Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-03-03
CHATTER III.


Hendricks grunted contemptuously
and quickly drew the doctor into a 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. 1t 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
them examining fine numbers on the
doors). "Reportoriai 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. Geewhilikins, 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 a few people, for it
often enabled him to act with more
freedom than he could otherwise have
done. Doffing his soft hat, and care
lessly brushing back his heavy hair. he
crowded ballroom. Signaling to a man
10 INa %
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:
There she is sitting with her aunt,
Mrs. Winfret, on the divan under the
palms."
THANK you,9 said Hendricks, and to
Lampkin's surprise, for he had consid
cred his friend mortaliy 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, ad-
dressing the younger of the two, an ex-
ceedingly beautiful young woman. 81
trust you will pardon my boldness, but
it is important that 1 should speak to
you on a matter concerning your in
terests. 1 must take the liberty of
Introducing myself. Hendricks is my
name. 1 am a private detective"
''Oh!" with that exclamation, the
young lady stared helpiessly 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 n
tone of no little astonishment:
you wished to speak to us, sir?"
"On 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 a pull towards her. IF you would
call tomorrow"
Hendricks smiled reassuringly.
what I desired to say must be con-
fded to you tonight. I 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.
81 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 a 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, tuEning to the ladies ano
biting his lips. but the matter is a very
grave one, and you viii appreciate my
boldness when you have heard what
l have to say. 1 must urge you to or.
der your carriage at once. 1 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" interposeC
Miss Huntington, completely winning
the heart of the detective by her gentle
ness and rare beauty. 81 have read 81
much of Mr.. Hendricks courtesy tt
ladies, and his bravery, that absolute
" fear nothing. It won't take us {
| minute" she added, smiling graciousl.
on Hendricks. III order the carriag,
and we will meet you at home in tel
I minutes"
Hendricks bowed like a cavalier ani
| wendell his way through the maze o.
dancers to the Office. where he wal
| joined by Lampkin.
81 presume it is out" were his frs
| words.
They are talking of nothing else,
/ rarnliad the doctor sSThe excifafr1eIaf i