The age-herald., 1901-11-17
I'm the Secret Service.
OoooooooooooooooooooooooOooo


 l even imagine what he would do. To show any signs of approaching the sus- peoted vessel would be to run his head into the moose at once. Even If under cover of darkness he should escape the vigilance of the shore, the doctor on board would be ready to betray him.
 My only chance of discovering any thing was to keep Sullivan constantly under surveillance, and I seldom lost sight of him for long together, except at | night, and then 1 slept with my window open to catch any sound in the street below, and would get up once or twice | to listen at the door. It was trying experience, for the risk and the uncer- tainty were equally great. Two days and two nights passed and then made a discovery. t5@
 | Sullivan had spent most of his time in the shipping quarter of the town, and on | the second morning after our arrival, while was strolling along the sea-front, | which I considered the most advantage ous position to take up when not follow ing Sullivan, I saw him go on board a little yacht lying in the harbor, accom- panied by two or three sailors. In few minutes the sails were trimmed and they were running out to sea in the op- positeI direction to the Aorangi l. She's a pretty little craft" an English | sailor remarked. as my eyes fell and I | was about to turn away. He had evil dently recognized me as country wo- Y man.
 Very" replied. "Do you happen to know to whom she belongs?" | ITO old Jose. He's just let her out till tomorrow to the gentleman who went on board. Made him pay pretty stiffiy, too. i the old rascalr'
 Only till tomorrow exclaimed. Are you quite sure7" Then. seeing his look of surprise. I added. T have been thinking of going for a little cruise my self and she might suit me-" | Well she'll be back again tomorrow, | lady, you can take my word for it. I ] was talking to Jose when the gent came | up and knowing a bit of their lingo I helped to make things clear The old man opened bottle of some nasty sour | stun he called Riopa to show his grati- | tude."
 | gave the man a trife, which in the native coinage of reis seemed a sub l stantial sum, and he went away to try 1T he could find some English beer "to take the taste out of his mouth" And returned to the hotel to consider what l should do. If Sullivan had hired the yacht with the object of communicating with Hammond, it was certain that he would not make the attempt in daylight, and as he had only engaged it till to- imorrow, the attempt, if made at all, must be. made tonight That was evident. It was, therefore, imperative that I should watch Sullivan's every movement to- night, although how this was to be done could not as yet imagine.
 Late in the afternoon I was sitting in | the Yestfbule of the hotel in secluded corner, when to my surprise, I saw Sul- livan go past accompanied by stranger "a little, important looking Portuguese As they passed my corner, I heard Sulu van say in French, Then will send 1t round to you at once" I got up and was in time to see the foreigner leave the ho- tel alone. arsHv nA- sl
 Do you know who that gentleman is who has just gone out?" I asked the | booking clerk carelessly
 'Dr. Duprat," he replied. "He has had an anxious time lately owing to sus- pected case of plague on board an En- | glish steamer calling here'
 + In flash saw the first move of the game-the move which Sullivan had evi- dently made successfully. He had bribed the Portuguese doctor to act as messen- l ger between him and Hammond. He was practically the only person who could | approach the suspected vessel without | being called to account, as, from his of- hcial position, 1t was his duty to make enquiries. The only thing that puzzled
 
 bled about the yacht.
 | l did not long hesitate what to do. | Sullivan's move must be checkmated at any cost. looked out Dr. Duprat's ad- | dress in the directory, and I had myself | driven at once to his house. It was not likely that he had gone already to the Aorangf, as Sullivan had spoken of send Ing something round to him-a letter, no doubt-and he would probably find it ws-I- 4.1 .q-14.
 Still, l was relieved to hear that he was at home, and saying that my business was of the greatest importance I was shown Into him at once. Boldness was the only thing that would serve me now. and went straight to the point 'l have reason to know" I began look ing the little Portuguese full in the face. ''that you have undertaken a commission from MT. Sullivan to a MT. Hammond now on board the quarantined shin. Aorangi."
 The blood ebbed under his yellow skin, making him look ghastly, while his black eyes glared at me in fear and amaze ment. But he recovered himself in a mo- ment, and was about to bluster when held up my hand.
 "Stop?' I said. "I am willing to believe that you have acted in ignorance and from motives of kindness q did not he
  thought 1t prudent to conciliate the man as much as possible), though whether your government would consided that sufficient. excuse. you know best; but you must treat me fairly now or won VIII drive me to extreme measures. You see l have come to you first, instead of communicating with the authorities. as might have done"
 sew him moisten his dry lips, and I knew he was coward and that greed Of money had made him Sullivans tool. 'I have credentials from the English l government which would ensure me | respectful attention from your superi- | ors." l continued, "but if you will con fess everything to me, I will engage not | only to keep your secret but to pay vou the same sum of money you have been | promised by MT Sullivan. This I do to compensate you for any risk and be- | cause I do not wish the matter noised | abroad"
 His eyes glistened, and I saw that he l was ready to turn traitor without a | qualm .s-
 | T will acknowledge I was weak" be I said. but what would you? My heart is Y tender. When the English gentleman | comes to me in such trouble and distress | and says he hasa great friend on board l the Aoransi and he wishes to obtain ona little message from him-now-at once-I shake my head and say 1t is impossible. | Who. am I that I should bring the blacl, | death into my beloved country9 Rut | when he swears to me that there shall | be no risk-that I shall take nothing | from his friends hand, then I begin to