The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1908-09-26
CHAPTER vi.
Euoene'S at Two.

CHAPTER vi.
Eugene's at Two.
Since we don't want to be over
heard" remarked Mr.. Anisty, its no
use trying the grillroom downstairs, al
though l admit it is more interesting"
Just as yeh say, SIR
Awed and awkward, the police de-
tective stumbled up the steps behind
his imperturbable guide; it was a
great honor, in his eyes, to lunch in
company with Swell" Man Of
stodgy common sense and limited edu-
cation that he was, the glamour of
the Maitland millions obscured his
otherwise clear vision completely. And
uneasily he speculated as to whether
or not he would be able to manipulate
correctly the usual display of knives
and forks.
An obsequious headwaiter greeted
them, bowling, in the lobby. Good aft
ernoon, Mr.. Maitland" he murmured.
Table for two?'
Good afternoon" responded the
masquerader, with an assumed alb.
straction, inwardly congratulating
himself upon having hit upon res
taurant where the real Maitland was
evidently known. There were few cir
cumstances which he could not turn
to profit, fewer emergencies to which
he could not rise, he complimented
Handsome Dan Anisty.
"A table for two," he drawled Matt.
land-wise. I'm corner somewhere,
away from the crowd, you know"
"This way, IL you please, Mr.. Matt
land."f
by the way" suggested the burg
lar, unfolding his serviette and CLAN
cling keenly about the room-which
by good chance was thinly populated,
"by the way, you know, you haven't
told me your name yet"
"Hickey-John w. Hickey, detective
bureau"
Thank you" A languid hand
pushed the pink menu card across the
table to Mr. Hickey. "And what do
you see that you'd like?"
We'll :" Hickey became con-
scious that both unwieldy feet were
nervously twined about the legs of his
chair; blushed; disentangled them;
and in an attempt to cover his con-
fusion, plunged madly into considera-
ton OF column Of table-d'hoto
French, not one word of which con.
veyed the slightest particle Of informa.
ton to his intelligence.
WELL" he repeated, and moistened
his lips. The room seemed suddenly
very hot, Notwithstanding the fact that
an obnoxious electric fan was sending
current of cool air down the back
Of his neck.
u amt" he declared in ultimate
desperation, hungry, much. Had a
bite little while back, over to the
Gilsey house bar"
Would little drink"
Thanks. l don't mind"
Waiter, bring Mr.. Hickey a bottle
of No. u. For me-let me see-cafe
au lait," with grand air, "and rolls.
You must remember this is nv
breakfast, Mr. Hickey. make it a
rule never to drink anything for six
hours after rising" Anisty selected a
cigarette from the Maitland case. lit
1t, and contemplated the detectives
countenance with winning smile.
Now, as to this Anisty affair last
night"
Under the stimulus Of the cham.
payne, to say naught Of his relief at
having evaded the ordeal of the cut.
lery, Hickey discoursed variously and
a. length upon the engrossing subject
OF Anisty, gentleman-cracksman while
the genial counterpart of Daniel Matt.
land listened with apparent but decep.
tive apathy. and had much ado to keep
from laughing in his guests face as
the latter, perspiringly earnest, un-
folded his plans for laying the burg
lar by the heels.
From time to time, and at inter.
walls steadily decreasing, the hand of
the host sought the neck of the bottle.
inclining 1t carefully above the thin.
stemmed glass that Hickey kept in al
most constant motion. And the de.
tective's fatuous loquacity flowed as
the contents Of the bottle ebbed.
Yet, as the minutes wore on, the
burglar began to be conscious that it
was but shallow Well of information
and amusement that he pumped. The
game, fascinating with its spice of
daring as it had primarily been, began
to pail. At length the masquerader
calculated the hour as ripe for what
he had contemplated from the begin.
ming; and interrupted Hickey with