For a time she paid no attention to this person, except to observe that he was a man apparently of thirty-five, wearing a closely-clipped brown beard and brown mustache, his hair cut very short. Her book slipping from her lap gave this man the opportunity for which evidently he had been looking. Picking it up, he returned it to Ida, receiving her thanks for his courtesy, and then attempted to enter into conversation with her. However, making no reply to his remarks, when he persisted she swung her chair about so that she presented her back to the man. She was aware that the man was angry, but she gave little heed to that, merely turning to satisfy herself that the man was not the one who, with the lady, had a little time before annoyed her by their close watchfulness of her. She had not sat in this position but a little time, when the lady before mentioned arose from her seat, and crossing the car, sat down in the empty seat which Ida was now facing. “Pardon me,” said the lady; “I take this seat and speak to you for two reasons. One is rather a kindly one, and the other wholly selfish and curious. “I perceive that you are being annoyed by the man on the other side of you. I saw that by sitting beside you and talking with you I could put an end to his annoyances.” This the lady said in a low tone that could not be heard by the man at the back of Ida. When Ida had thanked her for the interference the lady went on, but now in a much louder voice. “My selfish and curious reason is one not so helpful, but I hope you won’t think it impertinent. “My husband has recognized you as the celebrated Ida, the aid of the famous Nick Carter, of whose exploits I have frequently read. “I have long admired you, wondering how a woman could do such brave things as I have known you to do. So I wanted to know and talk with you.” Though much annoyed at thus having her identity revealed in a public place, Ida could not refrain from meeting the lady pleasantly, for in the lady’s speech and manner there was, after all, much that was complimentary. Yet it was an uncommon experience for Ida. She knew that Nick, Chick and Patsy were subject to such happenings, and were often compelled to resort to disguises to prevent accidental recognitions. She did not care to be so conspicuous as recognition made her, but a moment’s thought told her that, after all, no great harm was done, since her mission to Philadelphia could hardly be called a secret one; that is, secrecy was not required in doing her work. But, what gave her the most annoyance was that she was conscious that the man on the other side of her had heard the lady, had started into unusual interest, showing a little agitation and had swung his chair around so as to bring his ears nearer to the two. However, he soon got up, going to the other end of the car.