The Irish standard., 1909-01-30

ueIteI IHe eVlueHI quality OF the gem
tlewoman before him.
you may be mixed up in peniten.
tiary offense, my man." she said, plac.
idly. 1T is case Of kidnapping. Where
did you leave that boy who was in the
cab? If you give us information that
will find him. there's Ave dollars; IL
you fool us-well, I have your number.
Where did you leave the boy?"
"Why, there was a cop with i'm
cop and gentleman. Amt you got
hold Of the wrong party, Lady,"
"a brown-haired boy in gray suit
with blue cravat-you know he was
in your cab. And how do you know II
was real policeman"
COR he wasn't helping on the dew.
iltry if.it was?" sneered the chauffeur,
who had now become full-fedged
partisan. "Ain't you lived in this burg
long enough to find out how to make.
a little mazuma on the side? You're
too good for Frisco. Heaven is your
home, my Christian friend"
"Cnt IT. out" retorted the man. II
guess I know how to find my way
round as we'll as the next man"
Certainly you do" soothed Mrs.
Winter, who was lingering crisp new
f1ve-dollar bank note, land you are no
kidnaper. either; you made no bar
gain with those men,"
Sure didn't" agreed the hackman,
nor 7 amt standin' for KIDNAPPING,
neither. Why, I got kids of my own,
and my woman she'd broom me outer
the house if was to do them games.
Say I'll tell you all knows. They
got OF, them three. at that there cor.
ner, and I was to drive fast s could
three blocks ahead and then git home
any old way. And that's Gods truth.
l."
"You didn't see where they wente"
Mrs. Winter was quietly insistent.
mo. didn't. T guess 7 was a dumb
fool not ter notice, but they paid me
we'll, and I'd a bad thirst, and was
hiking to place know for beer; and
that's"
Did the hoy seem willing?"
"He didn't do no kicking as I seen"
A few more questions revealed that
the man had unpacked his full kit of
Information. He had never seen eth
or Of the men before. The gentleman
yes, he was sure he was gentle-
man: he wasn't no swell confidence
guy; he was the regular thing-gentle-
man engaged him to take a. party to
the Chinese quarter: he'd tell where
to stop: didn't need a. guide: only
wanted to make a. few purchases, he
was; yes. maam that was all: only
down there on Market street. or may.
he--why. somewhere near by-he
stuck his head ont and told him to
turn the corner, and then he kept tell.
ing him to turn corners. until finally
he told him to stop and they got out
Mrs. Winter gave the man the bank
note. counseling him to keep his eyes
open for the two men and the boy.
and to report to her at the Palace no.
tel. giving his number, should he see
either man or boy. 1t would be very
we'll worth his while.
The chauffeur did not interrupt, but
he shook his head over the departing
hack. He'd ought to have known 1t
want on the square, but these hack
drivers amt got good sense even when
they're. so to speak, sober. which amt
often" he soliloquized. 'Well, lady, II
they've took to the Chinese quarter.
we'd better be looking up Chink to
help us. guess. I know fairly de-
cent one"
~ think 7 know a. better" inteN
rupted Mrs. Winter, with faint smile.
She had detected suppressed pity
In the mans regard. Motor slowly
along tho street. There is shop. If
I can find 1t. where there ought to be
a man"
Man yon know? Say, lady, I guess
I better 60 in with you, II you don't
mind"
mo; stay In your car. You don't
know how safe 7 am. Not only my
gray hair protects me. but / have
only to say few words and any Of
these men will fight for me II neces-
sary. But this is in confldence-just
between us, you understand. You arc
not to repeat It, ever"
She looked at him with frank
smile, and involuntarily his hand went
up to his cap. what you say goes,
lady. But jest remember I'm right
here, spark going all the time. ready
to throw her wide open when you step
in; and"-his voice sank-"I amt alb.
solutely unprepared for scrap,
either
Il understand" said she, looking at
him keenly. and few moments later
she stepped briskly into the shop be-
fore which he halted with little light.
ening of the heart because of this I'M
couth knight of the lever. The shop
itself was like any one Of a score on
the street, crowded with oriental oh.
jects, bizarre carvings of ivory and
Jade, daggers and strings of cash,
swords, gorgeous embroidered robes
of silk and gold in huddle over q
counter or swinging and cleaning in
the dusky background, squat little
green and brown gods with puffy eye.
lids, smiling inscrutably amid shoes