Skinski needed about $900 to pay for a couple of new illusions
which were being built for him, and Bunch was appointed a committee
to go down to Sixth Avenue and disburse the funds.
"I think we've got the real graft, don't you, Skinski?" I said,
after the luncheon had been ordered.
"It's a pipe!" Skinski replied in pure United States, much to
Bunch's surprise. From the name and the make-up I suppose Bunch
expected Skinski to yelp in Bulgarian or throw out signals in
Graeco-Roman.
Skinski was a warm member with the gab thing.
He got his start in life travelling with a medicine wagon in the
West, and what he didn't know about the show business wasn't
necessary.
"Say, people!" our star went on, "I've a couple of new card tricks
up my sleeve that will leave the Reubens gasping for air. And when
I pull my new illusion, entitled, 'Keno, or the Curious Cage,' on
the public it will be a case of counting easy coin. Say! did I
ever tell you about that gold mine I won in the West many moons
ago?"
"Nix on the dream work, Skinski," I cut in. "We've put up our good
money to start you, so let's get down to the programme."
"Oh! very well," said Skinski; "but I was down to see my brokers
to-day in Wall Street and there are doings.
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