AGAINST ODDS by LAWRENCE L. LYNCH

8/2/2019 AGAINST ODDS by LAWRENCE L. LYNCH

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AGAINSTODDS

ADetectiveStory

BY

LAWRENCEL.LYNCH(E.MURDOCHVANDEVENTER),

AUTHOROF

'SHADOWEDBYTHREE,''ASLENDERCLUE,''ADEADMAN'SSTEP,''MOINA,'ETC.

*****

CONTENTS.

CHAPTERPAGE

I.'CHICARGOGITSMYMONEY'1

II.'ITOLDMYTALEOFWOE'12

III.ACONUNDRUM25

IV.'ICAN'TMAKEMYSELFLIKEHIM'35

V.'IT'SALLAMIRACLE'44

VI.'ACRIMINALHUNT'54

VII.'ITWASGREENBACKBOB'63

VIII.'STRAIGHTFROMTHESHOULDER'75

IX.INDISGUISE82

X.CARLMASTERS92

XI.'IDISLIKEAMYSTERY'101

XII.'MOREDANGEROUSTHANHATE'111

XIII.FACETOFACEWITHDELBRAS122

XIV.MISSING--CARTEBLANCHE131

XV.THEKINGOFCONFIDENCEMEN142

XVI.THATLITTLEDECOY150


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XVII.'THOSETWOWOMEN'155

XVIII.'IFYOU'LLFINDONE,I'LLFINDTHEOTHER'166

XIX.'STRANGE!MISTAKEN!HEARTLESS!'172

XX.'WEMUSTUNDERSTANDEACHOTHER'178

XXI.'LETMELAUGH!'191

XXII.'THEREISDANGER--NEAR!'202

XXIII.'YOUARESUFFERINGINMYSTEAD'215

XXIV.'ITISOURFIRSTCLUE'222

XXV.'IT'SASNARE'228

XXVI.ACOLUMBIANGUARD234

XXVII.'I'DSWEARTOTHEMHANDSANYWHERE'238

XXVIII.'NOWDOWN!'249

XXIX.'FIRE!FIRE!FIRE!'257

XXX.'ITSHALLNOTBEALLSUSPENSE'263

XXXI.SIRCARROLLRAE267

XXXII.FOUNDDEAD272

XXXIII.'AMERCYFULDISPENSAYSHUN'281

XXXIV.'EUREKA!'293

XXXV.AFTERALL302

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AGAINSTODDS:

ADETECTIVESTORYOFTHEWORLD'SFAIR

CHAPTERI.

'CHICARGOGITSMYMONEY.'

'Eure a!'

ItwasI,CarlMasters,ofthesecretservice,socalled,whoutteredthisexclamation,althoughnotapersonoftheexclamatoryschool;andsmallwonder,forIwasstandingbeneaththedomeoftheAdministrationBuilding,andIhadbutthathourarrivedattheWorld'sFair.


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Iwasnotthereasasight-seer,notonpleasurebent,andeventhosefirstmomentsofarrival,I newwell,werenottobewasted.

IhadcomehitherstraightfromtheTerminalStation,see ingthisstately eystonetothegreatFair,nottosteepmysensesandfillmyeyeswithbeautyinmyriadforms,buttosee outthegreatmanwhosemasterfulhandwastocreateformethepassportwhichwastobemy'opensesame'toallwithinthisfairWhiteCity'swalls;butwhenIstoodbeneaththatloftydoubledomeandloo edaboutme,Iforgotallbutthebeautyallaround,andgazeduponthenoblerotundathroughthewesternentrance,where'Earth,'majesticbutuntamed,amasterpieceofgiantstatuary,guardsonemassivepillar;andthesame'Earth,'yetnotthesame,conqueredyetconquering,addsherbeautytothestrengthofthecolumnopposite--totheeast,whereNeptunesports,classicasofold,aroundabouttheoctagonalinteriorwithitssplendidarches,itsfrescoesandgilding,itsmedallionsandplatesofbronze,whereingleamed,goldenandfair,thenamesoftheworld'sgreatestcountriesatitsgildedpanels,supportedbywingedfigures,andbearingengravenuponeachshiningsurfacetherecordofsomegreatevent.Itsmedallionsandgracefulgroups,allegoricalorsymbolic,allmountinghigh,andhigher,untililluminatedbytheopal-li ecircleoflightatthesummit,Dodge'sgreatpicturecrownsthewhole,withitscirclingprocessionofartsandsciences,godsand

muses,nymphsandgraces,andApollosradiantinthemidst.Smallwonderthat,forgettingallbutthescenebeforeme,mylipsshotoutthesingleword'Eure a!'andsmallerwonderthat,havingventedmyadmirationinsound,Ibecameawareofthefactatonce,andrememberednotonlywhoIwas,butwhatIwas,andwhyIwasthere.

Itwasscarcelytena.m.,buttherewerepeopleallaboutme,andmyexclamationcausedmorethanoneeye,inquiring,amused,cynical,orsimplystupid,toturntowardmewhereIstood,nearthecentreofthegreatrotunda.

'Bigthing,ain'tit?'

Iturnedmyhead,alittlerattledatthenoticeIhadthusbroughtuponmyself,andsawstandingclosebesidemeamanwhosegarb,nolessthanhisnasalutterance,proclaimedhimaYan ee,andasonofthesoil.Ihadseenhimuponmyentrance,standingbeneaththedome,withhisheadthrownbac atapainfulangleinanefforttoreadoneofthebrazenplatesabovehim,onehandtightlygraspingahalf-inflatedumbrella--longpastitspalmydays--andtheotherfiercelygrippedaboutthehandleofashawl-strapdrawntightaroundahandlelessbas et,bynomeanssmall,andbristlingatthetopwith

nobbyprotuberanceswhichtoldbuttooplainlyoftheluncheonunderthepictorialnewspapertieddownwithabundantlashingsofblue'Sha er'yarn.

'Bigthing,indeed!'Evidentlymyburstofenthusiasmhadbroughtuponmethisoverture,nodoubtmeanttopavethewaytofurtherconversation;andIanswered,afterasinglequic glanceatmyneighbour,asblandlyasAhSinhimself.

'Yes,sir,'resumedtheman,withabris nod,'it'sabigthing!When'twasfirsttal edupIwasagooddealsotonhavin'itinNooYorState.I'dbeenthere,yesee,twentyyearsagoonmyweddin'trip;Iwaslivin'inPennsylvanythen.But,Lor!NooYor couldn't'a'done


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thishere!No,sir,shecouldn't.Chicargogitsmymoney--notthatI'vegotmuchonit,'withanervousstartandashruggingmovementasifheweretryingtodrawinhispoc etsandobliteratealltracesofthem.'Idon'tneverbelieveincarryin'moneytosechplaces.'Then,asifanxioustogetawayfromadangeroussubject,heas ed,'Beenherelong,stranger?'

'Abouthalfanhour.'

'M--um!I'vedonebetterthanthat;beenheretwohullhours.ComeinononeofthemVillageGrovecablecars,andcomeplumthroughMiddlewayPleasants.M--um!butthey'resome,themfurrenfellers;onlyitseemstometheyain'tnoneedofsomanyofthemniggersofallshades,dressedupli eCallathumpiansonFourthofJuly,andstandin'roundineverybody'sway.'

Iwasnottheretoimpartinformation,andIletthehonestsoulbabbleon.Hehadbrawnyshouldersandaningenuousface,butIfeltsurehehadbroughtwithhimmoremoneythanwaswiseorneedful,andthathewouldcometogriefifhecontinuedtodenythepossessionofmoney,withhistell-talefaceflatlycontradictinghiswords.

ButIwasnowrecalledtomyselfandmyownaffairs;anddroppingafewpolitelymeaninglesswords,Ileftmyfirstacquaintanceandmade

mywaytowardthepavilionatthecorner,whereIhadbeentoldIshouldfindthe'maninauthority'whomIsought.

Puttingmyquestiontoaguardintheante-room,Iwastoldthatthemaninauthoritywasabsent--wouldbeabsenttwohours,perhaps;and,notmuchlothtopassalittletimeinthatsplendidrotunda,stoodgazingaboutthebeautifulCourtofHonour,withitsfountains,statues,glitteringandfairfaades,ripplinglagoons,andsnowyandsuperbperistyle,statue-crownedandgleaming,withblueLa eMichigan,sun- issedandbreeze-tossed,stretchingawaytothehorizoninpulsatingperspective.

Fairerthananydreamitloo edthatfairMayday,withJustice,

goldenandglorious,risingfromoutthewaves,splendidasasungoddess,anddominatingalltherest.

AsIturnedaway,havingloo edandloo edagain,IsawmyfirstWhiteCityacquaintanceseateduponasettleintheshadowofoneofthemammotharches,hisbas etbetweenhis neesandhisumbrellabetweenhistwoclaspedhands.Hewastal ingjustasamiablyandfran lyasbefore,andthistimehehadforaudienceadappermanwithathinfacethatmighthavebeenoldoryoung,andwhichIdisli edatsight.Hewasexceedinglywelldressed;heloo edveryrespectable,buthealsoloo edsmugandsophisticated--toosophisticated,Ithought,tobereallysowellentertainedasheseemedtobewithmyrusticfriend'sconfidences.

ForafewmomentsIwatchedthetwo,totheexclusionofthegoldenJustice,theperistyle,everything;andthen,thesettlebeinglong,andthetwobeingitssoleoccupants,Imovedaround,goinginandoutunobservedamongthecrowd,andseatedmyselfupontheendofthebench,unseenbymyfriend,whosatwithhisbroadshouldersandbacsquarelytowardme,andaffordinganamplescreenbetweenmyselfandhiscompanion.

IhavewonderedsincejustwhatactuatedmetodowhatIdid;butI


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onlyrecallnowavagueremembranceofasmallblac boo ,seeninmemoryasinavision,andaflutteringpagewhichseemedtoblazonforththequestion,'AmImybrother's eeper?'Theboo ?--itwasburiedindeadhandslongago;andthewords?--theyhadnotbeenprintedintheboo moreindeliblythanuponmymemory.

Whyshouldthesightofthishomely,honestrusticbringbac thesethings?Ididnot now;butIseatedmyselfintheshelterofhisbroadbac ,andaffectedtobeabsorbedinanoteboo andthebronzedplatesuponthewallsaboutme, eepingmeanwhile,withoneear,sufficientlyclosenoteupontheirconversation,andlettingmymindwander.

Whatastrangescene!Outuponthelagoonswiftelectriclaunchessweptby,andgondolas,slower,butgracefulandpicturesque,glidedtoandfro,theirlitheboatmenswayingtothesweepofthesingleoar.

Whydidthesharp-eyedlittlewomanopposite,onthebenchintheshadowofthegoddessofAir,eyemeso eenlyandsolong,dividingherattention,infact,betweenmyselfandayoungmotherwithtwotiredchildren,scarcemorethaninfantsboth?

YonderwenttwoTur s,bearingbetweenthem,swayingbetwixttwolong

poles,agenuineTur

ishpalanquin,andcrying,'Hi!hi!'tothosewhoobstructedtheirdirectlineofmarch.

Wherewasthemanofauthority?Iloo edatmywatch,andmythoughtscamebac tomyselfandmyownaffairs.

'Anhourandahalftowait!IwonderifBrainerdisontheground,andwhathewillsayofourjointunderta ingwhenwemeet;foryoucanbynomeansestablishaprecedentbywhichtojudgeofBrainerd'sthoughtsanddeedstocome.Howwillourwor prosper?Shallwefinditeasy?andshallwesucceed?'

ForDaveBrainerdandI,bothprofessionaldetectives,'man-hunters,'

ifyouwill,weresenttothisWhiteCityonatwofoldmission.

Itwasnotourfirstwor together,andatfirstwedidnotenterintoitwithenthusiasm.

'Masters,Brainerd,'ourchiefsaidtousonemorning,'theyaregoingtowantalotofgoodmenatthatWorld'sFair;Ithin I'dbetterputyoubothonthelist.'Andthiswasallthatwassaidthen,butwhenwewereoutofhispresenceDaveexploded.

'Wantstosendustowatchlittleboys,loo afterladies' erchiefs,andhuntuplostbabies,doeshe?'hebegan,inafume.'It'snotmeselfthat'lldoit;d'yehear,Masters?I'llgoli ethebiggest

gentlemanofall,orli

ethesleuthIam,butnochild-rescuingand id-coppingforme!Lethishonourgiveus,'withatheatricalgesture,'afoemanworthyofoursteel.'

Nothingcameofthiswhimsicaltirade,andawee hadpassedbeforethechiefspo eagainuponthesubject.Thenwewerebothcalledintohisprivateoffice,andhesaid:

'Boys,wehavejustfoundouttoacertaintythatGreenbac BobandhispalsaregoingtooperateattheWorld'sFair.I'vealready


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promisedthemmoregoodmenthanIli etospare,butwecan'tletBobandhiscrowdslip.Ididnotreallymeantosendyou,eitherofyou,withtheothers;butthisissomethingworthwhile.'

'Ishouldsay!'bro einDave,whowasnorespecterofpersons,unlessperhapsitmighthavebeenofDaveBrainerd.'Doyoumeantotellus,Cap,thatthedandyFrenchmanisinit?'

'Heisverymuchinit.HecrossedfromCalaisonthelastboatinhothaste,andI'mmuchmista enifthewholegangisnotalreadyonitswaytotheWhiteCity,thoughheonlyreachedthissidethenightbeforelast;andthere'sanotherpartywhomaygiveussometrouble.Wedon't nowhim,butheissaidtobeanall-roundbadone,justcomeoverfromCalaiswiththisDelbras.IwishIcouldgiveyouevenadescriptionofhim.'

