The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1896-11-05


bit Captain Norman," said the Condo
ler with determined geniality. Can
you come round to my club one night
this week."
"Whaffor?' demanded Mr. Apps sus.
piciously
Why to dine. Say Thursday"
Eaven knows where | shall be on
Fursday, " said Mr. Apps. Il don't"
"You must consider me at your dis
posal if you require any introductions
| know good lot of people, and any
friend of Lady Staplehurst's"-
ooh, come off the roof, said Mr..
Apps with much discomfort. "Wot 8
the use of torking?"
Isn't it eapital?'' asked Lady Sta
plehurst of the gondolier delightedly.
How much more interesting it would
be if every one would only talk to me
III their character. y
Lady Staplehurst rose with something
of hurry III her manner and spoke to
Henry VIII.
what regiment do you belong to,
Captain Norman asked the gondolier,
flnd out, SAID Nh Apps.
"Am l too curious? | know very lit
tie of the army, I'm afraid. " The Ron-
dolier was resolved to be agreeable to
Lady Staplehurst's friend Il always
dodge the army nights in the house. l
suppose you know several of the service
members?''
Il know as many as want to know, !"
said Mr.. Apps eyasiyoly. "A man in
my position Of life as to be a bit careful
who be mixes up with.p
The hostess returned from Henry VIII.
81 can make nothing of this man, ="
whispered the gondolier to her as he
rose. 4 think he's silly
IF you knew his qualities, you
wouldn't speak of him like that She
resumed her seat by the side of Mr..
Henry Apps
well, blow me, g." said Lady Staple
hurst, screwing her pretty mouth in her
effort TO initiate the cockney's accent.
elbow me If this amt fair take-I
mean tille dahn, she laughed. Its Of
no use, Captain Norman. can't talk
as you can.
cts a gift, said Nh Apps, "that's
what il Is y
"You don't want to he introduced to
anybody here, l suppose"
mot me. "
"You have heard Of
She pointed in the direction of the
gondolier.
"All | want to. "
Giles really making a big name in
the house, you know. I watch his ca
reer with great interest.
Thinks Jolly lot of hisself."
ooh, | think "a lot of him, too, " re-
marked lady Staplehurst pleasantly.
And is that jimmy sticking ont of
your jacket pocket? This is, indeed,
realism. You don know how it works,
| suppose?n
"Well, I've got kind of hidea, 4"
said Mr.. Apps. Look 'ere.n You put
this end in anda-
Mr.. Apps found himself getting quite
excited III the explanations that he
gave. 1t was a new sensation to meet
one who showed an intelligent interest
in his profession, and he could not help
feeling fiattered. Looking up, he saw
the gondolier gazing at him.
Gle don't look Apply, that chap, !"
said Mr.. Apps.
"Will you excuse me for one mo-
ment?'
''Wot are you going up to, miss?" he
said apprehensiyely.
Il want to speak to him. "
ooh, " with relief, 4 don't mind
that. "
While Lady Staplehurst was making
the gondolier resume his ordinary ex-
preston Mr.. Apps thought and thought.
The couples promenading after the
waltz looked curiously at him.
Its the rummiest show you was ev-
er III, Emery, said Mr.. Apps. "You re
a 'avin EN- on toast, you are, but you II
be glad to get upstairs again. You want
them diamonds, that's wot you want.
Time means money to you, Emery"
Lady Staplehurst hurried toward the
doorway. A murmur of amusement
went through the room as the guests
saw new arrival i'll the costume of a
police constable accompanied by "a man
in plain clothes Mr.. Apps, thinking
over his exploits, gazing abstractcdly at
his boots, and regretting their want Of
polish, did not see them until the plain
clothes man tapped him on the shoulder
what! Apps, again?" exclaimed the
man.
"Yus, " said the burglar discomfort
edly "Yus, it is Apps agine, Mr..
Walker. And yurry glad you are to see
him, We no daht. y
always pleasure to meet IA gentle
man like you, y said Mr.. Walker cheer
fully as he conducted him to the door
way. Eve wanted to run up against
you before "
Much commotion in the ballroom at
the diyerting ittleseene. General agree
ment that Lady Staplehurst was a per
feet genius at entertaining
but, loyeliest girl. " said the gon-
dolier confidentially to Lady Staple
hurst, "isn this carrying joke rather
too far? That $ real detective. "
II know said the loveliest girl,
trembling now u little. That's real
burglar too "
"a real"--
ayes, yes. Don't make a fuss. /
don't want the dance spoiled Take me
down to supper, like u good fellow. -
London t-Bits.