He bashfully greeted Dido, and she introduced him to Richard as “Mr. Martin Shanks, who boards with some friends upstairs.” He held out his big hand to Dick, saying: “Glad to make yer acquaintance, sir!” all the while blushing vividly. “We ran against you in the hall, I think,” ventured Dido. “Yes, I was standin’ there when you came,” he answered, slowly, shooting a glance from under his brows at Maggie. Maggie looked down, and Dido was surprised to see her blush. She would have been more surprised if Maggie had told her that this great, big, hulking man had stood guard at her door every night since her mother died. “I should jedge you don’t belong to this yer neighborhood,” he remarked to Richard, shooting forth a jealous look. “You are correct,” replied Richard, pleasantly. “What might yer business be?” he demanded further, nervously turning his hat. “Down here, or my professional employment?” asked Richard, waking up. “What do ye do fer a livin?” “Oh! I see. I’m a lawyer,” Dick replied, glibly. “A lawyer, eh? An’ I take it as yer not a married man, else ye wouldn’t be payin’ attentions to this ’ere orphan girl.” “You don’t understand,” Maggie interrupted, startled. “Dido was in trouble and Mr. Treadwell found her and brought her here.” “Martin should mind his own business,” exclaimed Dido, indignantly. “If this was my house I would show him the door.” “Not on my account,” interposed Dick, warmly. “If Mr. Shanks is a friend of the family he has a right to know the reason of a stranger being here.” “These young girls ’ere, sir,” explained frightened Martin Shanks, “have no parints to take care on them, an’ I says to meself, when Mis’ Williams wuz a lyin’ dead here, that I’d see no harm come aninst them while I wuz about.” “That was very good of you, Mr. Shanks,” cordially replied Dick, and then, bidding the girls good night, he left. Martin Shanks, wishing to see the stranger well out of the neighborhood before he quit his post of guardianship for the remainder of the night, accompanied Dick as far as Broadway, and Dick was not sorry to have his escort. CHAPTER VIII. THE MISSING STENOGRAPHER. When next Richard went to Mulberry Street, it was to notify Dido Morgan of a position he had secured for her with a prominent photographer. Her duties would be light and not unpleasant, as she was merely required to take charge of the reception room. Dido was delighted; nothing could have suited her better. Before her father died, she had devoted a great deal of time and study to sketching, and now this work seemed as though it might lead her nearer to her old life.