Greenbac Bobwasacounterfeiter,orsoitwasbelieved,forhewassobold,soshrewd,andsogenerallysuccessful,thatnooneasyethadbeenabletoentanglehiminthemeshesofthelaw;thoughsamplesofwhatwasbelievedtobehishandiwor hadbeenpassedfromhandtohand,andtravelledfarbeforetheyhadbeenchallenged,andtheirjourneyssummarilyendedinthecabinetofourchief.Bobwas nownasagambler,too,andmorethanoncehadhebeenwatchedandshadowedbecauseofsomeilldeedconnectedwithhisname;wehadseenhis

face,andhispictureadornedtherogues'gallery.Delbras,however,wasli elytogiveussometrouble;wehadseenhim,itistrue,butitwasonlyafleetingglimpse,withthepossibilitythathewasatthemomentcleverlydisguised.

OfDelbraswe new,first,thathewasandhadbeenforyearstheoccasionalpartnerorconfederateofthecounterfeiter,andpresumablyacounterfeiteralso;next,thathewassetdownintherecordsoftheLondonpoliceas'dangerous';andlast,thathehadcrossedtheocean,leavingParis,whichhadgrown'toohottoholdhim,'andwasavowedlyenroutefortheWorld'sFair,itwasthoughtuponmischiefintent.

ThislastitemcametoourchiefdirectfromtheFrenchpolice,

togetherwiththeinformationthattwoorthreediamondrobberieswhichhadoccurredintheFrenchcapitalduringthepreviouswinterwerelaidathisdoor,althoughithadbeenthusfarimpossibletobringthetheftshometohim.

ConcerningGreenbac Bob--thefellowwas nowntousbynoothername--wefeltquitesanguine;wehadseenhim,wehadhisphotographandhisfulldescriptionaccordingtotheBertillonsystem,and,onceseen,hewouldhardlybelosttosightagain,orsoweflatteredourselves.DelbraswemustidentifythroughBob,oraswebestcould;andthethirdmemberofthe'gang'--well,agreatdealmustbelefttochance,asusual.

Thismuchwe

newofDelbras:hewas'handsome,educated,familiarwiththewaysofgoodsociety,andnotaneasybirdtocatch.'ThisfromtheFrenchpolicecommissaire.

'Apinchbec gentleman,eh!'hadbeenDaveBrainerd'sscornfulcommentuponhearingthis.'Theworstsettodealwith;I'drathertac leastraightout-and-outeranyday.'

RecallingthisspeechofDave'sbroughtmythoughtsbac totheoldquestion,'Wherewashe?'Andthenthedialogueatmyelbowarousedmy


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flaggingattention,andbroughtitbac tomyrusticacquaintanceandthesmugpersonageathisside.

'Wal,now,Ihadn'tthoughtofthat,butnow'tyoumentionit,'twasagoodidee;andtheywouldn'tchangeittotheeatin'-house?'

'Notthere.'Thesmugman'stoneswerelowandcautious.'Pardonme,but--don'tspea tooloud,myfriend--themerementionofmoneyisli elytoattractsomesharpertoyou.No,theyrefusedmethere.Yousee,Ianticipatedsomedifficultyinsidethegates,soIhadtriedjustbeforeentering;butthemanatthedes refused,andverycurtly,too.Iwantedtoenteratonceinordertomeethalfadozenyoungmenfrommytownwhoaresortofundermycare.'

'Orphans?'

'Notquite.TheybelongtomyBibleclass,yousee,'Mr.Smugexplainedmodestly;'andIhadpromisedtobeattheTerminalStationincasetheyarrivedbytheearlytrain.'

'Wharfrom,d'yesay?'withawa eninginterest.'I'maSunday-schoolteachermyself,whenI'mtohum.'

'Indeed!It'saveryinterestingandusefulwor --labouringforsouls.

Ah,theycomefromMarshall,inIowa.''Don'tsay!Why,I----'

'Buttheydidnotarrive;theirtrainhadbeendelayed.But,asIwasabouttotellyou,ifIhadnotchancedtohaveinmypossessionarollofbills,putinmycarebythefatherofoneoftheyoungerlads,Imighthavebeen eptoutsideforsometimelonger.'

'How'sthat?'

Ihadbeenalittlepuzzledatthisdialogue,andwaslosingmyinterestsomewhatwhenitreachedthispoint,andIpric edupmyears

anew,whileIcontinuedtocopyinscriptionsandjotdownmemoranda.

'Itseemsalmostli econfessingtoabreachoftrust;butthereseemednootherway,andso,steppingtooneside,Itoo outthepac ageofmoneybelongingtomyyoungfriend.Ihadcounteditinhisfather'spresence,and newthatitcontainedontheveryoutsideoftherollatwodollarbill.Itoo thisandprocuredmytic et.OfcourseIshallexplaintohimandreplaceitatonce.'

'Incourse!but--youwasa-saying----'

'IbegantotellyouhowIlearnedwheretogotogetmoneychanged.Ihadentered,youmust now,attheCottageGrovegateopeningupon

Midway,andwal

ingtowardtheeastIsoonmetaguard.'Hehaddrawnacigarfromhispoc etwhilespea ing,andhenowturnedtowardme.Ihadlightedaweeduponseatingmyselfnearthem,andasheutteredapolite'Pardonme,sir,'Ismo edcalmlyon,whileIcopieduponafreshpageofmynoteboo thelegend,'Jennerdiscoveredtheprincipleofvaccinationin1796,'puttinganelaboratefinalflourishafterthedate.

'Sir!Yourpardon;mayItroubleyouforalight?'Alighttouchofhishandaccompaniedthewords,andIturnedslowly,favouredhimwith


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aloo ofaswell-managedstupidityandinquiryasIcouldmuster,drewfrommypoc etalittleear-tube,and,adjustingittomyrightear,said,'Hey?'

Againthefellowmade nownhiswant,andthen,apparentlyconvincedthatIhadnotbeenalistener,heresumed,somewhathurriedly,Ithought:

'AsIwassaying,Imetaguardandas edhimwheretogotogetabillexchanged;hementionedoneortwoplacesalongwayoff,andthen,happeningtothin ofthearrangementmadefortheaccommodationofforeigners,hecourteouslydirectedmetooneoftheagentsquitenearathand.'Heallowedabigpuffofsmo etoescapehislipsveryslowly,andadded,asifitwerethefinalword,'Thoseagenciesforhomeandforeignexchangeareagreatconveniencetotravellers.'

'Whatairthey?'demandedmyrustic.'Neverheerdon'em.'

'Really!Why,theadministrationhasarrangedasystemofagencieswhicharesuppliedwithacertainsuminsmallban -notes,greenbac s,whichtheyareauthorizedtoexchangeforforeigncurrency;and,fortheconvenienceofMidwayPlaisance,oneoftheseagentsisestablishedinMidway,neartheTur ishVillage.Onemay nowhimbyasmallbluebadgewithasilverstampintheformofahalf-dollar

souveniruponhiscoat.''Oh!'

'Heprovedveryaffable--theguardassuredmeIwouldfindhimso;andastheotheragenciesweresofaraway,Itoo advantageofhisgoodnature,andinsteadofexchangingtendollars,Igothimtoputahundred-dollarbillintofiftycrispnewtwo-dollarbills,fresh,li eallthisexchangemoneyfromtheGovernmenttreasury--apart,infact,ofthatgreatoutputoftwo-dollargreenbac sissuedbytheGovernmentatthesametimeasthesouvenircoins,asyounodoubtremember.'

No,therusticdidnotremember,butneitherdidhedoubt.Hewasfullofexclamationsofwonderandadmirationatthewor ingsofsowonderfulandgenerousaGovernment;andthencametheclimax.WouldMr.SmugdirecthimtothisaffableagentuponMidway?etc.

'AsIwassayingatfirst,Idon'tlugmuchmoneyaroundwithmetosechplacesasthishere,butwhatlittleI'vegotain'tquitedividedupenoughtobehandy;Idon'tmindgettin'afiftyintonewGover'mentgreenbac smyself.Mywife'n'mearecountin'onstayin'onhereaconsid'ableofaspell,maybe,an'smallchangeishandiest.'

'It'spositivelynecessary,'declaredSmug,gettingupquic ly.'I'll

showyoutheplace,andtheman;andthenImustbeloo

ingformyyoungmenagain.'

Ihadnotloo edforthisconclusion,butastherusticaroseIclosedmynoteboo andmadereadytofollowthem.Iwasallagogtoseethisamiabledealerinbrand-newGovernmentnotes.

Asthecountrymanturnedtowardhisguide,thesmallsharp-facedwoman,whohadeyedussolongandoftenfromherbenchalmostopposite,arosewithamovementsuggestiveofsteelsprings,andmade


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herwaytowardus,wavingherumbrellatoattractattention.Imovedrapidlyaside,inanticipationofthesweepinggestureofarmandumbrella,whichdislodgedatallman'shatandsentitrollingtothefeetofafris ymaiden,fromwhenceitwasrescuedbySmug,whorestoredit,withaplacatingword,andsoavertedanunpleasantness.Meanwhilethewomanhadreachedherhusband'sside,andafewquicwordshadpassedbetweenthetwo.Thenagesture,andanotherwordortwo,evidentlymeantforanintroduction,broughtthesmugstrangertohernotice,andthethreeturnedtheirfacestowardthePlaisance;butnotuntilIhadheardhersaytoherbetter-halfassheclungtohisarm,whileSmugopenedawayahead,'Itellyouhe'saconfidenceman,andI nowit.I'vebeena-watchin'him!'

Followingthethreeatalittledistance,anddiscreetly,Ismiledatthewoman'srusticcleverness;andneverdidmansmilemoremista enly.

CHAPTERII.

'ITOLDMYTALEOFWOE.'

IfollowedthetrioastheywentrapidlypasttheTerminalStation,andhalted,laughinginwardly,whileMr.Smug,asIhadmentallynamedthemanwhosegameIwaswatchingsointently,stoodfidgetingbeforethegreatgoldendooroftheTransportationBuildingwaitingforthesharp-eyedwomantoexhaustherecstasies,andforhermorestolidhusbandtoclosehiswide-openedmouthandrememberhiserrandtoMidwayPlaisance.

Asformyself,Icouldhavegazedatthismarvelofdoorwaysandhaveforgottenallelse;andIwasnotsorrythatthesmallfarmeresshadawillofherown,andthatthiswillelectedtostay.

Oh,thatsuperbeasternfaade!Neverbeforehasitsli

ebeenseen.Neverinsuchasettingandinsuchgiganticproportionswillweseeitagain.

ButweleftitatlastandmadeaslowandhaltingprogresspastHorticulturalHallononesideandthesunlitlagoonontheother;andhere,overcomebythegrandeurofitall,thewomanofthepartysatdown,withherfacetowardthewater.

''Tain'tno indofuse,pa!'shedeclaredloudly.'I'mgoin'tosetdownbythela eforaminit;Iguessthere'llbesometwo-dollarbillsleftinMidwayyetwhenwegetthere.I'veheardtellofthemlovelylaggoonsestillI'machin'toseeone;andI'mjestgoin'to

setrightheretillonegoesby.Land!justseethemstoneanymals,andallthemold-fashionedstonefiggersoffol s!'Pearstomethey'speopleenoughaliveandfris y,'thoutstic in'allthemstonemenaroundsodretfullib'ral;thoughtheyloo well'nough,fur'sI

now.'Shecasthereyesallabouther,andthenbec onedtoSmug,standinguneasilyintherear:'Say,can'tyoushowmeonesinglelaggoon?'

Smugcamenearer,andwavedhishandcomprehensivelytowardtheshiningwatersbelowthem,andsouthwardwhereared-sailedChinese


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jun layatanchoroppositetheTransportationBuilding.

'Thatisalagoon,madam,'hesaid,affablybutlow.

'Umph!It'snobetter-loo in'thanouroldmudscow!Comeon,father.'Andtheyresumedtheirlineofmarch,butnotuntilinturningtota ealastloo atthebelittled'laggoon'hersnappingsmalleyesencounteredminefrowningly,andIsaidtomyself,'Shesawmeintherotunda;canshesuspectthatIamfollowingthem?'

Contrarytomyexpectation,shedidnotcallahaltuponenteringMidway,butwentstraighton,stillclutchingherspousebythearm,whilethesmugonewal edsedatelyatherfartherside;shepassedthedivers'exhibit,thebeautycongress,theglassdisplays,andpacedsteadilyon,hereyesriveteduponapalanquinbornebytwowaddlingTur s;andwhenthisancientconveyancehadpausedbeforetheTur ishBazaar,then,andonlythen,didshepauseorta efurtherheed.

Asthebearersgentlyloweredthechair,andstoodbesideitatease,shesnatchedherhandfromherhusband'sarm,andhurryingtowardsthefront,peeredwithinthecurtainedbox.

'Landofgracious!'sheejaculated,'andIs'posedtheywascarryingoneofthemharums,noless,intheoutlandishthing!'Then,stooping

toreadwithnear-sightedeyesthelegend,'Onehour75cents,one-halfhour50cents,tenminutes15cents,'sheturnedagaintoherbetter-half:'Come,pa,let'sgetthatchangerightquic ;I'mgoin'torideinthatthingifIdropoutthroughthebottom.'

TherewasacrowdintheTur ishBazaar,butoursmugfriendledthewaytoanangleofthebuildingwherethehaw erswereunusuallybusy,andIdrewnearenoughtoseethathewasnowloo ingcovertlyallabouthim,andforalittleseemedataloss.

'Kum-all-ong!Kume-mol-o-ng!Ku-m-m-m!'

Theshrilllong-drawn-outcrycausedhimtoturnsuddenly,andto

elbowhisway,withhispreyathisheels,towardasmallrailed-inspace,wherein,seatedonaTur ishottoman,alittlehigherthanthegenuine,wasaswarthymanwithbeetlingbrows,bigrollingblaceyes,andafiercemoustachebristlingunderneathahoo ednose.Heworearedfez,muchas ew,andhisAmericantrousersandwaistcoatwereenlivenedbyatennis-sashoforangeandredandasmo ing-coatfacedwithvividgreen.Hewassmo ingadecoratedTur ishpipe--'Toor- aish,'hecalledit--andalowtableandsundrydecoratedboxesandpac ageswerehissolestoc -in-trade.

