious
talk with Shayne. So far they had
spoken nothing but generalities, and
he felt frustrated, held off. played
with as a skillful fencer plays with n
novice. And he had had no talk with
Psyche. This made him Irritable.
Miss Suarez stood by the rail look
ing off Into tbe blackness, her hair
heavy with a mist now Just becoming
perceptible. Mrs. Shayne from the
cabin door looked forth nt the young
woman with distinct displensure. for
Virginia had Just said a very naughty
thing to Mr. Sllberberg In a golf dis
cussion which had utuiccountnbly
aroused her temper. And up walked
young Carson to make things worse.
Virginia, taking him for Sllberberg.
turned ou him n face hot with anger,
stood looking at him a moment.
Then all the displeasure faded away,
and "something quite Irreconcilable
with It took Its place. Because she
held out both hands and looked so
divine Carson took them and held
them close.
"My robber!" she whispered. "Are
yon a stowaway? Are you escap
ing?" 'Psyche! Psyche!" he gushed. "Oh.
I'm glad! And you are well"
Mrs. Shayne called Virginia. "Please
come In." said she. "It's wet out
there."
Mr. Carson gave Virginia his arm.
and she swept Into the cabin.
"Uncle Flnley." snld she. "I don't
know how he happens to be aboard,
but this Is-thls is my"
'We know," said Mr. Shayne. "We
picked up your deliverer down In the
woods, Virginia." .
"Oh!" said she. "Then 1"-
"Yoti were the only one. It seems.
In Ignorance of Mr. Theodore's pres
ence. We have some business to talk
over. What's up. Willett?"
Wlllett, the pilot appeared at the
door with a salute. "We seem to be
breaking records." snld Willett "Tho
distance gauge shows St. Louis near
est, with low variation for headway.
Indianapolis Is weak, right around a
hundred aud fifty miles, and we're
getting Indistinct registry that's either
Nashville or Chicago, depending on
whether It falls off or Increases."
"I want to see you a minute," growl
ed Sllberberg nnd drew Shayne out
upon tbe deck.
Willett went back to his work; Mrs.
Shayne. bowed jrandlj to the empjly
air which her gaze Indicated as occu
pying Carson's position; Virginia, beg
ging his pardon with her eyes, excused
herself and followed her aunt, and
Cnrson was alone.
Sllberberg was making It unpleasant
for Shnyne ngnlu. This fellow, he said,
has been taking liberties with Miss
Sunrez. and he iSllberbergi would not
stand it.
"I tell you. Shayne." he urged hotly,
"he must be put off! He must be paid
and put off. If he isn't"-
"If he Isn't." smiled Shayne, "it
wouldn't be a serious matter, would it,
Max?"
"Yes." spluttered Sllberberg. "He
Insulted mo! I tell you. It's nil over
between Federated Metals nnd Aero
static Power If I'm forced to take
things like this."
Shnyne laughed heartily, but ho
beetled. Mr. Shnyne saw real danger
of a breach to which no obligation to
Cnrson could have forced him and
grasped Sllberberg's hand warmly.
"Max. old man." said he, "you're
quite right We can't go down In this
wind to let blm land, but wo can send
hltn nft"
Theodore wns exnmlnlng his pnra
chute as the pnlr entered the cabin.
"I have decided." said Shayne. "that
your acronef doesn't Interest me."
"Very well." replied Theodore. "You
are the sole Jr!;:e of that, of course."
"And you may consider the negotia
tions off." went on Shayne.
"I adopted that theory some time
ago," replied Carson.
Shayue took out his purse and os
tentatiously removed from It a num
ber of bills.
"1 think I ought to pay you for your
time," said lie, "and your service to
my nive. Please take these and be
good enough to go nft with the crew."
If Sllberberg bnd not seen fit to
Indulge In a sardonic laugh at this
exigency the explosion would not have
occurred, but that sneering chuckle
acted as a detonator for Carson's tem
per. He struck Shayne's extended
hand, scattering the bills over the floor.
Shayne stood with flaring nostrils and
white with rag.
"Don't notice the fellow. Shayne."
aid Sllberberg. "He wants to keep
his hold on the girl aud"
The speech was cut short by a blow
from Carson's flat band delivered wltb
lightning quickness aud wltb stinging
force. As calmly as though bidding
Sllberberg good morning Carson spoke
to him.
"Be .'areful bow you speak of her."
said be, "or I'll throw you over the
side. Mr. Shnyne, permit me to say
that you nro a cur. I shall leave this
craft at once!"
He started to go on deck, but as If
reconsidering he turned and rapped on
the door through which Virginia bnd
disappeared. The girl opened it and
looked breathlessly into Theodore's
face.
"I am about to leave the Roc," said
he. "I could not leave without bid
ding you goodby."
"Going?" said she. "Have we de
scended?" "Keep away from that man!"
screamed Sllberberg. "ne struck me.
and he knocked your uncle's money
all over the ship!"
Cnrson stood aside for her, nnd tbey
went out upon tho mllo high deck.
She halted, aghast to note that they
were still high among the clouds of
the storm, plowing on through a wild
wnsto of tossing vapor, while the
hoarse growl from the earth was so
distant ns to admonish her of the gld-
DROPPED OFF INTO TUB BLACK ABYSS.
dy height from the ground. Beyond
the Illumination of the lights It was
absolutely dark.
"You must be going aft?" snld she
Interrogatively. "I'll go with you."
' "No." said ho. "I shall never see
you again, but I shall never forget
you. Goodby, Psyche! Goodby!"
That Instantaneous leave taking the
trembling girl never forgot Pressing
her hands, ho started forward as If to
clasp her in his arms. He turned from
the embrace already half begun, step
ped upon tbe rail and dropped off Into
that black abyss of night and tem
pest Like a stone be fell, lost In the
mists.
