Evening star., 1898-08-06

delivery to my custody of this gentleman
"nom see standing here."
"a .Anu as enlphatically refuse to comply
with your demand"
On what gr 5unds sir?"
FIRST, because Mr.. Vansfttart, his wife
ana bfother-in-law are the honored guests
" n; M s. Hawke and consequently OF
the British government Secondly Hecause
you 1ail to adduce proof thar Mr.. Eansit-
tart Is French citizen. Thirdly. if he
were, ana on board this ship 1t would nm
Cate Gel tne circumstances. require the whole
German navy to take him off it,
The German was ready to burst with
rage. run well he knew that he had been
tficked by specious artifice arising from
"hoily unexpected conditions. Yet he dared
not and would not return to Bremerbayen
hithout attempting to serve his country in
this ticklfsh affair. Why not strive ar the
sacrifice of his life, to rid Germany of one
potent enemy?
he lnvoiuntarily made a half step for
ward, and his right arm crossed 10 his
sword, but Capt. Hamilton and another Of
acer sprang in front of him, and Arizona
J1ms hand fell to his hip. There are times
when siX-shooter is more convent. Mt than
even a six-inch gun.
the incident passed SO quickly that II
ilght nave been imaginary were it not ac-
centuated by Eyelyn's slight cry of alarm
von Grudenau, with rigid bow, said:
fuftner conversation is useless / must
obey my orders. With your permission. sir.
l Will return to my vessel"
;. AS he spoke his eyes wandered along the
lihes OF the Hawke. He could not fail to
see tnat she was in fighting trim
Capt. Hamilton followed his glance and
smiled "Will you not do me the honor of
proIonging your visit and inspecting the
ship? She will bear scrutiny, / can assure
you"
The other politely waved the offer aside.
4 have no option but to try what fore,
can do" he said
ANY course you may see fit TO atopt will
aHord me equal pleasure. But this is not a
personal matter, sir. I am in duty hound to
tell you that your ship is overmatched You
are are rashly rlsking a useful vessel and the
hVss OF your crew in striving to carry out
your unreasonable Instructions"
Again Won Grudenau bowed, and without
further speech quilted the Hawke. Not un-
IN ne was well clear of her did he notice
that the British man-of-war was now inter
posed between the Seafarer and Das Rhein-
land.
Capt. Hamilton at once turned to Jerome
Mr.. Vansittart, all non-combatants must
be taken to safer quarters"
The millionaire had expected some such
request Well" he said, '.if 1 turn nv
back on ths Germans this time It is only
erwards."
The Seafarer now made off as fast as her
screw could revolve. By the time Won
Grudenau reached his own ship she was ont
OF practical range and the Hawke was
slowly moving ahead. The frame of the
hne cruiser seemed to throb with suppress
ed excitement. There was enough electric
ity In the bodies of officers and men to DO
larize her compasses.
The British commander was not mistaken
as to the enemy's intent. There was no
nonsense about firing preliminary shells as
range-hnders. Trusting to possible forget
FITNESS. the first German projectiIe fairly
struck the compsnionway near which Van
sittart had stood. Iron splinters and shat
tered woodwork Kicked up rare eommo-
ton in the locality. but Hamilton's nice cal
culation of Won Grudenau's objective was
equally successful in averting loss of life
or limb among bis officers and men,
Thereafter-for two minutes that seemed
like hours-the listeners in an oiI-lft cabin
near the engine room heard series of yio-
lent explosions, erratic snorrs of steam. a
DIN OF electric bells, and an indescribabIe
rattle Of machinery, while five times In
rapid succession came clang of battered
iron, accompanied by stagg ring thud.
Evelyn chung desperately to her husband
The French maid. huddled up in a corner,
sobbed hysterically. and the three men each