The Red Cloud chief. [volume] (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923, 1909-09-23


| followed.
Poor little woman, What had she
iot suffered, what perils had she not
| Dravcd, TO prove that there was honor
'Ven i'm thieves II could have been
| ~ no inCOnsiderablc dangcr--a dan.
! ger not incOmmensurate with that of
Obbing tigrcss of her whelps--that
he had managed to fitch his loot from
| hat pertinaciOus and vindictive soul.
| Anisty!
But she had accomplished it; and
all for him.
| II only he could find her. now.
| There was clew to his hand in that
bag, of course, but by this act she
| forever removed from him the right
| 20 investigate that.
If he could only find that cabby.
| Perhaps If he tried at the Madison
| square rank, Immediately
| Besides, it was clearly his duty not
| 20 remain in the fiat alone with the
| Jewels another night. There was but
| one attanable place of safety for
them, and that the safe of reputable
| hotel. He would return to the Bar.
tholdi at once, merely pausing on his
| way to inquire of the cabmen If they
could send their brother.nighthawk to
| him
Maitland shook himself into his top.
2oat, damned hat upon head. dropped
| the Jewels into one pocket, the ciga.
| rette case into another, and-on I'M
| pulse-Anisty's revolver, with its two
| uneXplOded cartridges, into a third,
and pressed the call button for Ola
gan, not waiting, however, for that
worthy TO climb the stair, but meeting
him in the entry hall.
I'm going back to the Bartholdi,
O'Hagan, for the night. You may bring
| me my letters and any messages in the
morning. | should like you to sleep in
| he fiat tonight and answer any tele.
| phone calls"
"Yiss, Misther Maitland, sor"
Have the police gone OHagan?'
There's a whole bottle full yet sor."
You've not been drinking, trust?"
The lrishman shufiled. "Shure. sor,
an wud that be hosphitible?"
Laughing. Maitland babe him good
night and left the house, turning west
to gain Fifth avenue. walking slowly
because he was little tired. and en-.
joying the rather unusual experience
of being abroad at that hour without
company. The sky seemed cleaner
than ordinarily, the city quieter than
ever he had known it, and I'm the air
was sweet smell, reminiscent OF the
country sidc-reninding one unhappi.
ly of the previous night when one had
gone whistling to ones destiny along
perfumed country road.
Good 'eavings, Mister Maitland, sir.
1t carn't be YOU"
Maitland looked up, bewildered for
the instant. The voice that hailed him
out of the sky was not unfamiliar
cab that he had waited on the
corner to let pass, was refined back
suddenly. The driver leaned down
from the box and in a thunderstrucll
tone advertised his stupefaction.
1T aren't in nature, sir--if yerll
pardon my mentionin' it. But ere |
leaves you not ten minutes ago at the
st. Luke building and finds yer ere,
when you 'avent 'ad time"
Maitland woke up. What's that?''
he questioned, sharply. You left me
where ten minutes"
"St. Luke buildn', corner Broadway
an"
Il know It," excited, but"
"-'avin' took yer there with the
young lady"
Young LADY,"
that comes outer the ouse with
yer, sir"
The devil" Maitland hesitated no
longer; his foot was on the step as he
spoke. Drive me there at once, and
drive for all you're worth" he cried
IF there's an ounce of speed in that
| plug Of yours and you don't get il
| out"
Never fear, sir Well make it in
five minutes"
"lt'll be worth your while"
"RightO!"
Maitland dropped into his seat
dumfounded. Good Lord" he wills
pered; and then, savagely: In the
power of that infamous scoundrel-!'
And felt of the revolver in his pocket
The cab had been headed north; the
st. Luke rears its massive bulk south
OF Twenty,secOnd street. The driver
eXpertly swung his vehicle almost on
dead center. simultaneously it ca
reened with the impact of heavy
bulk landing upon the step and falling
in heap on the deck.
my word, what's that?" came from
aloft, Maitland was altogether toe
startled to speak.
The heap sat up, resolving itself
into the semblance Of a man; who
spoke in decisive tones:
IF yoh're gOin' there, I'm goin' with
yeh, r yeh don't go-see?" :
"The sleuth," gasped Maitland, as
founded.
ITO RI CnNTINIrLrnA