'Kum-all-ong!hereiterated.'Kum-esee-eme-e-esmo e!Easy--so--nonoise;so!Soo-vy-nee-yra;Toor- aishsoo-vy-nee-yrmatches!'Ateverypausea'soo-vy-nee-yrmatch'wasstruc ,deftlyandwithoutnoise,

andabigpuffofsmo

ewassentcirclingabovehishead.

'Bah!'exclaimedMrs.Rustic,turningaway,'ifyou'vebroughtmeherejusttoseeaTur eymansmo eabigpipe,AdamCamp,youmayjestta emehomeag'in.'

Ashoutoflaughterfollowedthissally,andassheturnedawayIfanciedthatIsawaquic loo exchangedbetweenthemanofthepipeandoursmugguide.Whetherthisweretrueornot,IobservedthatSmugnolongerseemedeagertohastenthemonward,andIsawanother


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thing--thewoman,inturningfromthemanofthesouvenirmatches,hadoncemorefixedhereye,throughasuddenopeninginthecrowd,uponmyself;andimmediatelyaftershehadwhisperedsomethingintheearofherspouse,whichsomethinghesoonafterrepeated,orsoIfancied,tohis indfriendSmug.

Ihadfollowedthem,trustingtothecrowdandmys illasan'artfuldodger,'uptothismomentquiteclosely;butInowfellbac ,andwithdrewmyselfalittledistancefromtheaislewhereallthreewerenowloitering,thewomanexaminingwithwonderingeyesmarvellousTur ishslipperswithturned-uptoes,andolive-woodbeadsandbracelets,profferedbyfierceMohammedansinbaggytrousersandtasselledfez,orbyswarthy,oily-s innedgirlswithbushyhairandgarmentsofOrientalcolouring,orintailor-madegowns,andwiththeubiquitousfezasabadgeoftheiroffice--orservitude;rugsanddraperies,attarofrosesingildedvials,souvenirspoons,filigreeingiltandsilver,toysofun nownformandname,cloyingTur ishsweets,foreignstamps,coins,relics,allcameunderherunsophisticatedeyes,whileherspousegazeduponMoorishdaggers,swordsofstrangewor manship,saddlesandstirrupsofsingularform,andmuchstrangegearandgaytrappings,theuseofwhichhecouldneverhaveguessedbutforthelearnedexplanationsofhisnowcarelesslyamiableguide.

TheyhadgazedsolongthatIhadbeguntogrowimpatientandtowonderhowthistamechasewouldend,whenthetriodrewupatapointwherethelongarcadeturnssharplytorightandleft,andwhereatoneoftheintersectionsavendorofsingularly-carvedcanesandstic swasmounteduponastooldrapedwithOrientalrugs,andsohighandslenderthatoneloo edtoseetheoccupanttoppleandfallfrommomenttomoment.Hewasabrown-facedfellowofsmallstatureandaslitheasanIndian,andhewasjugglingrec lesslywithapairofgrotesquecarvenstic s,cryingthewhile:

'He-uryou-urur!He-uryou-ur-ur!Soo-vy-neer!Soo-vy-neer!Gen-oo-ineTeer- eesh--gen-oo-ine!Come-mon!come-mon!Teer eesh--gen-oo-ine;onlytreedoll-yeer!'

Asmartyoungman,breathingofopulenceinairandattire,camebris lyforwardandhelduphishandtoreceivebothstic s,withaharlequinbowfromthedar -eyedOriental,whoworeaspruceblacbroadclothsuit,inhonourofAmerica,andaredfez,inloyalty,doubtless,tothelandoftheSultan;andthenmyinterestbecamesuddenlyandwidelyawa e.

Theyouthchosebetweenthetwocanes,andhandedupinpaymentawornfive-dollarbill,andafterafeintatsearchingforthecorrectamountthemanofthefezbentdownandplacedinhishandacrispnewtwo-dollarban note;atthesamemoment,almost,friendSmugtouchedthearmofFarmerCamp,andIsawthetwoturntheirheadstowardthe

southernwing.IhadmademywaysonearthemthatIcouldhearthewordsofthefarmer,whoevidentlyhadnosubduedtones,andafteralongloo towardthesouthentranceIheardhimsay:

'Thathim?Why,heloo sli eoneofthesefellers!'

AndthenIsawhisguide'slipsmoving,andcaughtthefinalwords,'aneducatedOriental.'Inanothermomenthehadmovedhurriedlyforwardandputouthishandtostopthemanwho,withheadveryerect,andcrownedwithablac andgoldembroideredfez,wascoming


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towardhim,butwitheyeslevelledupontheactiveyoungmanupontheloftystool.Heworeaseveresuitofblac ,relieveduponthebreastoftheclose-buttonedPrinceAlbertcoatbyabluesatinbadge,bearinguponitsupperhalfasilver-giltsouvenirhalf-dollar,anduponthelowerportionatinyfac-simileofaGovernmentban note.

Hepausedasthesmugyoungmanaddressedhim,andloo edintohisface,atfirstwithindifference,almostamountingtoannoyance,thenwithgrowingrecognition,andfinallywithablandandcondescendingsmile.Heworealongandflowingbeard,andtheblac clothfez,unli etheredone,wasnotra ishlyseton;butIrecognisedhimatonce.

Itwasthemanwiththe'soo-vy-neermatches,'quic lyanddeftlymetamorphosedtoescapetheunobservantoruntrainedeye,butthesame,notwithstanding.Andnowmyinterestgrewapace.I newthatatlastwewereinthepresenceofthatpowerfulofficialwhodispensedvirgintwo-dollarnotestotheunwittingforeignerornative;andAdamCampwasabouttobemulcted.

Ihadformednoplanofaction.Ihadbeeninterested,first,inthewelfareofAdamCamp,andthenthementionofthesenewGovernmenttwo-dollarbillshadarousedinmethedesire,strongerforthemomentthananyother,toseethis'agent'whosedutyitwastoma eeasythe

pathofthestrangerandalieninourmidst.Andnowoursmugfrienddemonstratedhisabilitytodoquic wor whenoccasionrequired.

Throwingcautiontothewinds,Idrewclosebehindthewoman,andheardtheintroductionofCampandthecasestatedbriefly.

Smughadventuredtobringthischanceacquaintance,etc.,whodesiredali efavourtothatconferreduponhimselfnotlongsince.Mr.Campdesiredtoexchangeaban note,saytenortwentydollars,perhaps,forsmallerbills,forconvenienceattheFair,etc.

Themanofthebadgeloo

edcloselyatFarmerCamp,whowasbowingli eamandarin,andthenbac athisspouse.

'Youcanvouchforthisperson?'heas edwithatouchofseverity,andinexcellentEnglish.

'Pardonme;wearemerepassingacquaintances,butIshouldthin ----'

Heofthebadgedrewhimselfupwithastatelygesture.

'Wearenotpermittedtojudgeforourselves,'hesaid;'ourGovernmentrequiresomesortofvoucher,as,forinstance,abancertificate,cheque-boo ,evenareceiptorletter.'

BeforeFarmerCampcouldpullhimselftogetherandreply,hiswifeinterfered,ta ingaswiftstepforward.

'Ifyouwantdoc yments,mister,'shesaidtartly,'IguessI insupply'em.I'vebroughtourweddin'stiffy it,andourlettersfromthechurchtoNeeponsit,andourfireinsurancepapers.'Shelaidasuggestivesatin-glovedhanduponherbosomandtossedherhead.'Ididn'tcountonnobody'sta in'ustobeanybodyelsewhenIbrung'em,butIdidn'twant'emlost,caseoffireoranything.'


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The'agent'putuparemonstranthand,andCamphastenedtoproducealetterfromhisbrotherinNebras a,whichwasgracefullyaccepted;andsooverpoweredwasCampatsomuchcondescensionthatheopenedaplumpwallet--carriedinabreastpoc ethighup,andevidentlyofhomemanufacture--anddrewfromit,aftersomedeliberationandawhisperedwordwithhiswife,aonehundreddollarbill.

'Iguesswemightjestaswellbrea that.'Hewasextendingthebill,andthehandofthenoweageragentwasoutstretchedtograspit,whenIsteppedquic lytohisside.

'Pardonme,sir,'Isaid,withmybestair.'Couldyoutellmewheretheban islocated?Iamtoldthatthereisoneonthegrounds.'Thefourpairsofeyeswerefulluponme,andI newthatbythreeofthemIwasrecognised.'Iamanxioustogetsomemoneychanged,'Iwentonglibly,butwithameaningglanceatthe'agent,''tobuysomesouvenirmatchesdownhere,andI'mtoldthere'scounterfeitmoneycirculatinghere.'

Iwasplayingabluffgame,andI newit,forasyetIhadnotsecuredmycredentials;butwhenIsawtheswartfaceoftheshamagentchangetoasic lyyellow,andSmugbegintodrawbac andlooanxiouslyfromlefttoright,Iwasinwardlytriumphant;but,alac !

itisonlyinfictionthatthecleverdetectivealwayshasthebestofit,andatthismomenttherecameanunexpecteddiversion.

Campstillstoodwiththebillinhishand,open-mouthedandevidentlypuzzled;andnowhiswife,whohaddrawncloserandwaspeeringintomyface,turneduponhimquic ly.

'AdamCamp,putupthatmoney!'shecried.'I nowthisfeller;Iseenhimtal in'toyoubac therebytheAdministrationBuildin';andhe'sbeenwatchin'andfollerin'useversence.I nowhim!Inanotherminutehewould'a'grabbedyourmoneyandrunforit.'

Therewasasuddenmovement,ashiftingofpositions,aminglingof

exclamationsandaccusations,withthewoman'stonguestillwaggingshrilly,andheardthroughall.PeoplecrowdedaboutusandabraceofColumbianguardscamehurryingup.

'Whatisit?'

'Anyonebeenrobbed?'

InstantlythehandsofSmugandhisconfederatebegantoslapanddigintotheirpoc ets,whilethewomanansweredeagerly:

'Allonus,li eenough!He'sapic poc etoraconfidenceman.Iseenhimfollerin'us.I've ep'aneyeonhim.'Andthencameacryfrom

Smug.

'Mywallet!'

Heturneduponme,callingwildlytotheguards,'Searchhim!'

Intomynearestpoc etwentaglovedhand,andwhenitcameout,there,sureenough,wasabrownleatherwallet.

'Hereitis!'criedone.


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'Lord-a-massy!'

'Itoldyouso!'

'Runhimin!'

Iwasthecentreofasmallbedlam,andIshutmylipstightlyandinwardlycursedmyinterestinallrustics,andparticularlytheCamps.Iwasfairlytrapped.Isawmyposition,andheldmypeace,whilethetworascalstoldtheirtale,ma ingsurebytheirvolubilitythattheCampsdidnottelltheirs.Onlyasthetwoguards,oneoneitherside,turnedtoleadmeaway,IsaidtoSmug,'Weshallmeetagain,myfinedecoy;'andtotheshamagentasIpassedhim,'Betterstic toyourmatches,myfriend.'

Inwardlychafing,Imarchedthroughthecrowdbetweenmytwocaptors,bringingthemtoamomentaryhaltaswecameabreastoftheplacewherethesouvenirmatcheswerehaw ed,andseeingthere,asIhadanticipated,anewfacebeneaththeredfez.

ThenIspo etomycaptors:

'Men,youhavemadeamista eforwhichIcan'tblameyou.Ta eme

beforeyourchiefatonce,andIwillnotonlyprovethis,butma

eitworthyourwhiletobecivil.'

Foranswerthetwomerelyexchangedglances,andhurriedmeon,and,convincedoftheuselessnessoffurtherremonstranceuntilIhadreachedsomeoneinauthority,Istrodeonsilently.

Attheentrancetothegreatanimalshowtherewasadensecrowd,andforamomentwewerebroughttoahalt.Standingupontheedgeofthemassofbobbingbonnetsandheavingshoulders,IcouldseeinthemidstofthethrongtwoTur ish-fezzedheadswildlydodgingandstrugglingtowardus,andamomentlaterafullbassvoicecalledimpatiently:

'Goahead!Getoutofthis,can'tyou?'

Istartedatthesoundofthebig,impatientvoice,andstoodwithmyeyesriveteduponthespotfromwhenceitseemedtocome.Amomentlaterthetworedheadshademergedfromthecrowd,andwiththemasedan-chair,which,evidently,theyfoundnoeasyload.AstheyshuffledpastmeIstartedagain,soviolentlythatmytwocaptorscaughtatmewithrestraininghands.

Atthesameinstanttherewasaquic exclamationfromtheswingingchairandaperemptoryordertohalt.

'Masters,Isay!Stop,youinfernalheathens!Stop,Isay!Openthisoldchic en-coopandletmeout!'

AstheastonishedTur sslowlyandwithseemingreluctancesetdowntheirchairandliberatedtheirprisoner,myguardsmadeaforwardmovement.

'Stop,youfellows!'calledthenewcomer,inthesameperemptorytone.'Whereareyougoingwiththatman?'


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Asheflunghimselffromthechairhetossedacointothebearers,andpromptlyplacedhimselfsquarelyinthewayofmytwoguards.

'Masters,'hebegan,'whatinthenameofwonder----'

'He'sourprisoner,'bro einoneofmycaptors;andatthewordDaveBrainerdthrewbac hisheadandlaughedasonlyDavecould,seeingwhichmyindignantescortmadeanotherforwardmovement.

'Stop,youyoung--don eys!'Davethrewbac hiscoat,andatsightofthesymboluponhisinnerlapelthetwoyoungmenbecamesuddenlyandrespectfullystationary.'Now,'pantedDave,stillsha enwithmerriment,'w-whathashedone?'

