Perkins was confident that he had found his man, and he
hastened to overtake him.
Pardon me, sir," said Perkins, touching the man's shoulder,
" may I speak with you a moment ?"
The stranger eyed Perkins sharply, but replied respectfully,
" What can Ido for you ?" " I represent the Tribune" said
Perkins, and I would like "
" I have nothing for pUblication," was the abrupt reply and the
man turned away.
Perkins was baffled for a moment, but he must have that man's
name. Begging the gentleman's pardon most profusely, he pro
fessed to have mistaken him for one Anderson.
" No, mil my name is Jaimeson!"
" Oh, yes; I remember now. You're at the Auditorium."
" No, the Lex—; you're entirely mistaken," said he, im
patiently facing about.
This was as much as Perkins could hope for now, and jotting
down in his note book " Jameson, Lexington Hotel," he returned
to the city.
" That's a queer customer," thought he. " He's the first
foreigner I ever struck that wouldn't give 'all his spare change to
see his name in the paper. But what eyes that woman had—so
dark and deep, yet so soft! She's a Spaniard, all right. Mighty
peculiar! There's a story worth getting."
Occasionally a reporter meets a man who will not be inter
viewed, though seldom, for most people prefer to formulate their
own statements rather than to leave that matter to the gentle dis
interestedness of the reporter; but as Perkins was shown up to
Jaimeson's apartments at the Lexington that night, he began to
think his a bootless errand.
" He's certainly putting money into circulation," was his
mental comment. " These are the Lexington's finest rooms, and
cannot cost him less than fifty dollars a day."
A frown shot across Jaimeson's face as he recognized his caller,
but it vanished instantly and he assumed the utmost cciurtesy.
Greatly encouraged, Perkins began to have visions of his " scoop,"
and in his most persuasive manner, born of years' experience 'in
making unwilling people ;talk, he began, first trying to interest
his host with his knowledge of the city's more hidden interest.
Jaimeson was willing to talk; yes, but too courteous. He 'gave
Perkins the 'choicest cigar he 'ever smoked and treated 'him 'as 'a
The Free Lance,
[OCTOBUR,