The evening world. Newspaper, April 29, 1916, Page 9

Story No. 6 THE MASTER SWINDLERS Two American girls, Mona Hartley and Mary Burnett, set about punishing the “Wolves of Society” books. This is the adventure. through their check story ,of their sixth (Oonpright by Kalem Company.) |ONA HARTLEY and Mary Burnett were in a cheap room of a cheap lodging house, and their clothes were shabby, Their personal be. longings had been reduced te a minimum, “Oh!" said Mona, despartngly, “Mary—if we could enly have ———— @ real dinner—dn @ place where the waiters know what you want before you do yourself, and the tinen is clean and the silver bright!"—— “Don't!” said Mary, of @iings like that.” fhe looked regretfully at the single dime whe held in her hand. cents apiece for dinner, Mona, Come on—let’s dine out! harply, “It only makes it seem worse if we think “Ten We'll buy buns and eat them in the park or some place like that!" “All right,” said Mary, Hstlessly, buns looked bigger than at the place Ite not much farther, Important events have hung on @ecisions as trifling and as wholly dictated by chance as that one of the two girls to try a new bakery, While they were selecting thelr buns they saw a young man who was giving an order at the desk. He was a flashy-looking youth, with a touch of the Bohemian about him. And Mona, peering at him, was convinced that she had « him somewhere in the past. He paid no attention to either of the girls, and Mona had a good chance to study him. Sho noticed that he kept his left hand carefully in his pocket. But an accident, the dropping “I saw a store yesterday where tho we've been going to, Let's try them, bilan Collection by J. de Veors Crogan, alue estimated at $125,000," " “I don't see what good it does us," said Mary, practically, “Wait! Now I know who that young chap is who 1s copying it! Harry the Hun, Mary—the most famous picture thief in the world. He's done impos- sible things, and ho's never been caught—and held. If he's copying that picture it's because he means to steal it.” “Well—that's Mary. his busine I still don’t see whero wall we ~come in" ture Theatres THE EVENING WORLD, SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 1916. The Newest Kalem Picture Now Being Presented at the Leading Motion Pic- In nie New_York TOO OCOO Ud AT $125,000! “IT'S THE FAMOUS MONNA VANNA,” SAID MONA, “VALUED IF HARRY THE HUN IS COPYING THAT PICTURE IT’S BECAUSE HE MEANS TO STEAL IT!” Plot by George Bronson Howard Novelization by Hagh C. Weir OOOOOL OOOO. FOO DDDDODOOO® OO 0D0000. Important events have hung on decisions as trifling and as wholly dictated by chance as that one of the two girls to try a new bakery. While they were selecting their buns they saw a young man who was giving an order at the desk— -Mona recognized him as Harry the Hun, the most famous picture thief in the world. ould 1%” said Watson. “I'4 buy It in like a shot and present tt to the museum, just for the pleasure of seoing Crogan squirm—the igno- ramus! “Well—tt's not very far from hero,” said Melnotte. “It's in my shop, to be frank! I know I can trust you to reapect my confidence!” There was an exclamation of amazement from Watson. “Woell—I shall certainly have to sce 4¢ you aro right!” he said. “And if fou are Vil be aa good as my word— fil take It off your hands and give ft to the muscum myself! Perhapa people won't take a new rich dabbler in art ke Crogan so seriously after thin!” Once more Mona had to suffer the strain of waiting to learn from Mary the outcome of something of which she herself had seen the beginning Hut she could wait. patiently; she wos sure that when Mary came home there would be news, And, a9 a matter of fact, she had not qutte #0 long to walt, Sho hurried home nv self, and in a@ little while the tel phone rang. “Quick!” gasped Mary. a second, Bring your the Monna Vanna down here at once Come rlht into. the shop—neither Harry nor