Istoodsilent,enjoyingsomewhatmyguards'evidentdoubt,andwillingtoletDaveenjoytothefullthisjo eatmyexpense,andafteramoment'shesitationoneoftheguardsreplied:

'Hepic edapoc et,theysay.'

'Oh,theydo?Well,myyoungfriends,Ican'tblameyoumuch;heisasuspicious-loo ingchap,butreallyhe'squiteharmless.Youcanturnhimovertomewithaclearconscience.I'llrunhimin.'Andhelaughedagain,andtappedhiscoat-lapel.'Really,boys,you'vemadea

regularblunder.Thispalofmineisentitledtowearthissamebadgeofaristocracy,onlyheseemstohavewanderedoutforoncewithouthiscredentials.Howdidithappen,Carl?'

Butnowmyimpatiencebro eoutafresh,andIturnedtotheguards.

'Loo here,'Isaidhurriedly,'thosetwofellowswhocalledyouupandpretendedtoberobbedarefinewor ers,andIbelievecounterfeiters.Iwaswatchingthemwhiletheywereropingthatoldcountryman.Ifyouwanttorepairablunder,gobac ,seeifyoucantracethemen,ortheoldmanandhiswife,andreporttoyourchief.'

Theywereverywillingtogo;andwhenwewerefreefromthemmy

friendindulgedinanotherlongandheartylaughatmyexpense.

'Jove!Carl,butit'stherichestthingout--thatyou,acracdetective,comingherewithextraordinaryrightsandprivileges,shouldbenabbedbyacoupleoftheseyoungcollegeladsattheverybeginning;it'stoofunny.Howdidithappen?Whocausedyourarrest?'

'Anoldwoman,'saidIshortly,feelingthatthefunwasquitetooone-sided.Butseeingtheabsurdityofitall,and nowingthatDavewouldhaveitalloutofmesoonerorlater,Idrewhimoutofthecrowd,andundertheshadowoftheviaductjustbehindus,andstandingasmuchaspossiblealooffromthethrong,Itoldmy'taleofwoe.'

BeforeIhadreachedtheendDavewashisseriousselfoncemore--adetectivealertand een.

'Youaresure,'hebeganeagerly,'thattheoldfarmerwasnotoneofthem?'

Ismiled,thin ingofMrs.Campandthe'laggoons.'

'Perfectlysure.Itwastheoldwoman'squic eyesthatdidforme,'I


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replied;'shehadseenmeoncetoooften,andhersuspicionswereonthealert.Idaresayshesawa"confidenceman"ineverypersonwhocamesuspiciouslynearthem,butawomanpalcouldnothaveplayedonewhitbetterintotheirhands.'

Davemadeasuddenstart.'Loo here,'hesaid,'I'mgoingtotryforaloo atthosefellows!I'vegotasortoffeelingthattheymaybelongtoourgang,someofthem--thatmatch-vendernow;theother,yoursmugfriend,istooshort,asyoudescribehim,tobeeitherofourmen;buttheagent,andthatfellowwiththecanes--describethemalittlemoreindetail,butbequic ,too;andtheoldfol s--ofcoursethey'reta eninanddoneforbeforenow;butI'dli etomeetthatoldwoman,justonyouraccount.I'mgoingstraighttothatTur ishvillage;andyou?'Hebegantolaughagain.

'Oh,I'mgoingbac totheAdministrationBuilding,'Isaidwithagrimace,'assoonasI'vedescribedyourmenforyou.Idon'tfeelinclinedtowanderaboutthismysteriousanddangerousWhiteCityanymoreuntilIamfittedoutwithatrade-mar .Itisnotsafe--forme.'

FiveminuteslaterDavewasonhiswaytothesceneofmyabsurdescapade,andIwashasteningbac totheplacewhichInevershouldhaveleftuntilIhadmademybowbeforethe'maninauthority,'andhadbeendulyprovidedwiththevoucherwhichwouldopenformeall

doorsandcommandtheaidorobedienceofguards,guides,etc.;until,infact,Ihadbeendulyenrolled,andhadta enran asoneofthe'specials,'whowentandcameatwillandreportedatpleasureoratneed.

OnmywayIsoundlyberatedmyselfformyfollyinventuringsorec lesslyandwithoutauthoritytointerfereinbehalfofasheep,whenbesiegedbywolves,andindangeroflosingnomorethanhisfleece.

IhadlostallinterestinFarmerCamp,andfeltnotaspar ofphilanthropyinmywholebeing.

ButtheWhiteCitywasaplaceofsurprises,andFarmerCampandIweredestinedtomeetagain.

AsIapproachedtheviaductwhichseparatedtheMidwayPlaisancefromtheWorld'sFairproper,withmymindthusoutoftune,andwasabouttopassunder,asharpgutturalcryclosebesidemecausedmetoturnquic lyabout.

'Ta- aca-ar-h!La-dee,la-dee!'

'Ah--h--h!'

Thefirstcry,orwarning,camefromthethroatofagrinningTur ,

oneofanumberofpalanquin-bearers,andthelastfromthelipsofatallgolden-hairedgirlwhohadbeenwal ingsomewhatslowly,andquitealone,justbeforethem,inthepathshehadchosentota eandto eepwithoutswerving.Therewerehalfadozenofthempatteringalonginlinebetweentheirvacantswingingpalanquins,andtheyhadevidentlylearnedthat,beinga'partoftheshow,'theymightclaimand eeptherightofway.

TherascallyTur hadutteredhiscryofwarningwithoutintheleastslac eninghisshufflingtrot,andastheladyutteredthesingle


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frightenedsyllable,Isawthatoneofthepolesinthebearer'shandshadstruc herwithsuchforceastosendherreelingtowardme.

Throwingoutonehandforhersupport,Ithrustbac thenowsurlybearerwiththeotherwithsuchforceastothrowhimbac uponhispolesandbringthewholecavalcadetoamomentaryhalt.Atthesametimeaguardcameupandorderedaturntotheright.

'Youfellowsarenotrunninginatramway,Mr.Morocco,andyou'llfindyourselvesswitchedontoaside-trac ifyoutrythemonopolybusinessonfreeAmericancitizens--see!'Thelastword,emphasizedwithasharpshovetotheright,waseasilycomprehendedbythegloweringsonsofAllah,andtheymovedon,silent,butdartingblacglancesfromundertheirheavybrows.

Meanwhilethefaironehadrecoveredherpoiseanddignity,andthan edme,inthesweetestofvoices,formyslightassistance,andIhadfoundtimetonotethatshewasmorethanamerelyprettyblonde.

AtthatmomentIwassurethatIhadneverseenamorecharmingface,thoughshegavemeonlyaglimpseofit;andwhensheturnedaway,andthecrowdaboutus,attractedforthemoment,separatedagainintoitsvariouselements,Istoodgazingafterherforamomentasstupidlyastheveriestschoolboysmittenatsightofhisfirstlove,andthen,

turningtogomyway,andlettingmyeyesfalltotheground,Isawjustatmyfeetasmallleatherbag,orwhatiscalledbytheladiesa'reticule.'Itlayupontheveryspotwheretheyoungladyhadbeensorudelyjostled,andIpic editupandturnedtoloo afterher.Shehaddisappearedinthecrowd,andafterfollowingthewayshehadta enfortwoorthreebloc s,andfindingthecrowdmoredenseandthetrailhopelesslylost,Iturnedatlastandwentbac ,bestowingthelittlereticuleinmylargestpoc et,andgraduallybringingmythoughtsbac tomyownaffairs,andthoseofGreenbac BobandtherascalDelbras.

CHAPTERIII.

ACONUNDRUM.

Ihadnotgonefaronmywayafterdecidingthatthelovelyblondehadquiteescapedme--infact,IwasoncemoreabouttopassundertheviaductoppositetheWoman'sBuildingandwhichseparatedMidwayfromthegroundsproper--whenatallfigureinblueappearedatmyelbow,andfelleasilyintomysomewhathastystridewhilesaying:

'Youwillpardonme,Ihope,forintruding,andletmesayhowmuchI

appreciatedandenjoyedthesuddenwayinwhichyouhaltedthatTur

justnow.Itwasscientificallydone.'

Iturnedtoloo atthespea er.Hiswordswerecourteouslyuttered,andI newhimatoncebyhisblueuniformforoneofthosecollege-bredguardswhohavehelpedsomuchtoma ethegreatFairasuccesstoquestion-as ingvisitors.Hewasatall,handsomefellow,withaneyeasbrownashishair,andashonestanddirectasthesun'sraysatthatverymoment,andIrecognisedhimalmostatonceastheguardwhohadhastenedtolendhisaid,andhadsenttheTur sto


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theright-about,therebeingnothingelsetodo.Achurlcouldnothaveresistedthatpleasanthalf-smile.

'Itwasnothing,'Isaidcarelessly;'thefellowwaswantonlyheedless.'

'Itwasaveryprettyandscientificturnofthewrist,'heinsisted,'and--yes,thosefellowsatfirstwereobsequiousenough;now,someofthem,havingfoundouthowill-manneredtheAmericansdarebewithoutbeingbeaten,areapingourmanners.I--Itrusttheyoungladywasnothurt?'

Thebigbrowneyesturnedfrommeasheputthequestion,forthatitwas,andIsawadull-redflushrisefromhisthroatanddyehisfacetotheverytipofhisjauntyvisor.Idetected,too,anoteofanxietyinthemellowvoicethathecouldnotquitesuppress.

'Idon't now,butfancynot--notmuch,atanyrate.'Wehadcomeoutfromtheshadowoftheviaduct,andhehaltedasIspo e.Ichec edmystepsalso,andIchec edmyspeechtoo.Theanxietyinthevoicewasreflectednowintheface.Iwassmilingslightly,andthroughmymindflittedafragmentofdoggerel:

'Oh,there'snothingsoflirtatious

Asthebowldsoldierboy!'Suddenlythebrowneyescamebac tomyface,openandclearasday.

'Ioweittomyself,'hesaid,withsuddendignity,'toexplain.Atthemomentwhensheturnedaway,Irecognisedtheyoungladyasanacquaintance,andwasnaturallyinterestedto nowifshehadreceivedanyhurt--theblowseemedasevereone.Isawyoupic upherbagandstartinpursuit,andwhenyoucamebac Iventuredtoaddressyou.Icouldnotfollowfar;thisismybeat.'

'Isee!'Iwasquitewonbytheyoungfellow'sfran andmanlyairandhishandsomeface;'andI'msorryIcan'tenlightenyou.Ididnot

findthelady.'

'Oh!'Therewasaworldofdisappointmentinthisonesyllable,andbeforehecouldutteranotheranewvoicebro eintothedialogue.

'Pardonme,please!But'--alittlepant--'butIsawyoupic upmyfriend'sbag,and--andshewassofatiguedaftertheshoc thatIranbac .'

Thespea erstoppedhere,andforseveralsecondsseemedoccupiedinrecoveringherbreath.Shewasasmallandplumpbrunette,welldressed,andwearingadashingsailor-hatofblac ,wide-brimmedandadornedwithtwoaggressive-loo ingscarletwings;thisandthered

veildottedwithblac

whichpartiallyconcealedthefacewasallthatIhadtimetonotebeforeshespo eagain,comingclosertomeandaltogetherignoringthegood-loo ingguard.

'Shewassostartledandnervousaftertheshoc thatshesatdownneartheJavaVillage,andIcamebac themomentIcouldleaveher.'Sheshotaglanceoverhershoulder,andturnedherloo squarelyupontheguard,whohaddrawnbac apace.'Achair-boy,'shehurriedon,'waitingneartheLibbeyGlassWor ssawyoupic upthebag,andtoldusthewayyouhadgone.Willyoupleasegivemethebag?'


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Ihadbeenstudyingthelittlebrunettewhileshetal ed,andInowsaid:

'Iamverysorryyourfrienddidnotcomeinperson.Shedidnotseemmuchhurt.'

'Shewasnot,andshewouldhavecomewithme,only----'Againshecasthereyesinthedirectionoftheguard,whostillstoodloo ingbothanxiousandillatease,andforamomentsheseemedtohesitate.Inthatmomenttheguard'sfinefaceflushedagain,andthensetitselfincold,resolutelines.Heliftedhishandinsalutetome,and,withoutasecondglanceatthelittlebrunette,strodebactowardtheviaduct.

Thefaceofthegirlshowedinstantrelief,andsheputoutherhand.

'Thebag,please!'

'Excuseme,'Ianswered,'butreallyIcan'tletthelady'spropertyoutofmyhandswithoutsomethingtoproveyourrighttoit.Sincetheladyissonear,ifyouwillpermit,Iwillgobac withyou.'

'Howdare'--shethrewbac herhead,andherblac eyesdarted

annihilation--'howdareyou,sir!BecauseIcondescendtoaddressyou,toobligeanacquaintance,doyoufancyIwillacceptyourescortandpoc etyourinsult?Notfortenthousandleatherbags!'Sheturneduponherheelandwentswiftlybac towardsMidway,andafterwatchingherforamomentIresumedmyoften-interruptedmarch,smilingasIwenttothin howthecleverlittlebrunettehadbeenthwarted.ThatshewasanadventuressIdidnotforamomentdoubt.Shehadseenthedroppedbag,ofcourse,andhadnotedmypursuitofitsowner,anditsfailure,andshehadcounteduponma ingmeaneasydupewiththatassuredlittledemandofhers.ButIwasnotquiteastrangertoher

ind.Perhapsifthegood-loo ingguardhadnotbeensosuddenlyputtoroutImighthaveturnedtheyoungladyovertohim;suchoffenderswerehislegitimatecare.ButasIthoughtofhereasy,

self-possessed,goodsocietyair,andtheblac

eyesso

eenandsophisticated,andthenofhisfran ,ingenuousface,Ialmostlaughedaloud.Shewouldhavelaughedathisauthority,andslippedthroughhisfingerseasily.

