“Good boy” murmured Teal.

Yet, when an hour had slipped by, and Benson had not returned, even his loyal comrades began to wonder a good deal.  From that frame of mind they passed on, at the end of another hour, to worry.

CHAPTER XX

THE GIRL IN THE CAB

As Jack reached the door of the United Service Club he found no one at the doorway.

“That’s strange,” he muttered.

But in another moment he looked down the street.  A hundred feet away stood a closed cab.  From it a woman leaned, beckoning slightly.

Had she been veiled, Jack would have been instantly suspicious.

But her face showed, and it was a young, fresh, pretty and wholesome looking face.

“I don’t know her, but she is very evidently a lady,” thought Jack Benson, quickly.

Accordingly, he stepped along the sidewalk, lifting his hat courteously as he neared the vehicle.

“You are Mr. Benson?” inquired the young woman.

“Yes, madam.”

“I trust you will pardon my calling here, and sending you a message.  But it was very urgent that I see you at once—­how urgent you cannot yet understand.”

“I am here, madam,” Jack replied; not knowing what else to say.

“I am going to make another strange request of you.”

“It is granted in advance, if possible.”

“Will you step inside with me, and drive a little way?” inquired the young woman.

Jack glanced quickly at her.  Her face was flushed; evidently she was embarrassed.

“Won’t you tell me a little more, madam, about your reason for wishing to see me?” he suggested.

“Yes; but not here—­please!” she begged.  “I do not want to be seen about here.  I shall not detain you long, Mr. Benson.  All I ask is that you sit here beside me, and that we drive a little way, while I say a few words to you.”

Jack hesitated.  He did not like the look of the adventure.  Yet, on the other hand, it was hard to see harm or danger in it.  The young woman was evidently, as he had at first guessed, a lady.

“Then you do not feel able to tell me, here, what you wish to speak with me about?” he inquired.

“I shall begin as soon as we start on our drive,” she promised.  “Oh, please do not refuse me.  You cannot imagine how much is at stake—­for me!”

Though Jack Benson felt the peculiarity of the request from a stranger, he was unable to see how harm could result from his being kind.

“Very good, then,” he agreed.  “I will do my best by listening to you.”

After he had entered the cab, and had taken the seat, beside her, the young woman turned to look at him keenly.

Jack, for his part, saw that she was rather better dressed than the average.  He imagined her to be the daughter of a family in comfortable circumstances.