CHAPTER XVII.

NEAR TO DEATH.

The Irishwoman had come up behind Hal so softly--she wore rubbers--that the youth did not hear her, and he was, therefore, thoroughly startled when she made the exclamation quoted at the end of the preceding chapter.

Ferris and Macklin jumped to their feet and both rushed out in the hall.

"What's the row, Mary?" cried the latter.

"Sure an' that's phot Oi want to know," replied the woman. "Oi found this fellow pakin' in the kay-hole of your dure, so Oi did."

"It's Hal Carson!" exclaimed Ferris. "So this is the way you followed me, eh?" he continued.

"Who is Hal Carson?" asked Macklin, grasping the youth by the arm.

"Old Sumner's new clerk and office boy," replied Ferris. "Don't let him get away."

Macklin gave a whistle.

"Dat's kinder serious, if he follered yer here. Wot have yer got ter say fer yerself?" he demanded, turning to Hal.

"Let go of my arm," returned Hal. "Are you the only one who lives in this building?"

"No."

"Then I presume I have a right to enter the hall-way, haven't I?"

"That won't wash, Carson!" exclaimed Ferris. "You are doing nothing but following me, and you know it."

"Just you step inside, do you hear?" commanded Macklin. "That's all right, Mary, I'll take care o' him," he added to the woman.

"Oi wondher if he was up in me apartment," she said, suspiciously. "Oi'll go up an' see if there is anything missing."

The woman departed, and Macklin tried to shove Hal into the room.

Answer the following questions:
1. Who did Mary come up on?
2. Did she surprise him?
3. How?
4. What was he doing?
5. Whose door?
6. Who knew Hal?
7. What did he think he was doing?
8. Where did Mary go?
9. To do what?
10. What happened after she left?
11. Where?
12. Who was Hal?
1. Hal
2. Yes.
3. She came up behind him
4. pakin' in the kay-hole of your dure
5. Ferris and Macklin
6. Ferris.
7. following him
8. Her apartment
9. See if there is anything missing.
10. Macklin tried to shove Hal
11. The room.
12. Old Sumner's new clerk and office boy,