, unus Fata renarrabat Divum,
cursusque docebat, Conticuit taudem--"

[Hack Latin, of course, but then, you know, if one does quote Latin,
that is the only sort that can be understood by the general reader.]

The conclusion of my story produced a marked effect. O'Halloran roused
himself and sat erect with a smile on his face and a good natured
twinkle in his eyes. Miss O'Halloran lowered her eyes and held down her
head, and once, when I reached that point in my story where the bird
was flown, she absolutely laughed out. Marion's solemn and beautiful
face also underwent a change. A softer expression came over it; she
raised her eyes and fixed them with burning intensity on mine. Her
hands relaxed the rigid clasp with which they had held one a another,
and she settled herself into an easier position on the chair.

"Well, be jakers!" exclaimed one O'Halloran when I had concluded, "it
bates the wurruld. What a lucky dog ye are! Advintures come tumblin'
upon ye dee afther dee. But will ye ivor foind the leedee?"

I shook my head.

"I'm afraid not," said I, disconsolately. "I put out that advertisement
with a faint hope that the lady's sympathy with the unfortunate driver
might lead her to make herself known."

At this point the ladies rose. It getting late, and they bade adieu and
retired. Marion went out rather abruptly, Miss O'Halloran rather
slowly, and not without a final smile of bewitching sweetness. I was
going too, but O'Halloran would not think of it. He declared that the
evening had just begun. Now that the ladies were gone we would have the
field to ourselves. He assured me that I had nothing in particular to
do, and might easily wait and join him in "something warrum."

Chapter XVII.

"SOMETHIN' WARRUM."

I must say I was grievously disappointed at the departure of the
ladies. It was late enough in all conscience for such a move, but the
time had passed quickly, and I was not aware of how late it was.
Besides, I had hoped that something would fall from them that would
throw light on the great mystery. But nothing of the kind occurred.
They retired without saying any thing more than the commonplaces of
social life. What made it worse was, the fact that my story has
produced such a tremendous effect on both of them. That could not be
concealed. They evidently knew something about the lady whom I had
rescued; and, if they chose, they could put me in the way of discovery.
Then, in Heaven's name,