Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-31
XI.-Continued.

| XI.-Continued.
"Dear Mr. Maitland. he read aloud.
'''As you will probably surmise, my mo-
| tive in thus restoring to you portion or
your property Is not altogether uninf1u-
euced by personal and selfish considera-
tions. In brief, wish to discover whether
or not you are to be at home tonight. II
not. shall take pleasure in calling; II
| the contrary, I shall feel that in justice
| to myself must forego the pleasure OF
| improving an acquaintance begun under
auspices so unfavorable. In either case.
permit me to thank you for the use OF
your wardrobe-which. quantity enough,
has outlived its usefulness to me-a rat
headed detective named Hickey Will tell
you why-and to extend to you express
sion Of my highest consideration Believe
me. I am enviously yours. Daniel Anisty'
signed added Hickey. mechanically.
his face working.
By way of reply, but ungraciousiy. the
detective stepped forward and unlocked
the handouts.
Maitland stood erect. smiling. Thank
you very much sleuth. 1 shan't forget
you .. O'Hagan," tossing the janitor
the keys from his desk. you IL find some
-ah-lemon pop and root beer In the
buffet. This officer and his friends will
no doubt join you in friendly drink
you. I" =" Good morning. gentlemen Good
morning. sleuth.''
And he showed them the door. II
shall be at your service, officer" he called
tomorrow morning. II not here. O'Hagan
will tell you where to find me. And.
O'Hagan.' The janitor fell back. Keep
them at least an hour" Maitland told
The Irishman pledged his discretion by
silent look. Maitland turned back to
the cabby.
"You did me a good turn just now" he
began.
Don't mention it, sir; I've carried you
hoften before this evenin', and-excuse
my sayin' SOL never 'ad a fare as tipped
| 'andsomer.' It's a real pleasure. sir. to
be of service
Thank YOU" returned Maitland, eying
him in speculative wise. II wonder"
The man was a rough. burly English
man of one Of the most. intelligent. II not
| intellectual, kind: the British cabby, as
type, has few superiors for sheer quick
ness Of wit and understanding. This man
had been sharpened and tempered by his
contact with American conditions His
eyes were shrewd. his face honest If
weather-beaten. his attitude respectful.
Maitland decided, "if you are at liberty
and-discreet?" The final word was
question. flung over his shoulder as he
turned toward the escritoire.
YES SIR said the man. thoughtfully.
II allus can drive. sir. even when I'm
drinkin' 'ardest and can't see nothink."
Yes? You've been drinking tonight"
Maitland smiled quietly. standing at the
small writing desk and extra citing roll
of bills from concealed drawer.
I'm fair blind. SIR
Every we'll" Maitland turned and ex-
tended his hand and despite his professed
affiiction. the cabby's eyes bulged as he
appreciated the size of the bill.
MY world" he gAsped, stowing it
away in the cavernous depths Of a trous-
ers pocket.
you will wait outside" said Maitland.
until 1 come out or-or send somebody
for you, to take wherever directed. Oh
that's all right-not another word!
The door closed behind the overwhelmed
nighthawk and the latch clicked loudly.
For space Maitland stood In the hall
way. troubled. apprehensive, heart
strangely oppressed, vision clouded by the
memory Of the girl as he had seen her
only a few minutes since-as she had
stood beneath the chandelier. after acting
upon her primary clear-headed impulse to
give her rescuer the aid Of the light.
He seemd to recall very clearly her
slight figure, swaying. a-quiver with
fright and solicitude-care for him!-her
face. sensitive and sweet beneath its
rudy crown Of hair, that Of a child
waxing ITOul cVll OIedLl6, ucI eyes CcCh.
Ing his with their dumb message of ap-
peal and Of . He dared not name what
else.
Forlorn. pitiful. little figure! Odd it
seemed that he should fear to face her
again. alone; that he should linger re-
luctant to cross the threshold Of his
study, mistrustful and afraid alike of
himself and Of her-a thief.
For what should he say to her. other
than the words that voiced the hunger of
n 10 hoe NJ OF ~ no an0kQ . words
such as those toto thief what
would be the end of it all?
What did it matter? Surely he, who
knew the world wherein he lived and
moved and had his being. knew bitter
we'll the worth of its verdicts. The world
might go hang, for all he cared. At
least his life was his own. whether to
make or to mar. and he had not to an
gates of darkness And II by any act of
his the world should be given q man
and a woman in exchange for a thief and
an idler perhaps in the final reckoning
his life might not be accounted altogether
He set back his shoulders and inspired
deeply, eyes tightening, and stepped into
the study. resolved:
Miss" he called. huskily. and stop
ped, reminded that not yet did he even
know her name.
1T is safe now" he amended. more
clearly and steadily, Ito come out, II you
WILL"
He heard no response. The long gleam-
ing folds of the portieres hung motionless.
Still. a sharp and staccato clatter Of hoofs
that had risen in the street might have
drowned her voice.
IF you please" he said again.
loudly.
The silence sang sibilant in his ears.
and he grew conscious of a sense of anx-
iety and fear sitting in its intensity.
At length striding forward. with swift
gesture he flung the hangings aside.