The Columbus journal., 1911-03-15
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lights The man opened his eyes and
started from the chair
who are you?" demanded Orme.
"Why-the detective, of course"
"Detective?"
"Sure-regular force"
| Regular force?"
The stranger pulled back his coat
and displayed his nickeled star.
But what are you doing here?''
gasped Orme. amazed.
Why, a foreign fellow came to the
chief and said you wanted a man to
keep an eye on your quarters tonight
and the chief sent me. ! was doing
bit-but I'm light sleeper. l wake
at the least noise
Orme smiled reminiscently. think
ing of the snore Tell me-" he said,
was it Senior AlcatraIte who had you
sent?"
Il believe that was his name" He
was slowly regaining his sleep-be-
numbed wits. THAT reminds me-" he
continued. He gave me a note for
you"
An envelope was produced from an
inside pocket. Orme took IT and tore
it open. The sheet within bore the
caption, office of the Chief of Pc
lice" and the few lines, written be-
meath in fine script. were as follows:
Dear Mr.. Orme: You will. l am
sure. pardon my seeming overanXiety
for your safety, and the safety of
using my influence to see that you
are well protected tonight by what
you in America call a plain-clothes
man. l 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
must have been very anxious indeed;
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. pfecautiOn.
The detective was rapidly losing
his self-assurance. Il had only been
asleep for a moment" he said.
"Yes?" Orme spoke indifferently.
We'll. you may 60 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 a
here!" he suddenly burst out. Il
never saw you before
Nor 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
go"
The detective narrowed his eye
brows Not without Identification"
ASK the night clerk" exclaimed
Orme impatieatly. Cant you see 1
don't wish to be bothered any lonSer?"
He went over to the door and threw
it open.
Come" he continued. We'll, here
then-as the detective did not move
my card. That ought to do
YOU"
He took a card from his pocket |
case and offered it to the detective.
who. after scrutinizing it for a mo-
ment. let it fall to the floor
oh. it's all right. 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.
Thank heaven!" exclaimed Orme |
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 l called up the
chiefs Office. and the order was cor
roborated. l meant to tell you when |
You came in, but you passed the desk |
just while l was down eating my sup
per. The elevator boy let you in.
didn't he?"
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 go much farther than official zeal
demanded. Doubtless the minister had
paid the detective to hunt for q
marked five-dollar bill and make a
copy Of whatever was written ON it
which would have hee1 quite q safe
proceeding for the detective. If he
were not caught at the task. A sub
tie man. Alcatrante: but 10 subtier
than the japanese.
DiS,.iSSirg the incident fro-n hss