Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-10-05

Would 1t suit you II ran out to-
night?" Maitland demanded so abrupt
ly that Bannerman was disconnected.
I-er-ask nothing better"
"Ill bring them in town tomorrow.
You arrange about the vault and ad.
wise me, will yoh like good fellow"
BLESS my soul! never dreamed
that you would be $3.50"
"Amenable to disciplinev Maitland
grinned, boy-like. and. leaning back.
appreciated Bannerman's startled ex.
preston with keen enjoyment. We'll.
consider that for once you've scared
me- I'm off--just time to catch the
1920 for Greenfields. Waiter!"
He scrawled his initials at the bot
tom of the bill presented him, and
rose. Sorry, Bannerman,' he said,
chuckling, ito cut short pleasant
evening. But you shouldn't startle me
SO, you know. Pardon me II run: I
might miss that train"
.But there was something else
"It can wait"
take later train, then"
What! With this grave peril hang.
ing over me? Impossible! Night
Bannerman. discounted. saw Matt
lands shoulders disappear through the
dining room doorway, meditated pur-
suit, thought better Of it, and reseated
himself. frewning.
Mad Maitland, indeed" he COM
mented.
AS for the gentleman so charac-
terized, he emerged, moment later,
from the portals of the club, still
chuckling mildly to himself as he
struggled into a light evening over
coat. His temper. having run the
ganlut OF boredom, interest, perturba-
ton, mystification, and plain amuse-
ment. was now altogether inconse-
quential--a dangerous mood for Matt
land Standing on the corner OF
Twenty-sixtf street he thought 1t over,
tapping the sidewalk gently with his
cane. Should he or should he not car
nv out his intention as declared TO
Zimmerman. and go to 0reenfelds that
same night! Or should he keep his be-
lated engagement with Cressy's party?
An errant cabby, cruising aimlessly
but hopefully, sighted Maitland's tall
figure and white shirt from distance,
and bore down upon him with . gal
liant clatter of hoofs.
"Kebsir?''' he demanded, breathless.
", pulling in at the corner.
Maitland came out Of his reverie and
looked up slowly. why, yes, thank
you," he assented, amiably.
Where TO, sir?"
Maitland paused on the forward
deck of the craft and faced about. look
ing the catby trustfully in the eye. i
leave 1t te, YOU" he replied, politely.
Just as you please"
The driver gasped.
"You see," Maitland continued with
courteous smile. 81 have two engage
ments--on,s at Sherry's, the other with
the 1920 train from Long Island City.
What would you. as man to man, ad-
wise me to do, cabby?'
well, sir, SEEM as you put 1t to
me straight" returned the cabby with
engaging eandor, I'D go home, sir, If
l was you, afore got any worse"
THANK you" gravely. Long Island
City depot, then, cabby."
Maitland extended himself languid-
ly upon the cushions. Surely" he
told the night, "the driver knows best
he and Bannerman."
The cab started OF jogging 80 Sc
dately up Madison avenue that Matt
land glanced at his watch and elevated
his brows obviously; then with his
stick poksd open the trap in the roof.
"If you really think it best for me
to go home, cabby, you'll have to drive
like HE'LL he suggested, mildly.
"Yessir!"
A whip-lash cracked loudly over the
horses back, and the hanson, lurch-
ing into Thirty-fourth street on one
wheel, was presently jopncing eastward
over rough cobbles. at regardless
pace which reused the gongs OF the
surface cars to clangor Of hysterical
expostulation. In a trice the IL" ex-
tension was roaring overhead; and a
little later the ferry gates we're yawn-
ing before them. Again Maitland con-
suited his watch, commenting briefly:
I'm time"
Yet he reckoned without the ferry,
one of whose employees deliberately
and implacably swung to the gates in
the very face of the astonished cab
horse, which promptly rose upon Its
hind legs and paved the air with ges-
lures Of pardonable evaporation. To
no avail, however; the gates remained
closed, the cabby with language
reined his steed back a yard or two,
and Maitland, lighting cigarette,
composed himself to simulate patience.
Followed a wait of ten minutes or
so, in which number of vehicles
Joined company with the cab: the pas
senger was vaguely aware of the jar
ring purr of motor car, like that OF
some huge cat, in the immediate rear.
A circumstance which he had occasion
to recall ere long.
In the course of time the gates were
again opened The bridge cleared OF
incoming traffic. AS the cabby drove
aboard the boat, with nice considera-
ton selecting the. choicest stand Of
all, we'll out upon the forward deck,
a motor car slid in, humming, on the
right Of the hanson.
Maitland sat forward, resting his
forearns on the apron. and jerked his
cigarette out over the gates; the glow
ing stub described fiery arc and took