, 1896-12-02

nothing like doing the thing in a prop
er, striteforward wy"
"And,' said Lady Staplehurst. with
her fan on his arm as they walked
across the room, you have got the
east end accent ~capitally.'
""Taint so dusty, is it,
She beckonei 10 the gondolier.
Captain Norman and l are great
friends she said in III explanatory
way. He has not been long home from
abroad, and he knows scarcely any one. "
mot a blessed SOUL" echoed Mr..
Apps.
"You must let me show you round a
bit, Captain Norman,' said the Condo
lier 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"
"iou must consider me at your dis
posal if You require any i~ntroductions.
| know IA good lot of people, and any
friend of Lacy Staplehurst's''-
"Oh, come off the ROOF" said Mr..
Apps with much discomfort. "Wot's
the use of torking:'
Isn't it caDital:'' asked Lady Sta
plehurst of the gondolicr dclightedly.
How much more interesting it would
be If every II would only talk to me
III their character.
Lady Staplchurst rose with something
of hurry in her manner and spoke to
Henry VIII.
What regiment do you belong to,
Captain Norman:' asked the gondolicr.
Find out, said Mr.. Apps.
Am l too curious: l know very lit
tie Of the army, I'm afraid" The gon-
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 rs many AS l want to know"
said MIR. Apps evasively. "A man in
my position of life as to boz bit careful
who he mixes up with"
The hostess returned from Henry VIII.
81 can make nothing Of this man.
whispered the gondolior to her rs he
rose. II 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.
We'll, blow me-" said Lady Staple
hurst, scrcwing her pretty mouth III her
effort to initiate the cockney's accent.
elbow me il this amt n fair take-I
mean tike inhn.' she laughed. Its of
no use, Captain Norman. can't talk
as you can
Its Il gift" said Mr.. Apps, that's
what it is"
You don't want to be introduced to
anybody here, l suppose?'
Not me-"
"You have heard off,
She pointed in the direction of the
gondolier.
"All l want to-"
Hes really making u big name in
the house, you know. l watch his "a
reer with great interest.
Thinks a jolly lot of hisself."
"Oh, l think II lot of him, too" re-
marked Lady S%taplahurst pleasantly.
And is that a jimmy sticking ont of
your jacket pocket? This is, indeed,
realism. You don't know how it works,
) SUPPOSE"
"Wcll, I've got a kind of IL hidca,'
said Mr.. Apps. Look ere. You pu'
this END III and
MI. Apps found himself getting quite
excited III the explanations that he
gave. 1t vas u new sensation to meet
one who showed an intelligent interest
in his profession, and he could not help
feeling tlattercd. Looking up, he saw
the gondolier gazing at him.
HE don't look Apply, that chap"
said Mr.. Apps.
Twill you excuse me for one mo-
ment?"
said apprehensively.
II want to speak to him."
"Oh," with relief, Il don't mind
that"
While Lady Staplehurst vas 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 in, Emery" said Mr.. Apps. You're
q 'avin 'em on toast. you are, but you'll
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 rs the guests
saw a new arrival in the costume Of IL
in plain clothes. MI. Apps, thinking
over his exploits, gazing abstractcdiy at
his boots, II rcgrctting their want OF
polish. did not rec them until the plain
clothes man tapped him Oh the shoulder.
what! Apps, ngain:' exclaimed the
man.
"Yus," said the burglar discomfort
rdly. "Yus, it is Apps uginc, Mr..
Walker. And vurry glad you are to see
Lim, I've no daht."
Always a pleasure to c n gentle
nan like you." said Mr.. Walker cheer
fully as he conducted him to the door
way. i've wanted to run up against
you before"
Much commotion in the ballroom at
he diverting little scene. General agree
ment that Lady Staplehurst was a per.
feet genius at entertaining.
But, loveliest girl" said the gon-
lolier confidentially to Lady Staple
hurst, isn't this carrying u joke rather
too far2 That's a real detective"
II know" said the loveliest girl,
trembling now q little. "That's q real