Howquic lyhehadturnedawayatthefirsthintthatshefoundhispresenceatourbriefinterviewundesirable,flushingli eaboy,too!

OfcourseIreadilysawwhysheshouldprefertoma eherlittleattemptwithoutwitnesses,especiallythoseclothedwithameasureofauthority;andyethehadseemedtogoawayreluctantly.

AndthenIrememberedhisexplanationorexcuseinhavingfollowedand

addressedme.Hehad

nowntheyounglady--ownerofthebag.Why,ofcourse--hewantedtohearofherfurther,fromthelipsofthissupposedgirlfriend.

'Poorfellow!'Ithought,beginningtoimaginealittleromancethereintheWhiteCity;andthenIturnedmyselfaboutwithasuddenjer .

Truly,mywitswerewool-gathering.Confoundthatlittleadventuress!Hehadturnedawaysosuddenly,andhe newtheownerofthebag.Iwouldfindhimatonce--hewasnotfaraway--andIwouldwashmyhands


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ofthatlittleblac bag.

Butitwasnottobe.Ihadexpectedtofindmyhandsomeguardeasily,andIdidnotfindhimatall.Afterahalf-hourspentinprowlingupanddown,Iencounteredafileofguardsmarchingbris ly.Icaughtatmywatch,andthenscoffedatmyself.Ofcoursemyguardhadgonetodinner;Iwoulddoli ewise,andthen,whenmyotherandmorepersonaldutieshadbeendischarged,Iwouldloo uptheguard.Itwouldbequiteeasy.

ThearrangementsforourcomfortduringourstayintheWhiteCityhadbeencompletedinadvanceofourcoming,andDaveandIhadbeenquarteredtogetherinacosylittleapartment,whichwecouldreacheasilyandasquietlyasifitwereanisolateddwelling,insteadofbeingintheverycentreofallthebeautyandbustleoftheFair.

Havingpaidmyrespectstothe'maninauthority,'andafterhehadmademefamiliarwiththeinnerwor ingsofthesplendidsystembywhichtheWhiteCitywastobewatchedoverandprotected,andacquaintedwithsomeofmyco-wor ers,Iwasreadyforaheartyluncheon,andthenIfoundmyselfmyownmasterfortheremainderoftheday,oruntilfouro'cloc ,whenDaveandIweretomeetbyappointmentattheFerrisWheelandtemptitsdangerstogether.

Ofcoursemyfirstattempt,afterluncheon,wastofindmyhandsomeguard;butwhilegood-loo ingyoungfellowsandpoliteyoungfellowsinblueuniformsweretobeseenoneveryhand,theonefaceforwhichIloo edwasnowherevisible.Istillhadthelostbaginmyouterpoc et,whichIwatchedjealously,foritsbul couldbebuttooplainlyseen;andwhenDaveandIfoundourselvesmovingslowlyupwardatthetipofoneofthosegiantspo esofthebigwheel,hefixedhiseyeuponthispoc et,andas edwithagrin:

'Gotanextraluncheonincasewearestrandedinmid-airuntilpasttheChristiandinner-hour?'

OfcourseItoldhimthestoryofthefind--butbriefly,formyeyes

werebusywatchingthepeopleinthegroundsbelowgrowlessandlessinsize,untiltheyseemedli efliesmovingabouteccentrically,thelegsofthemenseemingtojer aboutconvulsively,andloo ingautomaticfromthatheight.

TherewasmuchtoamuseusinMidway,oronit;foratfirstthestreet,withitsstrangepopulation,wasspectacleenough,andwedidnotthin oftheblac bagagainuntilwefoundourselvesoccupyingisolatedplacesupontheloftyseatsinHagenbec 'sgreatanimalshow,andbeingserenadedbyanexcellentband,whilewewatchedtheentryofthehappyfamily.

Wehadenteredatatimemidwaybetweentheclosingofoneperformance

andthebeginningofanother,andwefounditacomfortableplaceinwhichtoexchangeexperiencesandcomparenotes.

MyfirstquestionhadbeenoftheCampsandtheirswindlingfriends,butDave'sreportwasscant.Hehadseenthemanofthecanes,butthesellerof'soo-vy-neer'matcheswasnolongerheofthebigmoustacheandgoodlyheight,butasmallelderlyTur ,whopipedwea lyandpliedhiscallinglistlessly.TheCamps,Smug,thegentlemanlyagent,allhaddisappearedfromoffMidway.Iwasnotsurprisedatthis,neitherwasIdisappointed;andhavingsaidasmuch,Itoo upthe


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parableofmylatestadventureuponMidway,tellingofmyencounterwiththeguardandthelittlebrunette,andlettingmyfun-lovingfriendenjoyanothergoodlaughatmyexpense.

'Imustsay,Carl,oldfellow,thatsofarasIhavetracedyourcareerthisfirstdayattheFair,youhavenotshoneoutbrilliantly.Butnevermind,partner:"abadbeginning"--you nowtherest.Oh,arewetohavealoo atthebag?'

Ihaddrawnitforthandplacedituponmy nee.Itwasasmallreceptacleoffinestalligator-s in,withanoutsidepoc et,andhavingattachedtoitthetinychainandhoo bywhichithadbeensecuredtotheyounglady'sgirdle.Itclosedwithasilverclasp,andintheopenoutsidepoc etwasafinewhitehand erchiefwithsomeinitialsembroideredinonecorner.

'J.J.,'readDaveslowly.'Thatdon'ttellusmuch,doesit,oldman?'

Iloo edaboutme.Therewasnoonenearus,andontheoppositesideofthebigpavilionthebandwasplaying'AftertheBall.'Ipressedthesilverclasp,andthebaglayopeninmyhand.

'Gad!'exclaimedDave.'Thewomanwhoownsthatisasdaintyasa

princess.'Hewasquiteright.Thelittlebagcontainedonlyasmallsilver-handledpen nife,adaintytabletandpencil,aglove-buttoner,asecondlittlehand erchief,fineandsmoothlyfolded,andtwoletters.

WhenIhadta enoutthesearticlesonebyoneandlaidthemonmy nee,Davetoo thebagfrommyhandandturneditupsidedown.

'Nothingmore,'hesaid,sha inghisheadsagely.'Notabitofcandy;notapowder-pufforperfumesachet.Well,well!Carl,theownerofthislittlearticle,whoeversheis,besidesbeingdaintyandwithout

vanity,isaverycleverlittlewoman,andI'llwagershe'spretty,too.'

Thisoutbrea wassoli eDavethatIonlysmiled,whileIunfoldedthehand erchiefandshoo itoutovermyunoccupied nee.Inonecorner,inexquisitelydaintyembroidery,werethetwoinitials'J.J.,'andwhenDavehadshutthebagandloo edagainattheclosedclasp,hediscovered,finelycutonthemetal,thesameinitials.

'J.J.,'musedDave;'thatsuggestsanynumberofcharmingpersonalities--Juliet,Juno,Jessica.'

'Jane,orJemima,'Isupplemented,ta inguponeoftheletters.

Itwaspost-mar edBoston,andboredatethreedaysbefore,butitgaveusnofurtherinformation.

Throughthename,acrossthemiddleofthesquareenvelope,halfadozenheavylineshadbeenpencilled,andtheseinturnchec edthroughwithlittleverticaldashes;belowwerethes etchily-drawnsupports,whichindicatedabridge,anduponthisbridgeaprocessionofpeoplevaguelyoutlinedastobody,butelaboratedastofacetosuchadegreeofartisticclevernessthatDaveutteredanexclamation


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ofdelight.

'Anartist,uponmysoul!Loo atthosefaces!Gad!butthatiswelldone!Therearetypesforyou,andhardlymorethanthumb-nailportraitsatthat.Butit'sspoiledtheaddress;wecan'tgetJ.J.'snameoutofthat.'

Itwasquitetrue;underthecrossedlinesformingtheplatformofabridge,evidentlyas etchofoneofthestructuresspanningthelagoons,thenamewasquiteconcealed,butbelow,throughthewavingwater-linesandthecurvesofthearch,wecouldreadandguesstheremainderoftheaddress,thus:

'--------------------,'Chicago,'Illinois.'MassachusettsBuilding,World'sFair.'

Iputthisletterdownandtoo uptheotherenvelope.Uponthiswaswrittenawoman'sname,nothingmore,neithertown,county,norstate.

'Conundrum?'commentedDaveovermyshoulder.Justthentherewasasuddenblarefromtheband,andaroarthatalmoststartledmysophisticatednerves.

Iturnedmyeyestowardthearena,whereasplendidwhitehorsenowstood,caparisonedinasortofarmouruponbac andnec ,andpawingimpatiently,whilehewaitedoppositeasortofportableplatformhigherthanthehorse'sbac ,andgailycushionedanddecorated.Agreattawnymalelionwasintheactofleapingfromthegroundtothishighperch.Ihadseenmanyexhibitionsofanimalintelligenceandtraining,butwhenthis ingoflions,utteringasecondmightyroar,leapedtothebac ofthewaitinghorseandrodeabouttheringli eatrainedrider,leapedthroughahoopheldinthemouthofabigspottedboarhound,andotherwiseacquittedhimselfli eanaccomplishedrider,Iforgottheconundrumofthelittleblac bag,andmymissionattheWorld'sFair,andloo edandapplauded,andwas

simplyoneoffivehundredsight-seers.

Itwasuselesstocontend;thecharmwasuponus;thefirstdayattheFairhadusatlastinthrall,andwewatchedthetrainedlions,tigers,bears,andpumas,admiredtheponies,applaudedthedogs,andwonderedatthepluc ywomantrainer,withoutathoughtbeyondthepassingmoment.

Thefeverlasteduntilnighthadfallen,untilwehadtrundledfromendtoendofMidwayinapairofwheeledchairs,visitedtheDahomeyVillage,theOstrichFarm,theChineseTheatre,andthelittlecommunityofquaint,shy,industriousJavanese,leavingitstillinthespiritofadventure,andsauntering,afteradinnerinOldVienna,

hereandtherethroughaveritablefairyland,glittering,glistening,shining,radiantfromthesplendiddomeoftheAdministrationBuilding,withitsgirdlesoffire,itsgreatstatuesshiningunderthegoldenglow,andthelagoonswiththeirlightsandshadows,theirgondolasglidingtoandfrobetweenfloweringban sorilluminatedfaades,withfountainsplaying,musicfillingtheair,andeverywherelaughter,merryvoices,andgaythrongsofenchantedpleasuresee ers.Whatwonderthatwelingeredlong,andthatitwasonlywhenwewereshutbetweenfourwalls,thelightsout,theWhiteCityasleep,thatIthoughtagainofJ.J.andherlostletters;andnow,asIthought,


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thefairblondfaceseemedtorisebeforeme,andIsawagaintheslimfigureflitpastmeonMidway.

Brainerdlaysleepingnearme,andIthoughtofhiscomment,'Aconundrum?'Whynotsearchfortheanswerinthesewhitebillets,and,findingit,ta ethelittleblac bagtothebureauofthe'lostorfound'?

Itoo upthebag,openedit,hesitated,andputitdown.WhyshouldIreadthoselettersfromastranger,andtoastranger?Ileanedoutofthewindowanddran inthelovelinessallaboutme,illuminatedbyafaintyoungmoon.

'Aconundrum?'Itoo uptheletterpost-mar edBoston,andslowlydrewout--ah,itwasmorethanamereletterthatmyhandtouchedthatnight.Ihadputmyfingeruponathreadintheweboffate!

CHAPTERIV.

'ICAN'TMAKEMYSELFLIKEHIM.'

Iamnotsuperstitious,andIcertainlyhadnointimationthenoftheparttheseletterswouldsoonplayinmyWorld'sFairadventures,noroftheuseIshouldma eofthem;butIopenedthatletterwithanuncomfortablefeelingofcuriosityandinterest,andwithoutevenpausingtoloo againatthetinygrotesquefacesofthatlittlebridgeprocessionsoartisticallys etchedupontheenvelope.

Theletter,li eitscover,wasdatedfromBoston,andwasjustfourdaysold.

'Justreceived,'Isaidtomyself,asItoo upthewrappertoloo attheChicagopostmar .'Yes,camelastnight.Shemusthavereadit

thisverymorning,sittinguponsomeoneofthoseshadedseatsonWoodedIsland,andafterreadingitshemusthaveamusedherselfbycopyingthepeoplepassingoverthenearestbridge.Ergo,shemusthavebeenalone.'Mydetectiveinstinctswererousingthemselves;alreadyIwashalfunconsciouslyhandlingthatunreadletterasifitwerea'feature'ina'case.'

Shewasalone,too,whenwemetonMidway;thatis,Isawnocompanion.Coulditbepossiblethattheyoungladywasreallyaloneinthisdenselypopulatedplace?Howabsurd!Iloo edattheletteragain.

Itwaswritteninabeautifulflowinghand,andIsaid,aftera

moment'sscrutiny,'Writteninhasteandunderexcitement.'Therewereeightcloselywrittenpages,andhavingbeguntheirperusal,Ireadtotheendwithoutapause.Theletterwassigned'HildaO'Neil,'andtherewasnostreetnumbernorpost-officebox,onlythenameofthecityfromwhenceitcame,Boston.

HildaO'Neilwasthenamewrittenonthesecondletter,thisandnothingmore;butthisnolongersurprisedme.MissO'NeilwasaNewYor girl,andaguest,atthetimeofwriting,ofthesisterofheraffianced,inBoston.ThisyoungmanwasalreadyinChicago,ma ing


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arrangementsforhisfamily,whoweretocomeassoonasinformedbyhimthatapartmentsinthealreadycrowdedcitywereinwaiting.Theywere'allreadyfortheflitting,'andwerenowwonderingwhy'Gerry'didnotwirethem.Hehadwrittenthathisplans'werenearcompletion,'andthatheshouldtelegraphthemintwoorthreedaysatthelatest,atthetimeofwriting.Thethreedayswerejustabouttoexpire,hencetheexcitementvisibleinthepenmanshipofMissO'Neil.Betwixtimpatienceandanxietysheconfessedherself'growingreallyfidgety,'especiallyas'Gerry'wasalwayssoprompt,'andthen--don'tthin mesilly,dear--but,really,Chicagoissuchawic ed,dangerousplace,especiallynow.'

