A Girl of Grit; A Story of the Intelligence Department (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER II AT THE "INTELLIGENCE" OFFICE As I left the bank, where I had been most cordially received, with my sovereign purse full and the nice crisp notes for 250 carefully put by in my pocket-book, I began at last to believe in my fortune. There is a solid, unmistakable reality in the chink of good gold, while the supple civility of the great financiers, who had so lately looked black at my overdrawn account, proved how completely my position was changed. The morning's adventures and surprises had occupied much time, and it was now getting late, past noon, in fact. We members of the Intelligence made it a point of honour to be in good time at the office--an hour or more earlier than this. It had hardly occurred to me that I need not go to the office at all. You see, I had been some thirteen years under discipline, and not many hours an arch-millionaire. Besides, there is such a thing as esprit de corps. I was a public servant, engaged in responsible work, and I could not, would not, have neglected it willingly; no, not for the wealth of the Indies. So I stepped briskly down the steps below the Duke of York's Column, and crossed the park at my very best pace. For all that, I was overtaken near Birdcage Walk by someone who hailed me without coming quite close. "One word, sir, I pray, in your own best interests. But, sakes alive, keep back that cussed hound. He is a fine beast, I make no doubt, but I'd rather he didn't smell my pants." "Quiet, Roy My dog will not harm you," I said civilly. "But, at this moment, I am very much pressed "--"If you will allow me to walk with you a few yards, no more, I reckon I could make it plain to you that I have a good excuse for intruding upon your valuable time." The park was as open to him as to me, and when he r...