Melnotte will be there. (Il meet you and it from you. T | can't explain: more ve only n copy of te but Mary’ r that it was of the co that she should the letter, She Mona was mystified, nvinced b importa utmost her chum wrapped up the copy she had made, laughing the while at its ridiculous obey by accident, and planned to save him from belng cheated. [ think he'd be pretty liberal—he could afford to be. “I think tha the best plan my- self,” said Mona. “We'll have to trust to his giving us something worth while-but i don't see that there's anything else we can do. Honesty isn't just the best policy this ttme—it's the only one, too!” And 80, carrying the precious tu: two girls set out for Watson's house. And Melnotte and Harry the Hun, at about tho same tir for were making destination. Melnotte ly confident of success, as he had every reason to be. “We've done ourselves proud thie time, Harry, old boy!" he said. “We never made a better strike than this the sa ubsolu is going to b t looks good,” sald Harry, “Bu it's a good idea not to crow befor. you've won.” Outside the house they arranged their plan, — Melnotte was to go In ket the money, and join Harry o' Harry had their tw they had the mon to take tight—since the truth word. sooner or later, be sure to come out anticipated no hitch: it seemed that ail that now remained was to collect the money. And when Mel notte rang the butler appeared to be xpecting him, Wellington Watson, pecting Melnotte, He had brought the president of the Art Museum to his home, expecting to enjoy his dis- too, was ex- comfture when he showed him tho of some of the coins he had received original Monna Vanna. But, whea ) in change, compelled him to remove , Jf We know what he's planning to r. It Was #0 poor a copy, she : on 1 © te . despite the help Harry had Mona's copy was reveaie: 6 do, why isn’t there a chance for us been receiver of all sorts of stolen art “Oh, yes!" sobbed Mary. “They've to steal the picture, tse ile woee ahd Le prae oeere, sees ce wiven hen the it was grotesace, and who was disoomated ic kt wae ft_and now Mary's attention wae at- 10° out in somehow?” asked Mona, treasures for years!” been in my famtly ever so long, and around etal take wt while tim look: "We've Kot to have them!” aald it would not. deceive any one’ who rigusly upon Molnotte, denouncias tracted as well as Mon: Both were wwe can surely find some way to “I'm beginning to think you're right, 1 wouldn't dream of parting with [101% you He offered to help me Mona, “And the ono essential thing knew the original picture for a single him, and asking him what he meai | struck by the curious tattooed design ont 5, what we've found out! and that this is going to be worth them if I weren't ao desperate with my copy to-day.” ls to overhear the conversation. tor minute, Nevertheless, she dectded if by such a bare-tuead frau, bn the back of the hand—a design ! 7 Naas we veerund: out! 2 5 Mary.“Dhe th “Well, well, don't cry," said Mel- * “Leth to-morrow,” sald Mary, morrow when Melnotte meets Wat- Mery wanted it, she should have tt. notte, thunderstruck, could only familiar to them as “The Devil's A"d I don’t mean giving him away, Ree bi a var nr Oonneee note IIIA] Yousibe value Oe tebe UE thine I'm pretty sure I son at the museum," Rot st was with even greater tm- stamier that thero must have been i : eithe for us to do is to establish a connec- . ell you—the v. ow ve got up their her agreement atience that she waited at home, 0. Bign,” consisting of a small demon Ve frankly that 1 tlon with Meinotte—and I think I seo things is sentimental, No one would po el hoo . : have to bo tho ono to get After a momentary talk with Mary, Il go back to the shop and got tix fi dancing on an inverted cross, But it don'e 7 ; ehanoalt © dala M -y, @ way to do it, toc buy them from me, so it wouldn't be “go the next day Mona gladly ac- facts,” she said, “And I don't who