IsmiledasIreadthisparagraph,andthoughtofMaster'Gerry'doubtlessgivinghimselfalastdayortwooffreedomfromescortduty,andoffun,perhaps,onMidway.Decidedly,detectivesarenotseers.

Andthesecondletter.Sincethefirstdidnottellmehoworwheretofindtheownerofthelittlebag,thislettermust.Andhername--wouldthatberevealed?Iopenedthemissiveandreaditthrough,withsomesurpriseandagreatdealofadmiration.

Ihadbeenrightinmyconjecturesofthewriter.Ifoundhernamesignedinfullatthebottomofherlastthic sheetofcreamy

note-paper;shehadpennedtheletterinherownroomthatverymorning,andhadhelditunsealedandonlyhalfaddresseduntilshehadappliedatherStatepost-officefortheexpectedletterfromherfriend,andthishavingbeenreceived,shehadthrustthenewly-writtenmissiveintothelittlebag,hoping,doubtless,soontomeethercorrespondent,whomightnowbeontheway,andtotellherstory--forthelettercontainedastory--which,doubtless,shewouldmuchprefertodo.

Andnow,somuchcanafewwrittenpagesdo,IalmostfeltthatI newJuneJenrys,forthatwashername,andherfriendHildaO'Neil.

MissO'Neil'sletterhadtoldmefirstsomethingaboutherself:that

shewasapettedandsomewhatspoiledonlydaughter;somethingofanheiress,too,ifonemightjudgefromherprattleaboutcharmingandcostlycostumesandaratherrec lessexpenditureofpin-money;andthatshewasbetrothedtoGeraldTrent,ofthegreatBostonfirmofTrentandSons,withthefullconsentandapprovalofallconcerned.Whatlifecouldbemoreserene?Young,fair,rich;aloverandmanyfriends;andnowenroutefortheWorld'sFair,toenjoyitinherlover'ssociety.Happygirl!theonlylittlespec uponherfairhorizonwhenshepennedthatletterwasthefactthatherdearestfriendandschoolmatewasnotquitesohappy.

AndJuneJenrys?Thetwolettersta entogetherhadtoldmethis:Shewasanorphan,andwealthy,leftinherteenstotheguardianshipof

anaunt,herfather'swidowedsister,awomanoffashionparexcellence.Duringherniece'sminoritythisladyhadtyrannizedallshewould,andnow,MissJenryshavingrecentlycomeofage,sheyettyrannizedallshecould.Theauntwaseagertomateherniecetoamanofherownselectionandaheavypurse.Thenieceuntilrecentlyhadloo edwithsomefavouruponayoungman,handsomeenough--evenMissO'Neiladmittedthat--andagentlemanbeyondquestion,butwithnovisiblefortune.Ashorttimebefore--butIwillletMissJenrystellthismuchofherownstory,quotingfromthefourthpageofherletter:


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'Ididnotmeanitso,really,Hildadear,althoughithasseemedsotoyou.Yousee,IexpectedtomeetyouinBostonerethis,andthatissomuchbetterthanwriting;andnowImustwriteafterall,andinsteadofitsbeingfrommeinBostontoyouinNewYor ,itisfrommehereinthe"WhiteCity"--suchacity,Hilda!--toyouinBoston,andatNellieTrent's.

'Well,youmust nowthis,thatitwasjustafterAuntCharlhad"washedherhandsofme,"matrimoniallyspea ing,forthe--well,forthelasttime;andIwasfeelingveryhighandmighty,andAuntCharlquitesubdued,forher,thatwegaveareception,thelastbeforeLent.Ofcoursehewasthere,andIhadmadeupmymindthatdaythatIwouldbehonestwithmyownheartinspiteofAuntCharl."I'msurehecaresforme,"Isaidtomyself,and--well,I newIli edhimalittle.I newheonlywaitedfortheopportunitytospea ,andwhileIwouldhavediedratherthanhelphimma eit,Isaid,"Ifhedoesfindthechance--ifhedoesspea ,orwhenhedoes--well!"

'Ishallneverforgetthatnight!AuntwasgoodenoughtosaythatIwasloo ingmyverybest.IamsureIfeltso.Butofcourseauntspoileditall--herprettyspeech,Imean.

'"June,"shewheedled,"thathandsomeMauriceVoisinwillbehere,and

Ihappento

nowthatheadmiresyouverymuch.CharlieWiltbysaysheisnoendofaswellinParis,andthatheisreallyarichman,whopreferstobemodest,andavoidsfortune-huntinggirls.Youareoldenoughtosettledown,andwithyourfortuneandhisyoumightbealeaderinParisiansociety.There'snoplaceintheworldwheremoneyandgoodloo stogetherwilldosomuchforoneastheywillinParis."Thin ofit,Hilda!IfIhadnotfeltsoatpeacewithalltheworldjustthen,therewouldhavebeenan--occurrencethenandthere.ButIheldmytongue,andwaseveninclinedtobealittlesorrythataunt'ssillytal wasma ingmefeelagenuineantipathyforM.MauriceVoisinofParisrenown;andreallyatthattimeIhardly newtheman.Heiscertainlyrathergood-loo ing,inadar ,Spanishfashion,andheistallerandsomehowmoremuscular-loo ingthanthe

typicalFrenchman.Heiscertainlypolished,shinesalmosttoomuchformyli ing;butthatmaybe,really,AuntCharl'sfaultratherthanMr.V.'s.Thatnight,atleastbeforesupper,Ihadnowordorthoughtagainsthim.

'ButImustgetonabouthim,andI'llma eitveryshort.You nowhowourconservatoryisarranged,andthatlittlenoo justattheentrancetothelibrary,wherethepalmsaregrouped?Well,Ihaddancedwiththemboth,andhehadjustas edmetogowithhimintotheconservatory,"tositoutawaltz,"whenM.Voisincametoclaimit.Ihadforthemomentforgottenit,andhehadonlytimetosayjustoneword--"after."

'Well,I'llbecandid,ifitdoeshumiliateme;afterthatwaltzIeludedM.Voisin,leavinghimwithAuntCharl,andwentintotheconservatory.

'Itwassoearly,andthedancersstillsofresh,thatnoonewasthereasyet.Ihadbeenstoppedonceortwiceonmyway,andwhenIenteredtheconservatorybywayofthedrawing-room,Ifanciedforamomentthatsomeonewasstandingintheshadowofthepalms,justinsidethelibrarydoor;butIwenton,andreachedthenoo withoutbeingobserved.Isatdown,quiteoutofsight,thin ingthatifhe


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enteredfromtheball-roomthemostdirectwayIshouldseehimfirst.Imaginemysurprise,then,whenalmostinstantlyIheardamovementontheothersideofthemoundoffairypalms,andthenattheveryfirstwordcamemyownname.There!Iwillnotrepeattheshamefulwords,butitwashisvoicethatownedtoanintentionto"honour"mewithaproposal,becausehisfinancesweregettinglow,andhemustchoosematrimonyastheleastoftwoevils,etc.WhileIsatthere,unabletomove,andhalfstunnedbythisawfulinsult,suddenlytherewasaquic rustling,ahalf-stifledlaugh,somewhisperedwords,andthenanothervoicewhichIdidnotatfirstrecognise,said,verynearme,"Ah,good-evening,Mr.--a--Lossing!Charmingspot,really."Thentherewasanothermovement,somelowmutteredwords,andthesoundoffootstepsgoingacrossthemarbletowardthelibrary.Thensuddenly,rightbeforeme,appearedM.Voisin.Icouldnotconcealmyagitation,andgavethesameoldhac neyedreason--heat,fatigue,suddenfaintness.M.Voisinhastenedinsearchofwater,andIdroppedmyfaceuponmyhands,tobearousedthenextmomentbyhisvoice,agitated,hurried,ma ingmeaproposal.Thensomethingseemedtonervemetofury.Isprangup,and,standingerectbeforehim,said:

'"Mr.Lossing,asIamunfortunatelynotinthematrimonialmar et,IfearIcannotbeofassistancetoyou,muchasIregretthatthelowstateofyourfinancesisdrivingyoutosopainfulastep.Allowmetopass!"BeforehecouldreplyIhadsweptpasthim,andmeetingM.

Voisinjustbeyondthepalms,Itoo

hisarmandwentbac

totheball-room.Hilda,prideandangerheldmeupthen,forIfullybelievedhimthemostperfidiousofmen.Butsince,muchasIhatemyselfforit,therearetimeswhenIdoubttheevidenceofmyownsenses,andcannotbelievethatheeversaidthosewords.Thenextmorning,whilemyangerstillblazed,hesentmealetter,whichIreturnedunopened.Thatisall,Hilda.Helefttownthesameday,Ihavebeentold.

'Andnowyouunderstand,doubtless,whyIamhere.M.Voisin,ofcourse,wasnottoblame,butIcouldnotdisconnecthimfromtherestofthehatefulexperience;andsoatthebeginningofLentIpac edmytrun sandsetoutforthecountryandAuntAnn'satGreenwood.Dear

AuntAnn,whoissounli

eAuntCharl!'

ThenfollowedsomedetailsoftheirarrivalattheWorld'sFairandanamusingaccountofthegoodlady'sfirstimpressions,whichweresolargeandsoastoundingthatshewasobligedto'"remainathomeandta etheentiredaytothin thingsoverin."Thin ofit,Hilda,shutupli eahermitjusttwobloc sfromthegate!Isnotthatli enobodyonearthbutsweet,slow,obstinate,countrifiedAuntAnn?--ofwhom,than heaven,Iamnotonebitashamed,inspiteofherSha erbonnet.ButIcan'tloseadayofthiswonder,andfortunatelydearAuntAnnneverdreamsoftabooingmysight-seeing.WhenIproposedtocomealonethismorning,thedearsoulsaid:

'"Well,Ishouldhopetheecould.Onlytwostraightbloc

sbetweenhereandthegateatFifty-seventhStreet,andiftheecanmanagetogetlostwithallthoseguardsandguides,tosaynothingofthemapsandpictures,theeisastupidniece,andtheemayjustgobac tothyAuntCharlotteHavermeyer."IfAuntCharlcouldonlyhearthat!Well,dear,IhavepromisedmyselfahappytimeherewithAuntAnnwhensheisnotoccupiedwithhermeditations,andyourselfsoon,andwithoutAuntC.;but,alas!everybodywillvisittheFair;andyesterday,uponMidway,whomshouldIseebutM.Voisin!HewasattiredasIhaveneverseenhimbefore,quitenglige,you now,andwearinga


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Tur ishfez.Itwasverybecoming.Hedidnotseeme,andforthisIwasthan ful.IdidnotcometotheWorld'sFairtoseeM.Voisin,andeventopleaseAuntCharlIcan'tma emyselfli ehim.'

Iputdownthisletterandsmiledoveritssweetingenuousness,andsingularlyenoughIjoinedthefairwriterinheartilydisli ingM.Voisin.

'Hewasaltogethertooconvenientlynearatthesceneofthatunluc yproposal,'Imutteredtomyself,andthenIturnedtotheotherletter.IwantedtoseewhatIcouldma e,betweenthetwo,outofyoungLossing.

'Ihaveas edyoutwice,'MissO'Neilwrote,'aboutyouraffairwithyoungMr.Lossing.Yourauntisentirelyataloss,onlyshedeclaressheissurethatyouhaverefusedhim,andthatinsomewayhehasoffendedyou;andIthoughthimalmostperfect,a nightsansreproche,etc.;andheissohandsome,andfran ,andmanly.Whathappened,dear?Itissostrangethatheshouldvanishsoutterlyfromsocietywherehewasmadesomuchof;andnooneseemsto nowwherehewent,orwhen,orwhy,orhow.Gerrysayshewasaperfectcompanion,"andashonourableasthesun."There,I'llsaynomore.'

Myreadingwasbro eninuponatthispointbyaprolongedchuc le,

andIloo

eduptoseeBrainerdwideawa

eandstaringatme.'Well,'hequeriedpromptly,'haveyoufoundouthername?'

'Yes;itisJuneJenrys.'AsIspo eIreturnedMissO'Neil'slettertoitsdecoratedenvelope,andreplacedthetwointhebag.'I'lltellyouaboutthem,'Isaid,asIputitaside.SomehowIfeltasuddenreluctanceatthethoughtofseeingthosetwolettersinthehandsandundertheeyesofaninveteratejo erli eDave.'I'mnowiserinthematterofaddress,however.'AndthenItoldhimthepurportofthelettersinthefewestwordspossible.

'Doyou now,'saidDave,whenIhadfinishedmyrecital,'Idon't

li

ethatVoisin,notevenalittlebit.Ithin

he'sabadlot.'

Ismiledatthis.TherewasnotajotofromanceinDaveBrainerd'sma e-up,andnotagreatdepthofimagination;buthewasthe eenestmanonatrail,andtheclearestreasoneramongalargenumberofpic edandtrieddetectives.Itamusedmetothin thatbothhadbeensimilarlyimpressedbythismanashehadbeensetbeforeus;butImadenocomment,andtodrawawayfromasubjectwhichIfeltitbeyondourprovincetodiscussIas ed:

'Dave,whatdidyoumeanthisafternoon,whenweopenedthatbag,bysayingthattheownerwasacleverwoman?Uponwhatdidyoufoundthatremar ?'

