The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1902-03-08
MRS. VANDERTON'S
COMPANION
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NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. 80

tAe steamship InlllSUlne ever
since she had begun to take passen-
gers aboard in the morning, and now
that the time of departure had ar
rived and we were leaving the landing
stage turned away to seek my cabin.
For many months large and in
creasing quantities of diamonds had
been Struggled into the States, and
the authorities were in despair at
their inability to check the practice.
Thus it came about that 1 was de-
puted to sail across the Atlantic in
one of the Liverpool boats that
might endeavor to locate those con-
cerned during the voyage. Hardly
had 1 arrived in England than ca
blegram reached me from my chief
directing me to take passage with the
Philistine, which he had reason to
believe was to be the scene of the
next attempt.
A hubbub of noise came from the
corridor. The occupants of the ad-
Joining stateroom were for the most
part eScitedly talking and unpack-
ing luggage for immediate use. Sud-
denly the man who was moving about
just beyond my partition opened his
door and called for the steward.
Involuntarily, I gave a slight start.
Something in that voice was familiar.
listened carefully when next he
spoke, but, try as l would, I failed to
bring to mind the owners name. Per-
haps a glimpse of the man would
stimulate my memory. I rose from
my seat and stepped briskly outside,
almost colliding with him in my
haste.
His back was toward me, and was
able to note his short, thick-set figure
supported on the right side by
.crutch, before he wheeled around so
sharply as to lose his grasp of it. I
caught his arm, or he would have
fallen.
"Excuse me-" said, alphabetically.
"I fear 1 startled YOU" And stoop-
ing 1 reached his crutch and replaced
it.
A slight smile chased away the an
gry look which had first appeared
upon his dark features. "You were
not at all in fault" he replied. II
ought not to have attempted such q
thing as turning SO quickly. had
forgotten my affection for the mo-
ment, and imagined I was as strong
as ever"
With that he hobbled back into his
cabin, closing the door with a snap
loud enough to suggest he was not
Il, IL
vey.
found that had been placed at
the captains table at dinner, and,
upon taking my seat, discovered my
vis-a-vis to be the very man upon
whom my thoughts were conferred. He
smiled and commenced chatting anita
bly,.
II hope we shall have pleasant
voyage" he said. "The weather seems
propitious."
made some conventional reply.
"Have you friends on board with
you?" inquired.
"Not a single one. know it is
risky to cross the Atlantic in my con-
dition, but circumstances have forced
me to do it,
just why suspicion of this man
should enter my head I cannot say,
but from that moment growing
feeling that he was not altogether
honest in his protestations took pos
session of me. watched him keenly.
Every now and then he would glance
around the room as though in search
of someone, and an anxious look sur
mounted his face towards the end OF
the meal. Evidently the person he
was searching for had not come to the
saloon. 1t being the first day out
many seats were vacant. But this
fact, perhaps, did not occur to him.
We went out together and up on to
the deck. That strange spirit of un'
rest still held him. With muttered
apology he hurried off to find the
steward. In some eagerness I fol
lowed little way behind.
eyes, SIR" I heard the steward
say "Mrs. Vanderton and hel
companion are in No. 81"
"Then she is. on board?" said Fletch
er. With curt nod he crossed tt
where I was standing. 'I'm going
below, Mr.. Anderson. I always re
tire early-doctor's orders, you know
Good night"
"Now, what am I to think?" I com
muned with myself as he went dow
below. "The man is not altogethe
square, First no friends; then h
asks after and is anxious about tw
ladies. I think it will pay me to kee
an eve on him. Fletcher can't RI
member anyone of that name"
Later in the evening had occasio
to visit my state room. l went
quietly that my ncighbor was un'
ware of how near was to him. Col
trary to his statement, he had not {
vet retired. I heard him walk acro
the floor, and-yes, there could be +
gainsaying the fact--he was not usir
the crutch.
We were within SO hours sail
New York, and was still in doubt
to what course I should take. Fletc
er had given no further sign that
was the man wanted. Also, the t,
ladies' in whom he had interested I
had made their first appearance ut t
dinner table that evening, and he h
not attempted to speak with them.
fact. to me he seemed rather to ave
them.
But that night was to reveal mu'
I had gone away from the crowd