Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1898-11-23
CHAPTER III.


door after them when they saw man
accompanied by two uniformed police
men step from the elevator.
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 a dozen people
must have seen those blue uniforms as
cend the elevator and are now wonder
ing what's up. 1t won't be five min
utes before the whole thing will be pub
lie property. Ye'gods!" Gas two young
men turned a corner and rushed past
them examining the numbers on the
doors). Proportional vampires! Our
clerk despaired of making anything
out of me by holdi.g 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. GeewhiliHns, won't the
public have a royal feast?"
The two men managed to reach the
office unobserved. Little groups of
id!ers 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 a few people, for it
often enabled him to act with more
freedom than he could otherwise have
done. Doffng his soft hat, and care
lessly brushing back his heavy hair, he
stood in the doorway leading into the
crowded ballroom. Signaling to man
who seemed to be sort of floor man
ager, he said:
II have an important message for
Miss Huntingdon; can you point her
out to me?''
The eyes of the man thus addressed
swept over the swirling walters for a
moment, then he said:
'sThere she is sitting with her aunt,
Mrs. Winfret, on the divan under the
palms."
''Thank you," said Hendricks, and to
Lamphn's surprise, for he had consid-
cred his friend MORALLY averse to meet
ing ladies, the detective, gracefully
avoiding whisking skirts and flying
heels, made his way to where the two
ladies were sitting.
Il beg your PARDON he began, ad-
dressing the younger of the two, an ex-
ceedingly beautiful young woman. Il
trust you will pardon my boldness, but
it is important that should speak to
you on a matter concerning your in
terests. must take the liberty of
introducing myself. Hendricks is my
name. I am a private detective.''
''Oh!" with that exclamation, the
young lady stared helplessly at Hen
bricks for a moment, and then trans
ferred the gaze of her long-lashed eyes
to her aunt. Thus appealed to, Mrs.
Winfret addressed the detective in a
tone of no little astonishment:
"You wished to speak to US, sir?"
ION matter of important business,
and Immediately, if possible
IL hardly know what to say" she
stammered, pushing the ice she had
been eating aside and giving her white
skirt pull towards her. IF you would
call Tomorrow"
Hendricks smiled reassuringly.
"What desired to say must be con-
fided to you tonight. l thought as it
was growing late that you might go
home before long, and that I might
perhaps see you there"
Mrs. Winfret colored slightly.
II 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 say the
least"
Hendricks cast a furtive glance at
the Office. Small groups had melted
into large ones, and quite crowd had
gathered round the counter. It was
plain to him that it would not be many
seconds before the gay and giddy rev.
elers would be Mortified by the awful
report concerning a prominent mem
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 viii appreciate my
boldness when you have heard what
have to say. I must urge you to or
der your carriage at once. I shall fol-
low you to your home. Surely, protect
ed by your own servants you have Moth
ing to fear from me-a servant of the
public"
But we have never seen you be-
fore,' the lady began hesitatingly.
''Oh, aunt, don't say that" interposed
Miss Huntington, completely winning
the heart of the detective by her gentle
ness and rare beauty. II have read so
much of Mr.. Hendricks courtesy to
ladies. and his bravery, that absolute
~ fear nothing. It won't take US a
minute she added, smiling graciously
on Hendricks. IN order the carriage
and we will meet you at home in ten
minutes"
Hendricks bowed like a cavalier and
wended his way through the maze of
dancers to the Office. where he was
Joined by Lampkin.