Two Recalls
Thereremainsthreedutiestobeperformedbeforethecurtainfallsuponthepatchedcomedy.Twohavebeenpromised:thethirdisnolessobligatory.
ItwassetforthintheprogrammeofthistropicvaudevillethatitwouldbemadeknownwhyShortyO’Day,oftheColumbiaDetectiveAgency,losthisposition.AlsothatSmithshouldcomeagaintotelluswhatmysteryhefollowedthatnightontheshoresofAnchuriawhenhestrewedsomanycigarstumpsaroundthecocoanutpalmduringhislonelynightvigilonthebeach.Thesethingswerepromised;butabiggerthingyetremainstobeaccomplished—theclearingupofaseemingwrongthathasbeendoneaccordingtothearrayofchronicledfacts(truthfullysetforth)thathavebeenpresented.Andonevoice,speaking,shalldothesethreethings.
TwomensatonastringerofaNorthRiverpierintheCityofNewYork.Asteamerfromthetropicshadbeguntounloadbananasandorangesonthepier.Nowandthenabananaortwowouldfallfromanoverripebunch,andoneofthetwomenwouldshambleforward,seizethefruitandreturntoshareitwithhiscompanion.
Oneofthemenwasintheultimatestageofdeterioration.Asfarasrainandwindandsuncouldwreckthegarmentshewore,ithadbeendone.Inhispersontheravagesofdrinkwereasplainlyvisible.Andyet,uponhishigh-bridged,rubicundnosewasjauntilyperchedapairofshiningandflawlessgold-rimmedglasses.
TheothermanwasnotsofargoneuponthedescendingHighwayoftheIncompetents.