The Yale expositor., 1911-01-06
M GIRL
muue BII |

started from the cnalr.
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. 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
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 it Senior Alcatrante 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 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
Poritols 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. l trust that he will brighten
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. precaution.
The detective was rapidly losing
his self-assurance. 81 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 misapprehen-
sion. My return makes your presence
unnecessary. Goodnight or good
morning rather" He nodded toward
the door
The detective hesitated. Look
here!" he suddenly burst out. Il
never saw you before"
Nor you replied Orme.
Then how do i 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 Not without Identification"
ASK the night clerk" exclaimed
Orme impatiently. Cant you see
don't wish to be bothered any longer?"
He went over to the door ard threw
it open.
Come" he continued. We'll, here
then'--as the detective did not move
there's my card. That ought to do
YOU
He took a card from his pocket
case and offered it TO the detective,
who. after scrutinizing 1t for a mo-
ment, let it fall to the floor.
"Oh, it's all right, guess" he said.
But what shall | say to the chief"
simply say that | didn't need you
any longer"
The detective picked up his hat and
went.
Thank heaven!" exclaimed Orme
as he closed the door but | 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 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 1t.
Nothing had been taken, but the or
derby arrangement of his effects had
Deen 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 a
marked five-dollar bill and make a
4 conv Of whatever was written on it,