The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1899-02-17
CHAPTER III.

anu quickly drew the doctor into a cor
ridor leading off to the right.
That's the way young detectives do
| 1t, 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!" las two young
men turned corner and rushed past
them examining the numbers on the
doors). 'Reportorial vampiresi 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
| idlers 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 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
stood in the doorway leading into the
crowded ballroom. Signaling to a man
| who seemed to be a sort of floor man
ager, he said:
Il 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 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, adj
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
y9q on mat Hs} faEe FFRRan Bs a 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 2
tone of no little astonishment:
: You wished to speak to us, SIR
"On matter of important business
t and Immediately, if possible
. T-I hardly know what to say" she
f stammered, pushing the ice she hat
been eating aside and giving her white
S skirt pull towards her. "lfyou woulc
n call tomorrow"
Hendricks smiled reassuringly.
l.. what l desired to say must be con
e fided to you tonight. l thought as
Y was growing late that you might g
:. home before long, and that l nigh
: perhaps see you there"
II Mrs. Winfret colored slightly.
81 have no doubt that your reques
J. will prove to be reasonable in ever
IS way, but our escorts have just left tn
= room for a few minutes, and-an
YOUR proposal is unusual, to say tn
J. least"
Hendricks cast furtive glance
< the office. Small groups had melte
D. into large ones, and quite crowd ha
ri gathered round the counter. 1t VIZ
If plain to him that it would not be man
If seconds before the gay and giddy re
r elers would be Mortified by the awf
ne ! report concerning a prominent men
Der of their set.
nv MY request is decidedly unusua!
ne admitted, turning to the ladies al
n biting his lips, ''but the matter is vel
10 grave one, and you will appreciate n
n. boldness when you have heard VIII
he I have to say. l must urge you to G
# der your carriage at once. l shall Il
ST low you to your home. Surely, proteC
lie ed by your own servants you have not
ing to fear from me-a servant of t
his public"
in "But we have never seen you
FORE" the lady began hesitating!y.
,rs "Oh. aunt, don't say that, interpoS
?'' Miss Huntington, completely winnl
nh the heart OF the detective by her gent
nd ness and rare beauty. Il have read
nv muca of Mr.. Hendricks courtesy
tho ladies, and his bravery, that absolu
mo- " fear nothing. 1t won't take us
.en minute" she added, smiling graclou
ar on Hendricks. "Ill order the carrli
no. and we will meet you at home IN
zen minutes"
,cb Hendricks bowed like cavalier a
emf wendell his way through the maze
:ie- dancers to the office, where he '
ire joined by Lampkin.
,ot- Il presume it is OUT were his n
Int words.
his They are talking of nothing els
ted replied the doctor. 1.-THE excitemen
:, roo;or The DrODrietOr. has called