The Twin Ventriloquists

eption. We have just outlined the conversation, but for the purpose he had in view our hero talked straight to the point and his proposition was not an unre

the rear room and play off so as not to attract attention. The man obeyed and a little later

cussing a division of the swag. Now, if you want proof I'll go up the stairs with

he possibility that Ike was giving him a "steer," and th

g for eavesdroppers. Make sure of your points, then away with your information, get your aids and ca

here the politicians were the "snide" heard the murmur of voices. No ventriloquistic trick was ever played better in imitati

at is not a

nt-the earth?"

good, you know, and I want you fellows to remember I fell to that old miser and it was I who put up the job. We made a good haul without any blood-letting.

became radiant. He stepped away

's dangerous to

anger in a most remarkable manner a few moments later, for Ike managed to perform a second marvelous ventriloq

oom! There's a sneak

uddenly had the door opened. Well, a scene followed. The politicians were really discussing a very important political matter. They looked upon the

ir whole little affair. They did not stand on ceremony-they just broke loose. They were all really toughs, and the way they went

rush into the bar on his way to the door to the street, but he did not get there before one of the politicians was at his heels. He received a kick that lifted him clear off the floor, then another man took a rap at him, and at each kick up he leaped involuntarily; so, with kicks and raps, he was knocked clear out to the street, and th

he man protested, and when he arrived at the station he told his tale to the sergeant. The latter was bound to give the story his attention. He led the

sion that the man was drunk or crazy. The "snide" was led back to the station house and put in a cell. He yelled and pr

had accomplished their

und the old miser's house all the time. Now I recko

d arrived just in time to meet another embarrassment. A p

said Jack; "

eeable di

ly going to remain in

aid the old man had a guard and ha

t rid of th

e he will not

'clock and Jack, after look

d to see that everything is

use. The two young men had made a thorough search around the neighborhood and were convinced that there wa

oor. He remained a moment studying the rear of the house, then descended the areaway and in a few moments managed to gain an entrance, although the door was bolted on the inside; but the woodwork

comes down here and it is a wonder he is a

around; marble statues had rolled from their pedestals and had fallen to the floor, and on the walls were very valuable paintings, their frames moldy and the pictures apparently ruined.

" thought Ike, and after a moment he

e. He moved about with great care and in a noiseless manner, and he advanced to the picture, removed the cloth, fl

nal manner. He stood gazing in rapt attention, and so engrossed was he that he did not observe a counter-light in the roo

and what do

f him. In his hand the old man held a light, and his deep, sunken eyes were

ou Mr.

came the answer

r fr

n chuckled

r, there is nothing left for you. The scoundrels wh

ere to rob-I came

aid

es

d; if I do there

't under

me unders

ere as yo

chuckled aga

ears independent of all friendship. B

t in the old man's eyes

re is a mys

yste

es

hy

y dare t

nything about

speak r

tain

original of

uch wild story. Hark you, I have but to give an alarm-touc

ot need t

do I

convin

ll conv

wil

o

w the original o

maniac or

neit

ook in yo

e old man. The latter thrust his light forward a

ok like a rogu

neit

u force yourself

ere as yo

d no f

you ne

d

es

it I n

o do you a gr

u a

a

ow

bonds and all the pro

ghed in a strange, we

old me. I have not yet s

What I desire to know is, who is

is it of yours

I know the

you ask me

ion was a

s a myst

th

ere

lear-headed, nervy individual,

s the m

the original of

u d

r whom that picture might

u d

d

s the

again all eagern

uld like to know who the real

o you are and how you dared fo

ow all about

satisfactory. You say you know one for whom t

d

cture i

that the party I know is not the original of the portrait, but the likeness

at is it you are tr

m telling the truth. I

igns of great excite

s is it of yo

real name

ing toward Ike seized his arm and dem

n to full confidences, Mr. Sidn

explain yo

wil

o

if your nam

u d

a family connection; indeed, I am in the habit of putting little bits of evidence together and I arrived at a

r. My name is Ward; yes, my name is Ward, but I once knew a man named Sidney. He wa

go to Ca

yes, I remember he did; but come

ing what he had seen in the lower part of the house, Ike was surprised

," said t

old miser continu

l who you say is the daught