Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-12-23
CHAPTER III.

1
men step from the elevator. 4
Hendricks grunted contemptuously
and quickly drew the doctor into cor /
ridor leading off to the right.
That's the way young detectives do |
it," he sneered. Half dozen people +
must have seen those blue uniforms as
cend the elevator and are now wonder
ing what's up. It won't be five min
utes before the whole thing will be pub.
lie property. Ye gods!" (as two young
men turned a corner and rushed past
ITEM examining the numbers on the
doors). "Reportorial vampires! Our
clerk despaired of making anything
out of me by holding his tongue and
| has sent these fellows up the rear
stairs. They know the number of the
apartment and they'll get there in time
to report the whole bloody business in
the morning. Geewhililins. won't the
public have royal feast?"
The two men managed to reach the
office unobserved. Little groups OF
oilers were gathered here and there
like eddies in the current of humanity
that swirled through the great room.
Every now and then some one would |
! throw Mortified glance up at the main
stairs as if expecting the temperance
of the policemen.
Hendricks was glad he was known
, by sight to only few people, for 1t
often enabled him to act with more
n freedom than he could otherwise have
done. Doffing his soft hat, and care
d lessly brushing back his heavy hair, he
stood in the doorway leading into the
e crowded ballroom. Signalingto man
e who seemed to be sort of floor man
= ager, he said:
81 have an important message for
Miss Huntington; can you point her
out to me?"
The eyes of the man thus addressed
swept over the swirling walters for
moment, then he said:
: "There she is sitting with her aunt,
Mrs. Winfret, on the divan under the
palms,
"Thank you," said Hendricks, and to
Lampkin's surprise, for he had consld-
cred his friend mortally averse to meet
ing ladies', the detective, gracefully
avoiding whisking skirts and flying
heels, made his way to where the two
ladies were sitting.
81 beg your PARDON" he began, adj
dressing the younger of the two, an eN.
ceedingly beautiful young woman. y
trust you will pardon my boldness, but
ID it is important that I should speak tc
y YOU on a matter concerning your in
terests. l must take the liberty O.
introdu cing myself. Hendricks is my
name. am private detective"
"Oh!" with that exclamation, tn
young lady stared helplessly at Hen
IA bricks for moment, and then trans
Nv ferred the gaze of her long-.asheu eye
to her aunt. Thus appealed to, MIS-
Winfret addressed the detective in
tone of no little astonishme ut:
"You wished to speak to us, sir?"
son matter of important bushes
i and Immediately, if possible"
I'll hardly know what to say" 81
: stammered, pushing the ice she ha
been eating aside and giving her viii
Erss skirt u pull towards her. IF you wou
call Tomorrow
Hendricks smiled reassuIsnsiy.
D "What l desired to s must be co
fided to you tonight. l thought as
was growing late that you might
home before long, and that mig.
perhaps see you there"
Mrs. Winfret colored slightly.
81 have no doubt that your reque
or will prove to be reasonable in eve
way, but our escorts have just lett t.
room for few minutes, and-.al
your proposal is unusual, to say I
!, least"
Hendricks cast furtiue glance
the Office. Small groups had melt
into large ones, and quite "a crowd h
- gathered. round the counter. 1t w
~ plain to him that it would mot be MAJ
seconds before the gay and giddy re
elers would be Mortified by the avn
=. report concerning a prominent me
Der of their set.
-. "My request is decidedly Mnusua
Ing he admitted, turning to the Indies a
II biting his lips, "but the matter is a We
d. grave one, and you will appreciate ]
boldness when you have heard wi
ed 1 have to say. l must urge you to
der your carriage at once. I shall
low you to your home. Surely, prote
ed by your own servants you have no
ing to fear from me-a servant of
ia public"
"But we have never seen you
. FORE" the lady began hesitatjngly'
"Oh, aunt, don't say that" interpo
Dl Miss Huntington, completely vim
oodsd the heart of the detective by her gen
ms. o. ness and rare beauty. II have reat
AIN much of Mr.. Hendricks courtesy
c.u ladies, and his bravery, that absol'
trade ly fear nothing. 1t won't take us
pack minute" she added, smiling gracio,
xists. on Hendricks. ''Pll order the CARR
and we will meet you at. home in
minutes"
. Hendricks bowed like a cavalier
4 wendell his way through the maz'
hair. dancers to the Office. where he
Gs nrsy joined by Lampkin.
ling II presume it is o'ft." were his
80 verbs. = !