The Irish standard., 1908-10-31

/, "Go on, go on" he begged feeblz.
II"Don't let me stop you, Hickey. Don't,
please, let me spoA It all. Your Sher.
lock Holmes, Hickey, is one of the
finest characterizations have ever
witnessed. 1t is privilege not to be
uaderestimated to ne permitted to play
Rattles to you. But seriously, my dear
sleuth!" with an unhappy attempt to
wipe his eyes with hampered fists.
"don't you think you're wasting your
talents?"
By this time even the policeman
seemed doubtful. He glanced askance
at the detective and shufled uneasily.
AS for the cabby, who had clustered
in at first with intent to demand his
due in no uncertain terms, apparently
Maitland's bearing, coupled with the
inherent contempt and hatred of the
nighthawk tribe for the minions of the
law. had won his sympathies complete
ly. Lounging against a door.jamb,
quite at home, he genially puffed an
unspeakable cigarette and nodded ap-
probation Of Maitland's every other
word.
But Hickey--Hickey bristled bellig.
erently.
Fine" he declared, acidly; "fine
and dandy. take off my hat to yeh,
Dan Anisty. may be bad actor, all
right, but yeh got me beat at the
post"
Then turning to the policeman: II
got him right. Look here!" Drawing
a folded newspaper from his pocket,
he spread 1t open for the officers in
spection. "Yeh see them pictures?
Now, on the level, is 1t natural?"
The patrolman frowned doubtfully,
glacing from the paper to Maitland.
The cabby stretched a curious neck
Maitland groaned inwardly; he had
seen that infamous sheet.
'Now listen," the detective ex.
pounded with gusto "rwict to-day this
here Maitland, or Anisty, meets me.
Once on the stoop here, md he's Matt
land nd takes me to lunch-see? Next
time it's in Harlem, where I've been
sent with hot tip from the c'mmis-
s'ner's office to find Anisty. md he's
still Maitland nd surprised to see me.
I amt sure then, but I'm doin' some
heavy thinkin', all right. l let's him
go and shadows him. After while
he gives me the slip md chases down
here, waitin' for him to turn up. Com
ing down on the car buys this paper
md sees the pictures, and then I'm
on. See?"
"Uh-huh," grunted the patrolman,
scowling at Maitland. The cabby
caressed his nose with soiled fore
finger reflectively, plainly a bit pre-
JUDGED by Hickey's exposition.
zone minute" Maitland interjected,
eyes twinkling and lips twitching.
..How long ago was it that you began
to watch this house, sleuth?"
give minutes before yeh come,"
responded Hickey. ignoring the insult.
''Now-"
"Took you long time to figure this
out, didn't It? But go on, please"
"Well, picked the winner, all
right" flared the detective. II guess
that'll be about all for yours"
"Not quite" Maitland contradicted,
brusquely, wearying of the complica-
tion. "You say you met me on the
stoop here. At what o'clock?"
zone; nd yeh takes me to lunch at
Eugene's."
"Ah! When did leave you?"
II leaves yeh there at two"
well, O'Hagan will testify that he
14<k tn to,
gown and slippers, at about one At
four he found me on this divan, bound
and gagged, by courtesy of your friend,
Mr.. Anisty. Now, when was with you
in Harlem?"
eat seven o'clock, to the minute, yeh
comes"
"Never mind. At ten minutes to
seven took cab from here to the
Primordial club, where dined at
seven precisely"
"And what's more" interposed the
cabman, eagerly, Il took yer there,
sir"
THANK you. Furthermore, sleuth,
you say that you followed me around
town from seven o'clock until
Wnen!
81 said" stammered the plain.
clothes man, purple with confusion.
'No matter. I didn't leave the
Primordial until quarter to eleven.
But all this aside, as I understand it,
you are asserting that. having given
you all this trouble today, and know.
ing that you we're after me, deliber.
ately hoped into cab Is minutes
ago, came up Fifth avenue at such
breakneck speed that this officer
thought 1t was runaway, and finally
Jumped out and ran upstairs here to
fire revolver three times, for no pur
pose whatsoever beyond bringing you
gentlemen about my ears?"
Hickey's jaw sagged. The cabby os
tentatiously covered his mouth with q
huge red paw and made choking
noises.
"Pass 1t up. sarge, pass 1t up" he
whispered, hoarsely.
"Shut yer trap" snapped the de
tective. Il know what I'm doin' This