The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1901-02-23
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"A
GIRL,
OFGRlT.:
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BY MAJOR
ARTHUR GRIFFITH9.
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COPYRIGHT, 1900, by II. F. FENNo 4 co.
COPYRIGHT. 1900, by II. F. FENNo 4 co.

COPYRIGHT. 1900, BY H. F. rENNo AGO. ~
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and down the. hall entry like ~ mad
thing. - 49,
50, Where are we going, sir?" asked
savory, growing respectful as he REQ
ognized my authority. -
$40 Scotland Yard straight. They
wouldn't listen to me this morning.
Now perhaps What have you got
there?"
ITS letter, SIR brought by hand
half an hour ago for Mr.. Wood, mark
ed, Very Immediate Dye see? But
you wouldn't surely"
This was in alarmed protect as was
about to break the seal.
wouldn't l, though? Why, It's
question of life and death with Captain
Wood. Anything and everything that
is likely to help us must be made use
Of stand on that, and here goes"
But just as was about to open the
letter we were interrupted by the ar
rival of a tall, military looking gentle
man, with fierce face and very hec-
toring, overbearing manner. We were
standing in the hallway. the man Sa-
worry and l, for although he knew what
my business was he did not trust me
enough to let me go up stairs. The
front door was just ajar he inside and
still on the stoop, when this high
falutin, masterful sort Of gentleman
came up and said to both of us:
as this where Captain Wood lives?
Look sharp. want to know
There was shortness in his tone and
manner which, being free born Amer
lean, l could not stomach at all. He
might have been slave driver talking
to black Africans, and looked at him
in a way to warn him not to raise my
dander.
"Come, speak out. Which is the man
of the house? Is Captain Wood in? l
must see him at once. am Sir Charles
Collingham."
At this Savory bowed low. They are
a mean, licksplttle lot these Britishers,
when there's any talk Of titles or big
toads in their puddles.
eyes. yes, Sir Charles; quite so.
know you now. But Captain Wood Is
not in"
"Where shall find him? must see
him at once. 1t is matter Of duty.
Where is hep
"That's just what we want to know"
put In. ut puzzles us entirely. He
has got into some mess somewhere,
and we can't tell for certain what has
happened to him or where to find him."
"And who the devil are you, pray?"
asked my gentleman insolently. "And
what in heavens name have you to do
with Captain Wood? You are IN Amer
lean, perceive"
"Waal, that's so, and what difference
does that make? Amt l good enough
to know Captain Wood or for you to
talk to-" He had pretty well raised my
dander this time.
"Pshaw! I've nothing to say to you.
l don't know you. and l don't want to
know you, and you may 60 to the devil
your own road as soon as you please"
And without waiting for more he
brushed past me, pushing Savory aside
and saying:
~ must go up to his rooms. There
are some papers up there want. Show
the way, please" and he ran up stairs.
OF course followed. I was as much
concerned about Captain Wood as he
was. Besides, l felt it due to my self
respect and position as one of your
most trusted agents to call this over
bearing Brltisher to account.
The new visitor, General Sir Charles
Collingham, as I presently heard he
was called, was the first In the room,
and he went straight to the bureau or
escritore, at which expect Captain
Wood did his writing business. The
general fell upon the papers and turn
cd them over with much haste and ex-
element. Then he turned to Savory
and said in the same peremptory tone:
where Is the dispatch box from my
office sent here last night? don't see
1t. Fetch It, will your"
"But it went to the captain this
morning, Sir Charles, with his port
manteau and other things"
'"Great powers! How could It when
you don't know where he ISL"
"If you will permit me to explain" I
here put in, although l wonder went
on, for saw clearly on his face that he
thought me an interfering nonentity al
together beneath bis contempt But as
told my story his manner changed,
his look Of utter incredulity and amaze
ment gave way to one Of absorbed in
terest, and by the time I had finished
he had thrown himself into the nearest
armchair with loud and prolonged
whistle an evident let off to his dis.
turbed feelings.
Then he sprang to his feet and walk
cd up and down the room like mad.
man, talking to himself aloud:
ats not possible. It's too preposter-
Gus. cannot, ought not. to believe 1t.
But yet, by the Lord Harry, strange
things do happen"
Then he pulled up short and faced
me as II were a criminal and a tough.
81 suppose you are to be trusted?
Who and what do you call yourself2
You haven't dreamed all thls7 You
weren't drunk last nightY'
II am q water drinker, Sir Charles
Collingham, and take 1t from choice hot,
according to my physicians rule" re.
piled severely. "You, conclude, from
your title, are a British army officer,
but do not consider you are gentle.
men to make such aspersions."
mn NJ CON1'INJfEDl