Mrs. Grundy. (Tracy City, Tenn.) 1903-1930, 1911-03-02

who are your" demanded Orme.
"Why-the detective. of course"
"Detective?"
"Sure-.tgular force"
Regular force?"
The stranger pulled back his coat
and displayed his nlckeled star,
But what are you doing here?"
gasped Orme, amazed.
why. foreign fellow came to the
chief and said you wanted man to
keep an eye on your quarters tonight
and the chief sent me. | was doing
a bit-but I'm light sleeper wake
at the least noise.
Orme smiled reminiscently. think
ing of the snore. Tell me-" he said,
was 1t Senior Alcatrante who had you
sent?"
Il believe that was his name" He
was slowly regaining his seepbe-
numbed wits. That reminds me" he
continued. He gave me note for
you"
An envelope was produced from an
inside pocket. Orme took 1t and tore
1t open. The sheet within bore the
caption, office of the Chief of Po-
lice," and the few lines, written be-
meath in fine script, were as follows:
Dear Mr.. Orme: You will, am
sure, pardon my seeming overanxiety
for your safety, and the safety of
Poritol's treasure, but | cannot resist
using my influence to see that you
are well protected tonight by what
you In America call a plain-clothes
man | trust that he will frighten
away the yellow peril and permit you
to slumber undisturbed. If you do
not wish him inside your apartment,
he will sit in the hall outside your
door.
With all regard for your continued
good health, believe me, dear Mr..
Orme. Yours, etc, etc,
PEDRO ALCATRANTE.
In view of everything that had hap
pened since the note was penned,
Orme smiled grim smile. Alcatrante
and yet. considering that the minister
knew nothing Of Orme's encounter
with the Japanese and his meeting
with the girl, the sending of the de-
tective might naturally have been ex.
pected to pass as an impressive, but
friendly. precaution.
The detective was rapidly losing
his self-assurance. II had only been
asleep for moment" he said
"Yes?" Orme spoke indifferently.
We'll. you may go now. There is no
longer any need of you here"
But my Instructions"
Were given under a misapprehen-
sion. My return makes your presence
unnecessary. Goodnight or good
morning rather" He nodded toward
the door.
The detective hesitated. Look q
here!" he suddenly burst out. Il
never saw you before"
Nor l you," replied orme.
Then how do | know that you are
Mr.. Orme? You may be the very chap
was to keep out, far as l know"
Sure enough, may be-" said Orme
dryly. adding; But l am not. Now
60"
The detective narrowed his eye
brows mot without identification"
ASK the night clerk" exclaimed
Orme impatiently. Cant you see l
don't wish to be bothered any longer?"
He went over to the door and threw
it open.
Come" he continued We'll, here
then" as the detective did not move
-"Es.e's my card. That ought to do
vow"
He took a card from his pocket
case and offered 1t to the detective,
who, after scrutinizing it for a mo-
ment, let it fall to the floor
"Oh, it's all right, l guess" he said.
But what shall l say to the chief?"
Simply say that l didn't need you
any longer"
The detective picked up his hat and
went
udHh HedNeH. SACldluuou vi hS
as he closed the door But l wonder
why | didn't notice his hat. 1t was
lying here in plain sight"
He went to the telephone and spoke
to the clerk. Did you let that detect
i've into my apartment" he asked.
Why, yes, Mr.. Orme. He was one
of the regular force, and he said that
you wanted him here. | called up the
chiefs office, and the order was cor
roborated. | meant to tell you when
you came in, but you passed the desk
Just while | was down eating my sup
per. The elevator boy let you in,
didn't hep
Yes. Never mind, it's all right.
Good night"
But when Orme examined his travel
ing bag he found that some one had
evidently made a search through it.
Nothing had been taken, but the or
Derby arrangement of his effects had
been disturbed His conclusion was
that Alcatrante had bribed the fellow
to 20 much farther than official zeal
demanded. Doubtless the minister had
raid the detective to hunt for a
marked five-dollar bill and make
CODY of whatever was written on it