"Thanks, I'll have a little chat with my friend, if you don't
think it will do him any harm."

"He is better now, sir. We feared he was fatally injured when
they brought him in. I'll be outside in the corridor if you need
anything."

She left not without an admiring look at the big chap, wondering
why he wore such disreputable superstructure with patent leather
pumps and silk hose showing below the ragged overcoat. Strange
sights come to hospitals, curiosity frequently leading to
unprofitable knowledge: so she was silently discreet. Shirley's
garb was not unobserved by the detective chief. Monty laughed
reminiscently at the questioning glance.

"These are my working clothes--a fine combination. I nabbed two
of the gang. But what became of you?"

"Outside that club door, I wanted to save time for us both. I
took the first taxi in sight. Before I could even call out to
you, the door slammed on me, the shades flopped down, the car
started up--the next thing I knew this here nurse was sticking a
spoon in my mouth, a-saying: 'Take this--it's fine for what ails
you!'"

"I wonder if it could have been the same machine they left at Van
Cleft's? I will tell you how things progressed." So he did,
leaving out only the confidence of Professor MacDonald. The
Captain became feverishly excited, until Shirley abjured him to
beware of a relapse. "You must be calm, for the next twenty-four