The Plunderers: A Novel

CONTENTS


ON the day before Christmas a man of middle age, middle height, and middle weight, smooth-shaven, dressed in black and wearing black gloves, walked into the business office of the New York Herald . He approached the first “Advertisements” window, looked at the clerk a moment, opened his mouth, and said several words-at least, so the clerk judged from the motion of the man's lips.
“I didn't hear that, Cap,” said the clerk, Ralph Carroll.
The stranger thereupon made another effort.
“You'll have to come again,” Carroll told him, kindly, at the same time leaning over the counter and presenting his left ear to the voiceless talker. He heard:
“How much to print this ad under Male Help Wanted, in big type, so it will make about two inches?”
He handed a slip to the clerk, which the clerk read, counting the words from sheer force of habit:
Wanted-A Man With St. Vitus's Dance and an Introspective Turn of Mind. High Wages to Right Party. Apply Saturday Morning, Room 888, St. Iago Building.