had, of course, no time to tell original picture!” he said. was only Mona who seomed to ace [Ont see any chance,” sald Mary. ® WAY * sat Pe uek interested busines for me to give you anything cepted Harry's offer to help with See how you're going todo it! They're her what was going on. And when But the president of the museum ‘any real significance in this. Mary “But there's nothing else in sight. I Now that I've got you intereste finishing touches her copy re- Sure to b pictous if there's anyone emai came in Mona pounced upon was no fur them, But I don't like to see you the ‘as not satistied. I'm sure we understood her signal, and they both S¥UPPOse we might as well wat for him going to get something within earshot could even take off . She thanked him, when it wag r before s “Lat him go back,” he advised, *t " an le. You kee; ings and (uired ; ; ; Leave that to sald Mo ‘ Md, “bu - MEGA im to get through here and see where he done!’ sud Mona, confidentially, “It's titeares ‘ aS aaeattes 66 eee ee eee a cone oun aed fdentiy. IVAN RONUTA: GrlatOR ee aia “LnOk' cried Mary. dramattvally. oe Polloeman. He has a good ae es. No hi ” yhen you can't see a way that I'm > hat ca hoe " gered and eaw him come out, and no * 1 4 deal to explain, even if be tm “But why?" asked Mary, when 5908: Ree ararine Shei oe Gan atars i Suppose you let me walk around to then she returned and took up the mn WOTKING there WIR Hee oee, te Nee elie, and vekinte mrs picture—for I can tell you, Watson, were on his trail. ad . " Pe eeanee 01 i vou and se "t watch from a nook she had discoverec jan Nd n t a pinned i skirt, that the museum had thes are iant I know him, sald Mona, )@ps.” said Mona. “I've got a feel- Well, you've got your part to do, : bes So at i Ae ee in her wandet in the museum. It uever hear of the whispering th bre ic Bee athe rhe Pe, Inte as yesterday!" " ry a “ht L believe we're ing that we've stumbled on some good too,” said Mary. “You used to study IDR Ashes e leeches cect fie A Ld seemed, ‘how that she was ‘entd Mary, Grlghtening. “Db toad atcahe WAnnal And, despite Melnotte's frant .¢ \ ‘And if I am right beli funk afar t. Can you paint well enough to _ Mary understood his purpose per- doomed to be disappointed, for Harry Pada id bis i te tests, the butler was sent t 1 not Wasting our time. There's no te badah epee ere ee the fectly well, He wanted to seo if sho did not return, as sho had supposed nto say there's something | Mary! cried Mona, tn a panto. jm H ehh Mga a ‘e 1 ‘There was a small park opposite the pretend you're making a copy of the fetly well, He wan rd Tian resort in the museum” “Whatever are you going to do with ‘iceman, Harry heard his cg aul ’ 5 PH y y Dy reason why we shouldn't follow him, ; had been telling the truth, But she he would. y becullass th and took to flight. But a special p ' ‘ig there? T) shing else that we Museum, and here they sat and ate Monna Vann a ull t Mary, however, saw him come into tmake any prom. | “Ah—that T don't know myself, lceman, engaged to guard tho home A) have to do that is promising their decidedly frugal repast. They “Just about,” said Mona, “They steed, tearfu He Me ot hag Melnotte’s and she was uble to hear fie je but T have: hopes” very sald Mary "of the block, selaed him and dre o® (SAD Je ne @ Mary, “Dut had some time to walt, but they were wouldn't throw me out if went there U8 save bin ample proof of her ium tell the dealer that he Was BONE ich hoped.” ut Mona got the story, bit by bit. him to the Watson house, Ann. ~ supr sid ; id Gi SO AWHELHETEARIG Chea OURAN @ Ghee story. He was Impressed by the bar- to “turn the triek’ about nog. when “And the next day she took up her “They came back—Harry and Mel- Melnotte and Harry exch begun in the pad (that doesn’: mean muc INEt HATERIDIEGTALERIGRRE GOO, AEE ths of the two PR poverty of the room she shared ee ete e Monma Mitel Ina certain spot in the