The Voice of the City | Page 7

"Eggs cheaper than anywhere else in the city."
As Hopkins ran he became aware of a big, low, red, racing automobile
that kept abreast of him in the street. This auto steered in to the side of
the sidewalk, and the man guiding it motioned to Hopkins to jump into
it. He did so without slackening his speed, and fell into the turkey-red
upholstered seat beside the chauffeur. The big machine, with a dimin-
uendo cough, flew away like an albatross down the avenue into which
the street emptied.
The driver of the auto sped his machine without a word. He was
masked beyond guess in the goggles and diabolic garb of the chauffeur.
"Much obliged, old man," called Hopkins, grate- fully. "I guess you've
got sporting blood in you, all right, and don't admire the sight of two
men trying to soak one. Little more and I'd have been pinched."
The chauffeur made no sign that he had heard. Hopkins shrugged a

shoulder and chewed at his cigar, to which his teeth had clung grimly
through- out the melee.
Ten minutes and the auto turned into the open carriage entrance of a
noble mansion of brown stone, and stood still. The chauffeur leaped out,
and said: "Come quick. The lady, she will explain. It is the great honor
you will have, monsieur. Ah, that milady could call upon Armand to do
this thing! But, no, I am only one chauffeur."
With vehement gestures the chauffeur conducted Hopkins into the
house. He was ushered into a small but luxurious reception chamber. A
lady, young, and possessing the beauty of visions, rose from a chair. In
her eyes smouldered a becoming anger. Her high- arched, threadlike
brows were ruffled into a delicious frown.
"Milady," said the chauffeur, bowing low, "I have the honor to relate to
you that I went to the house of Monsieur Long and found him to be not
at home. As I came back I see this gentleman in combat against bow
you say - greatest odds. He is fighting with five - ten - thirty men -
gendarmes, aussi. Yes, milady, he what you call 'swat' one - three -
eight policemans. If that Monsieur Long is out I say to myself this
Gentleman be will serve milady so well, and I bring him here."
"Very well, Armand," said the lady, "you may go." She turned to
Hopkins.
"I sent my chauffeur," she said, "to bring my cousin, Walter Long.
There is a man in this house who has treated me with insult and abuse. I
have complained to my aunt, and she laughs at me. Ar- mand says you
are brave. In these prosaic days men who are both brave and chivalrous
are few. May I count upon your assistance?"
John Hopkins thrust the remains of his cigar into his coat pocket. He
looked upon this winning creature and felt his first thrill of romance. It
was a knightly love, and contained no disloyalty to the flat with the
flea-bitten terrier and the lady of his choice. He bad married her after a
picnic of the Lady Label Stickers' Union, Lodge No. 2, on a dare and a
bet of new hats and chowder all around with his friend, Billy McManus.
This angel who was begging him to come to her rescue was something
too heavenly for chowder, and as for hats - golden, jewelled crowns for
her!
"Say," said John Hopkins, "just show me the guy that you've got the
grouch at. I've neglected my talents as a scrapper heretofore, but this is

my busy night."
"He is in there," said the lady, pointing to a closed door. "Come. Are
you sure that you do not falter or fear?"
"Me?" said John Hopkins. "Just give me one of those roses in the bunch
you are wearing, will you?"
The lady gave him a red, red rose. John Hopkins kissed it, stuffed it
into his vest pocket, opened the door and walked into the room. It was a
handsome library, softly but brightly lighted. A young man was there,
reading.
"Books on etiquette is what you want to study," said John Hopkins,
abruptly. "Get up here, and I'll give you some lessors. Be rude to a lady,
will you?"
The young man looked mildly surprised. Then he arose languidly,
dextrously caught the arms of John Hopkins and conducted him
irresistibly to the front door of the house.
"Beware, Ralph Branscombe," cried the lady, who had followed, "what
you do to the gallant man who has tried to protect me."
The young man shoved John Hopkins gently out the door and then
closed it.
"Bess," he said calmly, "I wish you would quit reading historical novels.
How in the world did that fellow get in here?"
"Armand brought