'Why,uponthefactthatshedidnotputherpurseinthatconvenient,butconspicuous,littlebag;inconsequenceofwhichsheis,orwas,onlyslightlyannoyed,insteadofbeingseriouslytroubledatitsloss.Bytheway,orrathertogooutoftheway,doyou nowthattheyhaveintheFrenchGovernmentBuildingaveryfineandcompleteexhibitionoftheBertillonidentificationsystem?Iwanttogettoitbrightandearlyinthemorning.'

Imovedtohissideandsatdownuponthebed.Wewerebothadmirers


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ofthisfinesystem,andforsomemomentswediscussediteagerly,aswehaddonemorethanoncebefore;andwhenIputmyheaduponmypillowatlast,itwaswithJ.J.andherinterestsconsignedtoasecondaryplaceinmymind,thefirstbeinggivenovertothiswonderfulFrenchsystem,theprideoftheParispoliceandterroroftheFrenchcriminal.

Butwelittle nowwhataday,oranight,maybringforth.

Someonerappedatourdooratanunpleasantlyearlyhour,andthesummonsbroughtDaveoutofbedwithabound,andinanothermomenthadputallthoughtofthepreviousnightoutofourheads.

'Willyoucometothecaptain'sofficeatonce,gentlemen?'saidavoiceoutside,andIcaughtaglimpseofaguard'sblueuniformthroughthehalfopeneddoor.'There'sbeenabigdiamondrobberyrightunderournoses,andthey'recallingoutthewholeforce.'

CHAPTERV.

'IT'SALLAMIRACLE.'

Itwasevenasthesummoningguardhadsaid,andtheSecretServiceBureauwasinaveryactiveconditionwhenBrainerdandmyselfarrived.

Alreadytelephonemessageswereflying,orhadflown,tothevariousdistricts,andateverygate,than stothealmostperfectsysteminstitutedbySuperintendentBonfield,shrewdand een-eyedmenwereonthealertforanyandallsuspiciouspersonages,andwoetothosewhosedescriptionswerewrittendownintheboo softhesecretservicemen.Theymustbeabletogivegoodaccountofthemselves,ortheirlibertywouldbebrief.

Itwasnotdifficulttoguesswhymyfriendandmyselfhadbeensopromptlysummoned,inspiteofthefactthatalreadymorethanthreehundredmen,traineddetectives,fromourownlargecitiesandfromabroad,wereupondutyhere.

Itwasbecausetheywereonduty,everymanathispost,whateverthatmightbe,andbecauseBrainerdandmyself--havingnewlyarrivedandbeingforthemomentunoccupied--werebothnearandavailable.Because,too,wewerespecials,thatis,notsubjecttoroutineorders.

Therobberyhadreallybeenalargeone,andaboldone.

Acollectionofgems,cutanduncut,belongingtoaforeignexhibit,andplacedalmostinthecentreofoneofthosegreatwell-guardedbuildings,mustbe,onewouldthin ,proofagainstattac .Carefullysecuredintheirtraysandboxes,shutandloc edbehindheavyplatesofglassinbronzedironframes,guardedbydaybytrustedemploysalwaysundertheeyeofmanagerorexhibitor,andbynightbyaguardofdrilledwatchmen,whatcollectioncouldbesafer?

Nevertheless,atnighttherespar ledinthosecrystalprismsalittle


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silverleafwithslightlycurvededges,holdingwhatloo edli eatinyheapofwater-drops,congealedandspar ling,shotthroughbyawintersunbeam;severallargerdiamonds,uncut,butbrilliantandofgreatvalue;someexquisitespecimensofpin topaz,andonegreatlimpid,gleamingemerald,theprideofthefinecollection.Thisatnight.Inthemorning--theywerenot.

Wesatdown,asmallgroup,forwedidnotholdcouncilintheouteroffice,norwithonesuperfluousmember,andbegantofindorma eforourselvesastarting-point.

Thewor hadbeendoneverydeftly.Oneoftheglassplateshadbeencutoutclosetothebronzeframe,andthegemsremoved;butthatwasnotthestrangepartoftheaffair.Intheirplacescounterfeitgemshadbeenput,carefulimitationsoftheoriginals,andtheglassplatehadbeendeftlyputinitsplaceagain.

'Ah!'saidthefussyandhalf-distractedlittlemanwhorepresentedthegreatforeignhousesoneatlydefrauded,'Ah!ifIhadnotcomedownthismorning,notoneothairwouldhaf now.Iamtheoneonlyexpairt.See!Iampraisantwentheplaiceisun-cloase.Istantnear,wensoomsingma eabeegchoc '--hemeantshoc orjar--'antrichttownfallsoutthe lass.WenIhafzeenit,Igoquee antloo atdozeshems.Ach!I nowitawal--'tisfawlzeawal--efferystonzes!'

Thatwasthestory.Theyhadfoundtheglasscut,andfalsegemsinplaceofthetrue.

Whenwehadstemmedthetideofthisforeigneloquence,whichwasnotforsometime,Ias ed:

'Howmany nowofthis?'

'Nopottyatallonlee----'

'Notmorethanhalfadozen,'bro einthechiefofthebureau.'Ofcourseitwouldn'tdo!Thesearenotthethingsthatweli etolet

thepublicinto.Itwouldn'tharmonize.'

'Ah-h-h!'aspiratedthelittleman.'Itwouldtriveawayawalthetiamontmershantstogetheer!U-u-og!'

'Rightyouare,'murmuredDave;andtheninaloudertone,'Canyoutrustyourpeopleto eepsilent?'

'Ah!neffearfe-ur;tay nowitisfortaregoo-et.'

'Wherearethey?'

'Theattendants?'queriedthecaptain.'Twoareinchargeofthe

pavilion,whichremainsclosed.Lauschherewasveryclever;hesentformeatonce,meantime eepingeverythingundercover;andwhenIsawhowthelandlay,Iorderedclosemouthsallaround,andputupacard"Closedforrepairs."ThenIsentforyou,andwecamebac here.Ofcourseyouwillwanttoseetheplace.'

'Theplaceandthepeople,'Isaid,somewhatimpatiently;'andwecan'tgetitovertooquic .'

Wespentthreeofthelongmorninghoursinviewing,firstthecase


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wheretherealgemshadbeen,andnexttheshamsthathadta entheirplace;thenthesurroundings,andlast,andonebyone,thepeopleengagedabouttheLauschpavilion.TheywereallViennese,spea ingtheEnglishlanguagefairlywell,farbetterthanMr.Lauschhimself;andafterwehadquestionedthemcloselyandcarefully,weclosetedourselvestogetheranddiscussedthefew'points'sofargathered,ifpoints,uponinvestigation,theyprovedtobe.

'Carl,'chuc ledmyfriendwhenwewereatlastalone,'oneofourmissionshereatthegreatColumbianExpositionwastohuntdiamondthieves--eh!'

Ofcoursehismeaningwasplaintome,butIchosetodifferwithhim;therewasnobetterwayofrousinghiswits.

'Ofalltheexpertthievesonthetwocontinents,theonlyoneswhowillnotcomeherewillbethosewhosefacesareineveryrogues'galleryintheland,'Ireplied.'Itwouldbetoomuchgoodluc tofindBobandDelbrasmixedupinthisdeal.'

'Andyet,'declaredhe,'Iamwillingtowagerthatit'sthewor ofDelbrasetal.Whobuthewouldhavepreparedhimselfwithafullassortmentofpastejewels.Honestly,oldman,don'tyouagreewithme?'

'Yesterday,'Ireplied,'IwasreadytoswearthatGreenbac BobandhisfriendDelbraswerecirculating,perhapsissuing,thosetwo-dollarGovernmentnotes.'

'Andwhat'stohinderyouthin ingsostill,eh?'

'Onlythatitwouldbetoomuchofafairystorytofindourwor cutoutforusinsuchaway.'

Davethrewonesturdylegacrossthechairnearesthim,andsettledhimselfinhisfavouriteattitudeforanargumentativediscourse.

'Youngman,'hebegan,'ifyoucanfindanythingconnectedwiththisWhiteCitythathassprungoutofthela eandtheprairiethathasnotatouchoftheArabianNightsaboutit,Iwantto nowwhereitis.Canyoushowmeanythingmorefairyli ethanthisfairycity,built,asithasbeen,intheteethoftime?'

'Oh----'

'Itellyouit'sallamiracle,anineteenth-centurymiracle!Tocomedowntofacts,now,youandIcamehereexpectingtofindGreenbacBob,didn'twe?'

'Yes,ofcourse.'

'AndwehavegoodreasontobelievethatDelbrasisalsohere.Notmuchmiracleaboutthat,you'lladmit.'

'No,'Iassented, nowingthathemustreachhisclimaxinhisownway.

'No;Ishouldsayso!Buthereisamiracle,aregularWhiteCitymiracle.IwonderifDelbrasandcompany nowthat--leavingacoupleofthousandofblue-coatedColumbianguardsoutofthequestion,and


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they'rebrightfellows,letmetellyou--thereareherethreehundredandoddpic eddetectives,asquadateverygate,andeverygateandeverydistrictconnectedbytelephonewiththemainofficehere.Letasuspiciouscharacterappear,clic goesthenearesttelephone,sendingtheman'sdescriptiontoheadquarters,andthen,clic ,clic ,clic ,toeverydistrict,everygate,everyman,goesthissamedescription.Oh,thecroo swhosefacesare nownwillfindawarmwelcomehere!It'sonlythefinewor ers,whohavebeensosuccessfulthattheyarenotwell nown,whocanma ehayinthisplace.'

'Allthesame,'Iheresubmitted,'forsuchfellowsasDelbrasandhisil ,who nowtheworldonbothcontinents,thisisapromisingfield,inspiteofthetelephonesystemandthedetectivesinplainclothesateverygate.'

'Ashow?'

'Tothemanwhocanspea severaltongues,andisanadeptatdisguise,thisFair,withitscitizensfromeveryclime,willbeabetterplaceforconcealmentthanLondon,Paris,andNewYor rolledintoone.'

Davegaveutterancetoalong,lowwhistle,andjer edhimselftoanuprightposition.

'You'rerightagain!'hecried.'Come,let'sgetdowntobusiness.What'syourideaaboutthisrobbery?'

'Aboutthesameasyours,Ifancy.'

'Andwhat'sthat?'

Itoo outmynoteboo ,whereinIhadjotteddownthemostimportantitemsoftestimonyelicitedfromtheLauschattendants,saying:

'Getoutyournotes,Dave;let'sseehowtheyagree.'Daveproducedhisownbriefernotes,andIbeganrunningmyfingerslowlydownthe

pages.

'Itwasdoneduringtheday.'

'Ofcourse!'impatiently.

'Andslowly--thatis,alittleatatime.'

'Howslowly?'

'Well,forinstance,Lauschhimselftoldofayoungwomanwhowasmuchta enwiththepin topazdisplay--youremember?'

'Yes;'beginningtosmilebehindhisboo

.

'Hesaidthatsheworeacoatwithadeepcape,andthatsherestedonearmuponthecase.'

'Well,Ididwonderwhatthewoman'sdresshadtodowithit.'Gad,butyouquestionedthosepeopleuntilIbegantofeelsorryforthem.Whatfigure,now,isthedressli elytocut?'

Ilaughed.


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'Inthiscaseletussupposethattheyoungwomanisoneofthegang.'

'Oh!'

'Andletusfancythatwhileshepeeredatthepin topaz--yourememberLauschtoldusthatsheexcusedhernearnessbysayingthatshewasverynear-sighted?'

'That'sso.'

'Well,whileloo ingatthegems,withherfacebentoverthecase,onearmupontheedge,andwiththevoluminouscapeoutspread,whatistopreventherusingtheotherhandandarmtodrawadiamondpointslowlyandheavilyalongtheglass,closetothemetal?'

'ByJove!whatindeed?'

'Andwhymaynotthisactberepeated,threeorfourtimes,say,bythesamewoman,slightlychangedastodress,asshecouldhavebeen?Lausch,yourecall,accostedher.'

'Yes.'

WhenDavegrewlaconicI

newhimtobealmostconvinced.'Youwillrecallhoweachoftheattendantsrememberedoneormoreinstancesofpersonslingeringlongnearthegems,orcrowdingsocloseastoattracttheattentionofsomeofthem.'

'Umph!'

'AndLauschdistinctlyrememberedhowagood-naturedguardcametohisaidjustashewasabouttoclosehisexhibits,andstoodwithhisbac tothecase,andhisarmscarelesslyoutspreadupontheedgechaffingwithagroupoflatesight-seers,and eepingthemfromannoyinghim(Lausch)whilehemadethingssecure.NowIdon'tsay

thatitwasdone,butIcanseehowthatguardmighthaveplayedintothehandsofthegang,whomighthavebeenathandthreeorfourstrong.Observe,thecaseswerehighattheinnersidesandshallowatthefront,andwhilethetopsheetofglass,forpurposesofdisplay,wasalargeone,thoseformingtheoutersideweresmallandsetintostoutbronzedsquaresnottoexceedseveninchesindepthandteninlength.Now,wewillnotethatthebac ofthecase,besidesbeinghigherthanthefront,isnotofglass,butofwood,toadmitoftheuseofamirrorforlining,andtodoubletheshowandglitterofthegems.'

'Upon--my--word!'