gallery, notte-with Watson," sald) Mary, cuse the other of double dea. for Even when the young man turned ps Se ail tO: os ne epee, with Mona, and he did not notice that WONt out with the copy of the Monit irom where she waited she could not “And they showed him the ploture. They convicted the pmselves and ons ) in at the impressive entrance of the them. He hurried off, instead, as if girls diverged for the time. Mc plonah ead etialas Treat Vanna that whe had found in the the deanclic® trees af tke Aiseea, ae tremendously excited just anothor in thelr anger, bath wong Columbian Art Museum, Mona in- '@ had an appointment to keep, and with her easel and her paintir Lie Reade dceanbialasde Recall ue a, Laedonteiel hidden under his coat, she Vanna at all, but that did not trouble as stirred up as T would have beon placed under arrest a4 follow him. And when they had to waik fast to keep him in things, went to the museum, Harry W&* little enough, indeed, to indicate telephoned to Mona wha had akrod her, And, sire enough, after a little If some one had offered mo awonder- ‘The two girls, meanwhile, had ar slat fedeaey aden hei Fi *, that there were two of them there! 000 In ¢ ann © time, she heard the volco of Mel- ful diamond necklace, They talked a rived, in time to see what was goin, he saw bim sit down bef er. Sight. They managed it, however, was not there when she arrived FI h do you owe?” he asked, Museum. And Mona at once hurried notte ot about showing up a man cailed on. They dende weet Yl we tain picture, unpack a small ea and saw bim go into a curious Uttle after she had wandered about for a fe aa De vet nmounte-be. Vick to her hiding place, just in time "st ford you you'd be surprised, Mr. Crogan” & bad time for their visit, und set to work copying , ure store. The shop, if {ts sign could be time, ¢ joying the opp. tainau © ary told him the xact amount—be- to be out of # nt when Harry re Watson,” sald the aler 1 needn't “Tr can tell you about that,” sald home. But the next day, Poe and s i i . epee ‘ ag cause, of course, expected indi- sumed his copying point out to a real collector like your vn, and did had read the the ghe wae greatly 1 ved, was kept by one Melnotte, at the pictures, s a Ronean : " : cena en, uke. tt THBuL ai aa a i Piataey.a (ae cay # ad ho stories. in the as ; fee i oe i rectly to get much more out of him — She si m take the OUs s6 nat this is ularly said Ma el, - papers, they decided to go b SCome on,” sald Mona, “I want to and its windows indicated that any- and take his piace re the Monn@ inay she could have done by naming Monna Vanna from under his coat; dent ¢ { the famous Monna way, Mr. Watson said he would take their original plan. “Watsen oe en see the picture, 1 think I know it, thing might be bought within—or Vanna. Sho Waited a little longer, and ‘°2” i ne by iS saw him, too, cover the back of the Vanna the picture, and Melnotte was to send thom cordially. Mona tolt ct i ‘ aay é ” sol a greater sum, which must still have eopy with paste. ‘Then, very swiftly “ny | "sald a voice that was it to the house this afternoon. He cet Ale A told of the gus but I want to make sure.” sold. The most extraordinary coliec- then went up to him, rather timidly. 1 } : ty Jove!" sald a ve vat was It to the house th , picions Harry's conduct had rouset 5 ye 4s and sit been petty, and dexterously, he cut the real paint- strange to Mona—the voice of Wat- offered a cheek, but Melnotte sald he jy her. “It’s the ‘Monna Vanna said tion of odds an ends was visible, ‘Oh, | beg your pardon!’ she said. “There you are!" he sald. “I'll lend Mg from its frame, Posubstiutg son, "You're right, mant What a would Ike to have the cash, and Wat B Mary, after they had slipped up bee ng other things, a f “1 wonder--would you mind very : ; the copy, smoothed it down. And scendal! pala eR Nei inal eat high to’ come and , BY a curious chance, abe sald, her ‘4 th tt he Mona s:.1, were o: f t rn . you the money, and when your ship after he had hidden th Monna Vanna, The estimable Mr Crogan has get this evening friend Ma was working f Mel Bee ee painter: without attraoving : TUUSN ES SAE AE oped the Ple- Comes in you can pay me back.” he calinly sat down and resumed tis cortaint lod t blie this er told you Harry the Hun wontd hette, and, learning of the plot, had his uttention, and zlimpse aamer Seat value.cr importance. Hut Mons ture, toot “Oh—it's hard to take charity!" she copying! An attendant pasted SOON aid Melnolte, nn PUUUC tN tine tnt eering rid af the nies decided. to prevent’ him. team deine plate on the pictur was breathing fast, none the less He turned to he tart sobbed, “Could you-ien't there some afterward, but auw nothing wront von, ive the man his due-he's a ture! sald Mona, Victimized through the purchase of * “LE thought so!” said Mona, trium- Melnotte!” she said,‘ of annoyance. But was pretty work I could do ¢ iin your shop? ahd Mona wanted to applaud Hlarcy"s goo), rook,” said Watson, “I've That was enou at ed sett “a ; eal WC, a work £ coulc ad td MOVs coolness and nerve, ‘ ave: abso , ‘ i} here ah ary rn phantly. “Come on—I want to show sure, Mary! This store {s Jus enough to disarm him at once, How ‘phen Ld feol 1 was earning the money, Jutely no Nun, ae the Man passed HO doubt he thought he had the reat when | Hee ly, ‘la tho real Monna Vangel you something in the catalogue, Melnotte Is one of the most famous ever, it was rather ungracious at jeust!" him, of bein rvoux, And notouns think — i, ee ie BROW poet FO Meee tag tate r was no dou s time. Wat- “There!” she sald. aphaelo— ‘art fences’ in the count g- tone that he repli “Why"—— he said, and paused, {1 he had been iat, are for sone OT tat He ie ratty fcallat atten LHe. RiBLiec Keddie: ta ean nm find the nt both reaog Monna Vanna—10s2, Considered by seurs who care mpre about what is in “4: is not my j +my dear young struck by the idea, “L think there 1" Ne notually: Ase this comes out Ina box, you know. So T did—a BH ei sierlagte echaith ; s many to represent the greatest phaso their collections than how they ob- Jady." he « ii 4 ph gen fi Jae i) A ip eancthan He's always refused to take com- changed your picture for ther two ladies he presi- gd La Is dae aa paper ie TATA IPC GRE EEE RUS lady," he said. “You or any one else might be," he said, “Come around in He passed out of Me a's Hon then setent advice began Melnotte, Monna Vanna! ‘They never thought “ent. “were not only upright, but re of the ma aaned to th um- tain casures know him. He has can come here and copy any picture the morning and LU thud gometaing Of Course, but passed inty Marys Machin souRant Miaseated 10 10UK At it exain-that waplthe com Workable clever, 1 tecl that sha aaits you like. tor you to d eit ticec rhea a be Pik 1 Malnotts ¥ Watson. big chanea T took, of course! So eum owes you the deepest grati- Despite this rather rude bexinning, “1 told you!" suid Mona, exultingly, She had rendered Far removed from them though ane the copy you made has gone to Mr. {ude A reward of $1,000 would have h si % ol aid Mona, It » She had render Wik aUanise clear and dig. Watson's house and Melnotte is going been offered for the return of the they were soon chatting amicably, when she heard what had happened, wnobtrusive ever tinct to. Mona's cars. And yet f ynoy in about an hour!” ture—I take great pleasure, now. in Mary, meanwhile, hid also been at “Hee! Lverything is working out 1 Work, and they she knew that been within Mona began to laugh helplessly WHY Hin Ine slick for CBE aun i} She had taken out from the . atm ven sor grante : A doen feet of she would h And all the time we we—have the t isn’t enough,” 1 ataon work, She had taken out from th * way we wanted it, too! I'm very well, heeaus incrouaed her f.GoRen foot o| (neh ana tate ‘sha said, “Mary -Mr. Wat. “And I'm