The parachute, so far as she could
see, bad not opened In the least when
he vaulshed, and wltb pallid face she
stood there peering over into tbe un
peopled space, bcr soul filled wltb hor
rible visions.
CHAPTER V.
THE FALL TUAT FOLLOWED FRIDE.
SUDDENLY Theodore burst from
the floor of tbe cloud like a
meteorite and saw a long pro
cession of white and violet
lights speeding past and away Into the
distance, the arc lights of a town set
Into apparent flight by the speed of his
headlong career before the wind. Far
off In the glnre of a locomotive lire
box be could see a devilish black fire
man, weirdly stoking.
The town fled away. The roar of the
wind rose about him. He was whip
ped stlnglngly by the branches of a
tall tree; then a lower one bowed blm
through Its dense top. He laid bold
of a slim birch, and, ns It bent like a
fishing rod under his weight, he let go
the sheets of Ills 'parachute, the wind
spilled from the silken leach, and he
tumbled benvlly Into a muttress-llke
bridal wreath bush, over an asphalted
walk. nnd. eased down by the shrub
bery, bo rose unhurt, so far as be
could feel, to find himself by a rustic
seat near a dry fountain. On his left
he could make out a long building
three or four stories high.
A high wall running back from each
end of this structure seemed to hltn to
bound the garden, for a garden be
guessed It to be. Back In some crepus
cular Jungle he heard .ho throaty bel
low of a great dog.
Following the wall, he found It in
tegral with that of the bouso. It was
I blank and hlg.Hnm1 Insurmountable.
He reconnoltered the rear wall to a
brick barn Into which It was built.
He returned to tbe long house and
stole across to one side, where b
found a door through the wall, tight
shut and Impregnable,
Calllne up his scattered courage, he
went with some steadiness up to a
long veranda. A shrill whistle sound
ing from the top of the porch Instantly
commanded his attention Thcodor
saw a man on the roof Just In the act
of swinging himself down over tbe
eave.
C.et under here, old sport." aid the
voice, "nnd give a liberty loving class
mate a leg down."
Theodore reached up and steadied a
somewhat bony leg and was aVut t
let his burden down when the liberty
loving one co'.lapsed in all his mem
bers and came down by tbe run.
Carson started forward to raise tbe
demoralized fugitive to his feet. But
be was already up and seemed to be
bowing and kissing his hand to an
Imaginary audience.
My celebrated Averuus act." said
he. "Special gravitation expert to tbe
crowned beads! But, hist! Let me
greet thee! An ye bo noble, salute
my cheek; an ye be slob, receive my
contemptuous thanks! Hey, old sport?"
Carson stood mute, alone with a pos
sible lunatic nnd a very probable dog
in a walled garden into which he bad
dropped from the night sky.
"From your caput comet h a rattle
like a muted Castanet." went ou the
strange personage, "and anon like a
battery of telegraph sounders. Stay!
Is It possible that It emanates from
the clattering of your teeth? Caitiff,
you are scalrt or in an ague that
would reduce a fouudry rattler to
matchwood! Art cold, fair youth?"
"A little." replied Carson. "I am
lightly dressed."
"Then come, come away, tra-la-la,
with me, to a realm of balmy air and
breezes of Ceylon. To heel, and if
thy heavy hoof but scrape the gravel
to, betray our flight thou diest, and nil
thy wad Is gobbled by the privy coffer
of the emporium. To heel!"
With a swift darting movement the
stranger turned and, followed obedi
ently bv Carson, went across to a
building" which Theodore guessed to be
a greenhouse. Ills guldo opened the
door and stood back with elaborate
courtesy that Carson might precede
him. Entering, Theodore found him
self among beds of flowers which
filled the bouse.
i "It is too dark," said his guide, re
joining him, "to roako tbe exchange
of cards more than an empty and
Invisible formnllty. Yet I would fain
know more of you than the bright and
snappy technique of your tooth chat
tering." "I don't understand." answered Car
son. "I came here by accident"
"Quite so," Interposed bis interlocu
tor. "Lot's sit down by the American
Beauty bed there. If we might strike
a match, now. I estimate that balf
us lush logged derelicts go ashore here
In a state, to coin a word, of orey eyed
woozlness. I may say that I came my
self by accident and without meaning
to do so or otherwise. I must have a
smoke!" Then camo the scratch of.
the match, and Theodore scrutinized
the face by the flare of the match as
wltb nervous, unstendy movements the
strnnger lighted the weed.
He was a medium sized person, with
deep set eyes flickering from their cav
erns wltb a blurred sharpness. His
face was sallow nnd colorless, with
hollows in the cheeks. His nose wns
Irregularly notched in profile, like the
stub of something elso broken off hi
face.
"My name is Carson." said Theo
dore, "and I am from the south, from
Alabama. I"
"Craighead Is mine," rejoined tha
other. "I nm from hero and elsewhere.
There are twenty places where I might
vote were there any question under the
sun worth voting on. I think I may
venture to give you. sir, as my perma
nent residence, until further notice
only, the Rnt Mort. Paris."
"I" began Carson.
"The Rat Mort." interposed Craig
head. "One deep midnight in tbe dear,
dread past beyond recall I was ejected
from the Rat Mort because my conduct
was not up to the theretofore undia-
8
, "I All MOM HfcllR AND ELHKWHK11B."
closed stundards of the place from
the Rat Mort actually trun out to
coin an expression! Doth It not open
glimpses of a depravity hitherto fabu
lous? And when I have been graduated
from .this emporium I shall return,
(Continued to Page 8).
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