The Crimson Patch

moment in bewilderment. It

le mam'selle?" he questioned.

danger—that both she and I are in danger, and she was trying to warn me about it. But she spoke so low, and she hesitated so, and then, j

'phone on the q.t., an' she was probably scared stiff for fear she'd be caught, an' she had to leave

ger and I'm here all alone, except for Mrs. Quale's Delia, who is with me for to-night. It's dreadful. Just dreadful! I don't know which way to turn. I'd call up the police and put the thing in their hands if I dared.

the matter to me. I know I'm only a bell-hop, but I know a whole heap more'n most folks think I do; an' bein' only a bell-hop is th

driving at and I really trust you absolutely. But wha

et what-for down in the office for bein' away so long, anyhow. But I don't care. All in the day's work! Now, I figure it this way. 129There ain't anything dangerous goin' to happen to you to-night in this here hotel. You're as safe as a church here as long as yo

order an' it runs like a bird!) an' I'll cruise around all night. An' every once in a while I'll turn up in the park right below your windows an' hang around a while an' whistle, 'It's a long, long trail.' You'll hear me

just as well sit up and try to read or sew. I'll keep the lights full on, and I'll follow your advice about calling up the office if I think everything's not all right.

off, an' I don't have to show up here at all till ten-thirty

uale may not be back till night, and I'm sure Father won't. I suppose I'm silly, but this thing is so dr

you'll hear more about that from me later. All I say about to-morrow is this: go down to breakfast as usual

oo—and we don't even know where she is or what the danger is. Yet I feel as if we ought t

rther," interrupted the boy. "I ain't 132got time to tell you all I plan to do, but you can bet your bo

red, closing the door be