grateful, too! (shall giv trunk the two old picces of jewelry more certain than ever that Harry'y opportunities for observation tre. [ind only an Wik AY GURIOUA 80. Immediately what an give vou a certain percentage of the that Mona had found and cleaned ving to steal the picture, And. if mendously trick of aco wing the sound awful copy—-my copy—has been sent Money that [ would have given those them, although she did not clean fee Ve wolng ean: in L e (aiares yay managed rn ace Barry take tite of their voices about, e¢ 7 scoundrels bad not been n for your mae, " ahs ce nly Ought to be abie to tind ou picture ar wit t ole this «pot and that he will! And I'm Just rvention!" them 40 well as to make them look who they're guing to sell it to And then she saw something gid a ; wondering how we had better work ‘That night Mona and Mary, thelr too new. And with these she went to at's What puzzles me," said All HOt" Aeainotte tenoredt r's t I thought of just going there, wardrobes restored, thelr jewels pe in « jewels 1 the shop of Melnotte, She was lucky hey must have some plan Tart terrnptton ginal, and telling lined luxuriously in the best enough to find Metnotte disengaged, TMs picture is tov well known for any 1 muppone ot ’ what we know, quite frankly nth ih n h ‘ us ie un able te anew Tiana oon t hace ths ‘ o learned about the theft (End of Sixth Episode.) He sized her up at once, from her roiU's been stolen ww? And 1 ’ timid, — indiffer« manner, as a ould pay a great price for a ited for 1 woman in distress, and, because she picture that he would have to keep wt a Was kod looking, attended to her Milien utter he got ix? 1M ek } : ; himself, A ADRAC Maori te Bene ny 1 ono Ha “I—I want to borrow something on may be sure that taken tha had ' wa ' these, if you please,” she said, laying "3k of ealing the Monna Vanna he : vat m bee ml pla ! her trifles before him. He picked “M4 Pe ee kat D PEPONAARE Pee tha 1 ! them up, sniffed, and then pushe NE the thatt. ba dlecovered (at " 4 famou them back to her. ’ A « f F ‘de edaet al Var t 1 with “For heaven's sake--what YOU cietann ae Nc EL I t W \ oath bring stuff like this Hb) Gaitnalicnaliat tram the National’ Ci id been su enol usked, contemptuously. “This is not Jery in London and the wasn't inl Whee \ Each on ing but Junk you've got, my dear! tuscovered for six months, Even then Al Pade ever Asia thie jan't apawn 1 We buy they only suspected hin they could {van n thé otam : pte li peli prove that he was nie haf} h 3: SAG, Of " a cu eat day Mary reported to Me ae : . we will sometimes arrange a loan." y nd went work, and Mona Pah Wy Mary looked at him piteously, And umed her « ng at the museum. eee ina itant naan «few days notuing of ‘ut ie Ne t bracelet sho t He heepa me upstairs, most of sees ‘ “Oh she sobbed, “What am 1 . told Mona, “I’m sortir ent with Watson do? What am 1 to do? I have tof things he lias na att 1 ' nothing « eft—and you say these reroom There's a cx ony M Ny { ; a! Oh regres a Vanna picture, by the "y ' ' baphig mh, Tal know what ooks qu and that 19 foot t to do—I have got to have money, or od, T dmagii I'l) be tout of y room!" n faked t nake it} V ‘ C ' *t ite wae Apretty thorough } said) Mor ment in htm that made him fy mink. You aee phos 1 ry for Mary. He might have con ered that and have hardened hie sseshaes - ss; If she hadn't been so unusua “uiiattscican't*s ( THE SEVENTH ADVENTURE OF 00 much for him. So he came around ¢ counter and took another look at teri 66 ” bd Well, now VW tell you, young SWIFTLY AND DEXTEROUSLY HE CUT THE REAL PAINT re anid Al S da nRda re K a Mis Was jur ty att i " * rtm. : an seenemanted : ING FROM ITS FRAME AND SUBSTITUTED THE COPY, said this wae junk. It's old stuff, a WILL BE PUBLISHED SATURDAY, [MAY 6 $ MARY SAW THEM TAKE THE STOLEN PICTURE AND PUT IT INTO THE FRAME, { T cupposo the things are hetricoms?’ amenanoenn = and RRR RN LIN ten a wn et nt nee nee ee a . »