The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-07-09

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
the morning. Geewhilikins, won't the
public have royal feast?"
The two men managed to reach the
Office unubs,rved. Little groups of
idltrs were gathered here and there
like etidiss in the current of humanity
that swi-lcd through the great room.
Every now and ,!len some one would
throw Mortified glance up at the main
stairs as If expecting the rcappearance
Of the police men.
Hendricks was glad he was known
by sigh, TO only n few people, for it
often enabled him to act with more
freedom than he could otherwise have
done. Do!iing his soft hat, and care
lrssly brushing back his heavy hair, he
stood in the doorway leading into the
crowded ballroom. Signaling to man
who seemed to be Il sort of floor man
ager, he said:
II have an important message for
Miss llnntington; can you point her
out TO mc?"
The eyes Of the man thus addressed
swep, over the swir,ing walters for
moment, then he said:
There she is sitting with her aunt,
Mrs. Winfrct, on the tiivan under the
palms"
THANK you," said Hendricks, and to
Lampkins surprise, for he had consid-
cred his friend mortal.y avcrse to meet
ing ladies, the detective, gracefully
avoiding whisking skirts and flying
heels, made his way to where the two
ladies We're sitting.
81 beg your PARDON" he began, adj
dressing TIE younger Of the two, an cX-
c"cdin"ly beautiful young woman. II
,rus, YOU will pardon my boldncss, but
it is mpor,an, that | should speak to
you on a matter concerning your in
tcrrsis. ] must take the liberty of
introducing myself. Hendricks is my
name. | am a private detective"
"Oh!" with that exclamation, the
young lady stared hclplessly at Hen
bricks for moment and then trans
ferrcd the ra2c of her ong-lnshed eyes
to her aunt. Thus appealed to, Mrs.
Winfrct addressed the detective In
tone Of no little nstonishmcnt:
"Nou wished to speak 10 us. sir?"
con matter of important business,
and Immediately, If possible"
III hardly know what TO say" she
stammcreh, pushing the irc she had
been cutting aside and giving her white
skirt Il pull towards her. "lf YOU would
call tomorrow"
Hendricks smiled rcHssuringly.
"Whnt desired to say must he con-
fided to you tonight ! thought as it
was growing late that you might 70
home before long. and ,ha, might
perhaps see you there"
Mrs. Winirct colored slightly.
~ have no doubt that your request
will prove TO be reasonable in every
way, but our escorts have just left the
room for a few minutes, and--and
your proposal is unusual, to shy the
least"
Hendricks cast Il furlivc glance at
the Office. Small groups had melted
into large ones, and quite crowd had
gathered round the counter. 1t was
plain to him that il would not be many
seconds before the gay and giddy rev.
elers would be Mortified by the awful
report concerning a prominent men,
Der of their set.
"My request is decidedly unusual"
he admitted, turning to the ladies and
biting his lips, but the matter is very
grave one, and you will appreciate my
bollncss when you have heard what
have to say. ] must urge you TO or
der your carriage ut once. ! shall fol-
low you to your home. Surely, protect
ed by your own servants you have moth
ing to fear from me-n servant OF the
public"
but we have never seen you be-
fore" the lady began hrsitatingly.
"Oh, aunt, don't say that" ntcrposed
Miss Huntington, completely winning
the heart Of the detective by her gentle
ness and rare beauty. ~ have read SO
much Of Mr.. Hendricks courtesy TO
ladies, and his bravery, that ] absolute
ly fear nothing. 1t won't take us
minute" she added, smiling graciously
on Hendricks. "I'll order the carriage
uu'l we Will meet SDu Ut nome III Ten
minutes"
Hendricks bowed like n cavalier and
wendell his way through the maze of
dancers to the office, where he was
joined by Lnmpkin.
81 presume it is out" were his first
words.
They are talking of nothing elsc,"
replied the doctor. THE excitement is
raging. The proprietor has called in
the police to prevent the crowd from
going upstairs"
Hendricks pccrcd into the ballroom.
lie saw the two ladies entering the
cloakroom.
II hope they will get to their car
ruge without hearing the news" he
gruntcd. He led Lampkin outside, and
they stood together near the ladies'
entrance till he saw the coachman in
the Huntington livery rein in his horses
near the awning. A moment later Mrs.
Winfret emerged in her flowing wraps,
accompanied by her statuesque niece.
AS soon as their carriage had rolled
away Hendricks bounded across the
sidewalk to IN open hanson.
Follow that carriage" he said,
brusquely, to the driver, and he jumped
into the cab and was followed by the
doctor.
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