'Nowletussupposeourguardasstandingbeforethecaseanddirectlyinfrontofthediamonds.Heisfacingoutward,andbeforehim,hoveringclose,aresomeothers,twoorthree,ormore.Ontheothersidesoftheoctagonalpaviliontheotherassistantsarebusy"closingup."Lauschinpersonpresidesatthesmallsafeinthecentreoftheplace.Now,whileheisbusy,withhiseyesavertedforamoment,ahandthrustundertheoutstretchedarmoftheguardmaygentlypresssomethingadhesiveagainstthealreadycutglassandpullitout,andsoon,whenLauschbendsdowntoopenthesafe,ortoplacesomearticletherein,thehanddrawsoutthelittletrayofgems;it


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wassmall,andcouldhavebeenconcealedunderoneofthosewrapsthrownconvenientlyacrossthearm.Now,alittlerusetosubstitutethefalsegemsandreplacetheglassundertheguard'sconcealingarm,andthethingisdone.Ifitallhappenedattheclosinghour,whenthebigbuildingwasshadowyandonecouldseeclearlyonlyashortdistance,wheneveryexhibitorwasoccupiedwithhisown,andvisitors,forthemostpart,wereintentuponreachingthenearestexit--itwasboundtosucceed.Ofcoursethisisalltheory,but----'

'It'stheexplanationofthattheft,orI'masinner!'criedDave,jumpingupandbeginningtopacethefloornervously.'Carl,oldman,I'llneverchaffyour"bumpofimagination,"afterto-day.I'mreadytobeginwor onjustthattheory.'

'Steady,steady,Dave.'

'Allright,sir;atleastwecanma eabeginning--wecanfindthatguard.'

'How?'

'Ta ehisdescriptionfromLausch--findoutwhowasdetailedhere----'

Iputupmyhand,andhestopped--staring.

'Dave,thereisnotaColumbianguardontheforcewhowould,orcould,haveplayedthatpart--ifitwasplayed.Itwassimplyoneofthebandwearingaguard'suniform.'

Myfriendsatdownoppositeme,andforsometimenotawordpassedbetweenus.Thenhetoo uphisnoteboo ,and,drawingasmalltabletowardus,said:

'Let'sgooverthegroundslowly,andseeifthereisanythingheretocorroborateyourtheory,ortopointtoanyotherconclusion.'

AndnowI newthatDavewasfixed,sofarashisopinionswere

concerned,andthatwhilehemightdeclarehimselfconvincedbymywisdom,hehadbeenallthetimesimplyestablishinghisownconvictions,andthathewasnowreadyforearnestwor .

Itwassometimebeforewecameoutfromthesuperintendent'slittleinnersanctum,butwewerenowquitereadytobeginourcampaign;andwhenweweregivencarteblancheastomethods,andwerepromisedasmanymenaswemightneedforthewor ,wecouldas fornothingmore,orbetter.

Ourfirstdemandwasperemptory.Theremustbenopublicity;nowordoftherobberymustreachthevigilantreporterswhowereeverywhereinsearchofnews.

Next,wecausedanaccuratedescriptionofGreenbac Bobtobesenttoallthegatesanddifferentdistricts,withordersforaninstantreportofthefactshouldhebeseen,andthatonceseenhemustbeconstantlyshadowed.

BeforewelefttheplacewehadarrangedwithLauschtoputamanofourownchoosingintothepavilion,whosebusinessitwouldbeto eepconstantwatchoverhispeople.Forwhilehewasreadytovouchfortheirhonesty,wewerenot;rather,wewerenotwillingtoletany


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possibilityofaclueescapeus.Asecondmanwasplacedwherehecouldcultivatethesepeople,andasmuchaspossibleoutsideofbusinesshours.Notthatweexpectedmuchfromthis,forwehadseennoslightestsignofdishonestyamongthesepeople,whoseemedtoshunallsocietyandtohavenoacquaintancesoutsidetheirownpavilion.

Afterconsideringlong,wedecidednottobringthenameofDelbrasintothecase,ortoattempttosetanywatchuponhimintheregularway.To'locate'Delbrasshouldbeourownespecialwor ,andtofreshenourmemorieswereviewedtheinformationfurnishedourchiefbytheFrenchcommissaire.

Sofaraswas nowntherewasnopictureofhimextant,andtheFrenchreportdescribedhimaboutasfollows:

'Nationality,French;age,probablyaboutthirtytothirty-threeyears;height,sixfeet,ornearly;weight,onehundredandseventy-fivepounds,approximate;figuregood;squareshoulders,militaryair;features,regular;thinlipped;chinsharplypointed;wearsattimesheavybeard,atothersmoustacheandgoatee;eyesdar ,calledblac ;hairsame,heavy,andsometimeswornquitelong;handswell ept,withlongslenderfingers;spea sEnglishperfectly,accomplished,etc.;asmalltriangularscarupontempleclosetoroots

ofhair.KnowntohavebeeninParisandLondoninearlywinter,andtohavecrossedtoNewYor aboutJanuary1st.ReturnedtoParissometimeinMarch,andcrossedlasttoNewYor inearlyMaybysteamerNormandie.'

'Well,'hadbeenDave'scommentaswereperusedthissummaryofM.Delbras,'hemaydisguisehimselfinmanyways,buthecan'tchangehisheightverymuch,northecolourofhiseyes,norhis"regularfeatures"'--Dave'sfeatureswerenotstrictlyregular,anditwasawea nessofhisalwaystoresentthisdescriptivephrase--'norhisslimfingers,northescaronhistempleclosetotherootsofthehair.'

WehadspentalongmorningintheroomsoftheSecretServiceBureau,andaswewereabouttota eleave,withbutastepbetweenusandtheouterdoor,itwashastilyopenedandaguardentered,followedbytwopeoplewhomIrecognisedasFarmerandMrs.Camp.Withabac wardstepandaquic glanceatDave,Iturnedanddeliberatelyseatedmyself.

Theonlyoccupantsoftheouterofficeatthemomentoftheirentryweretheofficerincommand,whohadjustaccompaniedusfromtheinneroffice,andthesubordinatewhowasinchargeofthisouteroffice,wherecomplaintswerereceivedandfirsthearingsgranted.

Ihaddrawnbac quic ly,buttheeyeofMrs.Campwasstill een,

thoughsheloo

edatriflesubdued.

'Thegoodland!'sheejaculated,catchingatherhusband'sarm.'Here'soneof'emnow,Camp!They'vecaughthim,anyhow!'

ThewordsfurnishedDavewithacluetothesituation,andhedroppedintoachairbesideme,and,afteronedrollloo inmydirection,gavehimselfuptoafitofsilentmirth.

Meantimetheguardhadadvancedwithdignityandannouncedtothe


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officeratthedes :

'Thismanhasacomplainttobring,sir.'

'Wait!'ItwasMrs.Camp,standingdeterminedlynearthedoorofentrance,whospo e.'Aforeyouma eacomplaint,AdamCamp,aboutaras ilthatain'there,s'poseyoujestma esurethatthishereonethatishereinourmidstdon'tgitaway.'

CHAPTERVI.

ACRIMINALHUNT.

Now,IhadtoldtheofficerincommandmybeliefandsuspicionsconcerningthecounterfeitbusinesswhichIbelievedwasgoingonaboutus,andhadbeentoldthattwoofthecounterfeitbillshadalreadybeenbroughttohisnoticeandcapturedwithinthewee ;andDavehadinsisteduponhishearingthestoryofmyabsurdarrestbytheguards,andnowitonlyneededaloo fromme,andthesightofDave'sconvulsedface,toma ethesituationplaintohim.Hestepped

forward,butbeforehecouldspea

anewthoughthaddartedintoDameCamp'sactivemind.

'La!'shefinished,'Is'pose,cometothin ,he'sbeenbroughtherenowtobetried,ain'the?'

Withtheshadowofasmileuponhisface,theofficerturnedtowardthefarmer.

'Whatisyourcomplaint?'heas edcourteously;andheshotmeaglancewhichI newmeant,'Lethimtellhisownstory.'Andnow,beingauthorizedtospea ,FarmerCampbegantotell,inhisownhomelyway,thestoryofthe'greenbac swindle,'ashetermedit.

WhenhehadreachedthepointinthenarrativewhereImademyunluc

yattempttorouttheswindlers,heturnedtowardme.

'I'vehadanideesence,thoughmywifedidn'tagreewithmemuch'--herecameanaudiblesnifffromMrs.Camp--'thatthishereyoungmanmight'a'meantwell,afterall,andwewusalittlemitehasty;but,yesee,he'dbeena-loo in'atussolong,an'mywife'dbeena-noticin'it,havin'hermind indo'sotli eonconfidencepeopleandsech,thatshefelt indo'oneasyathissharploo s--theywusso een,shesaid,an'soquic toloo away,shegotnervous,andsaidshefeltasifhewusa-loo in'rightintermypoc ets.'

'Therenow,Camp,youneedn'tbea-excusin'me!Istic termyidee.

Anyonecanseethattheyoungfellerain'tinnocent,elsesomebody'd'a'spo efurhim,fustoff----'

HereDaveexplodedaudibly,andtheofficerchec edherwithamotionofhishand.

'Letmesettlethispointatoncebytellingyou,madam,thatthegentlemanyouhaveaccusedisanofficerhighinhisprofession,andsentheretoprotectthepublicandloo aftercriminals.Hehadbutjustarrived,anditwasbecauseofthisthathewaswithouthis


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officer'sbadge,whichwouldatoncehaveputthosementorouthaditbeenwornanddisplayedtothem.Letmetellyounow,topreventfurthermista es,thatthedetectivesuponwhomwerelyingreatestemergenciesarealwaystobefoundincitizen'sclothes,andtheyarenotli elytodisplayabadge,exceptwhennecessary.'

LongbeforetheendofthisspeechconsternationwaswrittenalloverthefaceofAdamCamp,buthiswifewasmadeofsternerstuff,andwhenherbetterhalfhadstutteredandflounderedhalfthroughasufficientlyhumbleapology,directed,ofcourse,towardmyself,shebro einuponhiseffort,nowhitabashed:

'There,Camp,it'seasyenoughterseehowwecameterma esechamista e,andI'msuretheyoungmanwillbearnomaliceto'ardacoupleoffol soldenoughterbehisparients.'Twasthemsharp-loo in'eyesthatsetmeternoticin'ye,whenyouwasloo in'overCampfustoff,downtotheAdministrationBuilding,andwhenyouwentan'sotdownonthesetteebyhim,an'thengotupan'followedussofur,whatwasItothin ?Youwasa-watchin'ussureenough,onlyyoumeantwellbyit.But,landsa es!insechaplace,whereeverybodyistryin'toloo outfurnumberone,Ididwhatloo edmydooty.I'mwillin'toas yerpardon,though,andIain'tgoin'terbearnomalice.'

Overwhelmedbythismagnanimity,Imurmuredmythan

sandcompletesatisfactionwithheramendehonorable,andtriedtoturntheoccasiontosuchprofitasmightbebyquestioningthemanalittle.

'Youweresayingthatyouchangedabill,orwereabouttodoso.Didthemanma eanydifficultyafterIleftyou?'

'No,sir.Heseemedina indofahurry,andmadeouttobeonsartinwhetherhecouldsparesomuchsmallmoney,ashecalledit.Butfinallyhecountedoutarollofbills,andhadmecountthemafterhim.'

'There--inthecrowdwhereyoustood?'

'Wal,no.Hetoo ustoonesidealittle--rightinbehindtheplacewherethelittlemanwasa-sellin'canes--sortofupag'instapartition,andtherewemadethedic er.'

'Andheleftyourightaway?'queriedtheofficerincharge.

'Yes--jestaboutasquic ashecould.'

'Andtheother,'Ias ed,'themanwhotoo youtothisagent--themanwiththelargeSabbath-schoolclass?'

'Oh!heas edustogototheterminusstationwithhimandseehis

youngmen;butmywifewantedtoseethings,andwejestwentasfurasthedoor,outofperliteness.'

'Andwhendidyoudiscoverthatyouhadbeenswindled?'

'Wal,M'riarwantedtorideinoneofthemcoopythingswithaman-hossbehindandbefore;andwhenshegotreadytogetout,whichwaspurtysoon,Igiveoneofthemfellersatwo-dollarsoovyneerbill,buttheymadeagreatjabberingaboutit,andM'riarsays,saysshe,"Iguesstheyain'tgotthechange;"soIfishedoutsome


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pennies,andadimeandtwopostagestamps,andafterabittheytu'emandwaddledoff.Thenwegottoloo in'upanddown,andwedidn'thavenomore'casiontousemoney--M'riarwassobusyseein'thefol sandtheirclo's--tillwegothungry,andthencometherumpus.WhenIcometopaythebill,theywasareg'larhowl,an'wecomemightynearbein'marchedofftothecalaboose,same'syouwas.TheysaidthebillIoffered'emfirstoff,an'alltherest,wascounterfeit.'

UntilnowBrainerdhadta ennopartinthedialogue;butnow,withaquic glanceinmydirection,heas ed;

'Willyoudescribethemanwhogaveyouthemoney--thesupposedagent?'

Camppondered.'Wal,'hebegan,'hewastall,'smuchassixfoot,Ishouldsay,an'hiseyeswereblac an'big.Hishairwasconsid'ablelong,andhehadagooddealofitonhisfaceinabigbushymoustache.Hehadaslimnose--andheworeabigdi'mondonhislittlefinger.'

'Didyounoticehishands?'

'M--no.'

'Wal,Idid!'interposedhiswife.'Iseenthedi'mond,ef'twasadi'mond.Hishandswaswhite--realwhite,'longsideofhisface,andtheyloo edli ereg'larclaws;sechlongfingersandpointednails.'

'Ah!'Daveshotmeaglancefullofmeaning.'Now,Mrs.Camp,youseemaveryobservingwoman.Willyoudescribetheotherman--thegentlemanwiththeSabbath-schoolclass?'

Thewoman'sheadbecameevenmoreerect,andherloo morefirmandconfidentthanbefore.'Yes,'shesaidatonce;'Ican.'Shecasthereyesabouther,and,seeingavacantchairnearherinterlocutor--theonelatelyvacatedbymyself--sheseatedherselfdeliberately,andbegan:

'Hewasn'tmuchtoloo at;aboutasbigasyou,mebbe,andabout

AGAINST ODDS by LAWRENCE L. LYNCH

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Transcript of AGAINST ODDS by LAWRENCE L. LYNCH