The Brownsville daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1897-1910, 1909-08-14


sob in her throat, and she hung her
head again
Not a word ordered Maitland.
"Sit here for a few minutes. If you
can, drink the water and-ah--fix up
your hat, you know" damn Hickey!
Why the devil did the fellow insist on
hanging round SOD "and viii go and
make arrangements"
"Th-thank you" whispered the small
voice shakily.
Maitland hesitated moment, then
turned upon Hickey In sudden exas-
peration. His manner was enough;
even the obtuse detective could net
ignore It. Maitland had no need to
speak.
I'm sorry, SIR he said, standing
his ground manfully but with a trace
more of respect in his manner than
had heretofore characterized it, but
there's uh gentleman-uh-your fren'
Bannerman's outside md wants tub
speak tub yeh."
Tel him to-"
Excuse me. He says he's gottuh
see yeh. If yeh don't come out, he'll
come after yeh. I thought yeh d
ruther-"
That's kindly thought Of" Matt
land relented. I'll be there in a min
ute" he added, meaningly.
Hickey took an impassive face to
the doorway, where, whether or not
with design, he stood precisely upon
the threshold. filling 1t with his burIy
shoulders. Maitland bent again over
the girl, and took her hand.
Dearest" he said, gently. please
don't run away from me again"
Her eyes were brimming, and he
read his answer in them. Quickly-it
was no time to harry her emotions
further; but so much he had felt he
must say-he brushed her hand with
his lips and joined Hickey. Thrust
Ing the detective gently into the outer
room, with not unfriendly hand
upon his shoulder, Maitland closed the
door.
Now. see here" he said quietly and
firmly. you must help me arrange to
get this lady away without her becom-
ing identified with the case. Hickey,
I'm in position to say good word
for you in the right place; she had
positively nothing to do with Anisty,"
(this, SO far as he could tell, was as
black lie as he had ever manufac-
tured under the lash of necessity,
"and-theres a wad in it for the boys
who help me out"
We'll !" The detective shift
ed from one foot to the other, eying
him intently. Il guess we can fix it
freight elevator nd side entrance
Yeh have the cab waitin', nd"
'Tll go with the lady, you under
stand, and assume all responsibility.
You can come round at your con-
venience and arrange the details with
me, at my rooms, since you will be so
kind"
4 dunno" Hickey licked his lips.
watching with somber eye the prep
arations being made for the removal
of Anisty's body. I'D We give farm
if could we caught that son of a gun
alive" he added at apparent random.
and vindictively. "Al right Yeh be
responsible for tn lady, if she's want
ed, will yeh?"
Positively"
81 gottuh have her name nd add
ress."
is that essential?"
Sure Gottuh protect myself n
case anythin' turns up. Yeh oughttuh
to know that"
"I-don't want it to come out" Matt
land hesitated. trying to invent a
plausible lie.
Well. any one can see how you feel
about It."
Maitland drew a long breath and
anticipated rashly It's Mrs Matt
land" he told the man with tremof
Hickey nodded, unimpressed. "Uh-
huh l knowed that all along" he
replied. But seem as yeh didn't want
It talked about - And, appaft
emily needless OF Maitland's startled
and suspicious stare: IF yeh're goin'
10 See yer ISu yen DclISI get
wiggle on. He won't last long"
who? Bannerman? What the
deuce do you mean?"
He's the Teller plugged in the
elevator, that's all. Put hole through
his lungs They took him into an Of
fee on the twenty-first floor. right
opp'site the shaft"
But what in Heavens name has
he to do with this CHASTITY mess?"
Hickey turned a shrewd eye upon
Maitland 81 guess he can tell yeh
hetter'n me"
With a smothered exclamation,
Maitland hurried away, still incredu-
lous and impressed with a belief, firm
er with every minute, that the wound
ed man had been wrongly identified
He found him as Hickey had said
he would, sobbing out his life, supine
upon the couch of an Office which the
ianitor had opened to afford him a
place to die in. Maitland had to force
a way through a crowded doorway,