New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-02-02

world" who had posed as guardians of
girl whom they believed to be an heiress.
She was not as much of an heiress as they
thought, and when they discovered it a lit
tie unpleasantness had arisen which neces-
STATED services.
Suddenly the girl had disappeared, spirit
cd away into thin air, and Case No. 81 went
on file. Query: Could Pelham find the girl?
Well we babe him godspeed and he went
forth to meet the denizens of the under
world by appointment. We waited anxious
ly until closing time. Pelham did not APP
pear. We thought of sending out a search
ing party, but knew that it would be too
much of humiliation to his carefully
cherished dignity, so I discouraged that
plan.
About an hour after closing time Pelham
burst in. His expression resembled one
who had seen and conquered He beamed
upon us all, and waved his plump pink
hands Intellectually when we rose precipi-
lately and asked him to tell us all Ladies'.
ladies' he expostulated gently, zone at
time, and do stand in line. Ny story is
simple one, but I feel that l have sue
ceeded"
steered him into the inside Office and
shut the door in the face of q bowling mob
He fell into my best Office chair with
weary thud, wiped his perspiring rubicund
face, and gazed ruefully at his mauve spats.
stained and spotted beyond recognition.
Yes, he had seen them. He met them in
the Bowery, and they slouched up to him
with tweed caps pulled down over their eyes
and their hands in their pockets as if con-
ceallng weapons. These are Pelhar,'s
words, not mine. II was chubby with them"
ne chortled, lust as you told me TO be-
MISS thompson. l even went so far as to
suggest liquid refreshment while we had
our little talk. At this they took to me
Immediately, and we tried little beer for
, starter at a nearby saloon. At first thew
hung off, but piled them with a steady
stream of questions, mixed with an even
steadier stream of drinks, and pretty soon
one OF them hunched up his shoulders and
sald: We'll, pard, you're a game one I'll
give you the dope on the girl" Pelham
gazed dreamily into space. "You know.
Miss Thompson" he unused, otis wonderful
what real democratic spirit will do. No
sooner had l spoken to them than / gained
their confidence. They instinctively re-
sponded to my feeling of brotherly good
VIII. In their rough way they showed it.
too"
Just how did they show it, Mr.. Peel?"
We'll" he replied, while one of them
was giving me the address of the girl.
the other one, laughing uproariously.
slapped me on the shoulder, and then he
deliberately poured his beer on my spats.
1t was just his way of indicating that there
was no Ill feeling between us, and er-I-I
think they can be cleansed."
There was a moment of tragic silence
while he fearfully regarded the spats. After
a noble effort at selfcont / asked, in
as matter-of-fact tone as possible. "What is
the address, Mr.. Peel?" ooh, yes!" chortled
Pelham, II have it right here" He drew
forth q vellum- bound notebook, with gilt
edged leaves, from the inside pocket of his
fawn-colored waistcoat and spelled the ad-
dress out triumphantly with his usual care
full enunciation--it was the address of a
vacant lot.
Pelham took little vacation after that.
but he came back to US. We never disillu-
stoned him about his success, and he still
sticks to the mauve spats. He calls them
souvenir of his first successful case. We
let him stay with us. You see we figured
that he would save us the price of week
y vaudeville show and incidentally protect
us from the uplifters. He does.