Evening star., 1898-08-06

Suiting his actions to the words, he
quickly climbed the rope ladder which had
been lowered and gained the deck of the
Seafarer.
With smiling courtesy he introduced
himself: Il am Capt. des Voeux Hamilton
of H. NJ. s. Hawke. which you see there.
l have Information of great Importance for
you. Shall we go to the saloon?'
Jerome led the way, saying:
MY wife and brother-in-law may accom-
Dany us?''
"Assuredly, Mr. Vansittart"
Once out of earsbot of others, the officer
explained his strange appearance in mid
Atlantic. He began with question.
DO you know that war has broken out
between Germany and France?"
Evelyn uttered an involuntary eXclarla-
ton. Even Vansittart was surprised by
the suddenness of the announcement.
Surely matters nave not reached that
stage aireadyT' he exclaimed.
There can be no doubt about 1t. The
German armies commenced the invasion of
France on Thursday night. 1 left Ports
nouth at noon on Friday, and several
slight affairs had already taken place on
the frontier, while in military circles it
was generally believed that the first pitched
battle would take place yesterday, Sun
day, somewhere in the neighborhood of
Mars la Tour
Jerome was powerfully moved but his
anger at this catastrophe only manifested
itself by Tightening of the lips as be said !:
This is indeed grave news for me, Capt.
Hamilton
Il fear my next item will be more M
pleasant. in SO far as it affects you per
sonally. Our foreign Office is naturally keep
ing very close watch on all naval move
mentS at this moment trustworthy Ham
burg correspondent warned Whitehall by
secret telegraplic code that four German
cruisers had put out to sea in great hurry
early on Friday. He learned by some means
that their object was to catch you and pre-
vent you, at all hazards, from landing in
France. Your yacht is an American ship,
but defenseless, and you are reported to
be a French citizen. Nice diplomatic DIFF
ferences can, however, be adjusted months
hence, and even large personal indernnities
paid. Meanwhile you would be accomnio-
dated with residence in some remote
German castle. 1 think you follow me.
Sittart, so-here l am.
Capt. Hamilton" said the millionaire.
warmly, Il am deeply indebted to the Brit
is government and to you personally But
tell me- At sea / ann helpless. Tho Saa-
faIer is not fast boat d may presum-
ably expect capture ataany moment?''
Hardly. The Hawke. can slip away from
anything the Germans. have. and we had
say, couple of hours start from Ports
II outh. But one of the quartet will cer-
tainly fall In with you this afternoon or
evening -
Are they entitled to board my yacht and
seize herr"
..They are not. But know what I or
you would do under similar circumstances
leave others to settle the rights of the
case, eh, Mr. Vansittart?"
The Anglo-Saxon is very much alike on
both sides of the Atlantic. They all, even
Evelyn, grinned in concert.
What are your orders, captain?" said
Jerome, after a pause.
MY orders are to find you and assist
you"
without qualification"
Absolutely"
.In the absence of an American man-of-
war, / am justified in asking your protec-
tion under circumstances that SAVIOR of pi-
racy2"
well, you see, 1t Is like this: I can
stand by you and help you If appealed to.
but--again regarding events from the Ger
man point of view-a single she'll would
probably settle your business during the
argument
.Woutd 1t Inconvenience you too much.
Captain Hamilton, II I were to ask you to
find quarters for a small household of five
on board your ship during the next few
days?'
when get the request In writing" said
the sailor, with dry humor, "you Will come
with me to quarters already prepared"
Then, with smile, he turned to EveIyn