n of affairs.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

'A MERCYFUL DISPENSAYSHUN.'

As I left the Exposition grounds and came out upon Stony Island Avenue
I looked at my watch, for I had in mind much that I wished to
accomplish before night came on. It was nearing three o'clock, and I
hastened my steps.

Glancing about as I put away my watch, in the hope that I might see
Billy or Dave, as they from time to time shifted their place of
observation, I saw, to my annoyance, on the opposite side, but coming
toward me almost directly across the street, Mrs. Camp. Her eyes were
fixed upon me, and when she had reached the middle of the highway she
waved her arm in frantic gesture, which, in spite of my haste, brought
me to an instant standstill, knowing as I did that she was quite
capable of shouting out my name should her signal be ignored.

As she came nearer I saw that her eyes were staring wildly, and her
face wore a look so strange and excited that for a moment I feared
that the marvels of Chicago and the Fair had unsettled her reason, and
her first words did not altogether reassure me.

'If this ain't a mercyful dispensayshun,' she panted, stopping
squarely before me, 'then I don't know what is! I was goin' to hunt
ye up jest as fast as feet c'd travel, an' I never spected to be so
thankful for knowin' a perlece officer ez I be ter-day. My!' catching
her breath and hurrying on; 'if I couldn't 'a' seen to gittin' them
wretches arristed afore night, I'd 'a' had a nightmare sure, an' never
slep' a wink!'

'Mrs. Camp,' I broke in, 'not so loud, please.'

'Ugh!' The woman suddenly dropped her loud tone and looked nervously
around. She was trembling with excitement, and the colour came and
went in her tanned cheeks.

And now, to my surprise, I noted dangling from her arm beneath the
loose wrap, which she wore very much askew, a black something, which,
as she lifted her arm to pass her hand across her twitching lips, I
perceived was an ear-trumpet attached to a long black tube such as is
used by the deaf, and my fears for her sanity were increased.

'Mrs. Camp,' I said, in a soothing tone, 'you seem exhausted; let me
take you to your rooms, if they are not too far, and you can talk
after resting.'

Something in my tone or look must have enlightened her as to my
thoughts, for she suddenly broke into a short, nervous laugh.

'Oh, I ain't crazy! Though I don't blame ye if ye thought so,' she
said, with an attempt at composure. 'I