The Elbert County tribune., 1905-09-07

would pass for missionary to the
Cannibal islands or an actor off the
boards. His attitude is that of
second-rate tragedian on inspection,
but the twinkle in his eye declares
the man possessed of intense humor.
Jack knows him at sight, and is In
tensely amused to see him here.
Why. hello. Smithers, my dear
mani Been long time turning up.
Beat you across the big pond. you
see?" he says, accepting the gravely
extended hand of the Scotland Yard
agent.
i've been watching you for some
time, sir. and endeavoring to puzzle it
out. You were on the Teutonic, | i'm
agine. How did you come to miss my
note. and leave me the task of decid-
ing how far I was to follow these peo-
ple?"
Jack laughs and hastily sketches the
manner in which he was SO cleverly
detained, at hearing which the detect
i've Fuckers up his mouth as though
to whistle
Come. the old fellow has more
shrewdness than / gave him credit
for But what are your plans with
regard to me, sir?"
THAT we can decide on later.
may want to you to accompany me to
Cuba"
Cuba? That will seem natural
enough" returns Smithers, quickly.
you have been there before. them"
well. rather. Spent some years in
Havana"
Good! | see we can arrange it
nicely-that is. If you have no objec-
tions to returning there?"
We'll. | don't banker after 1t, truth
to tell; but business is business. II
you want me we can arrange it."
They are close enough when the dor
and his ladies move away to hear him
direct the driver to the Brevoort
house. and before the carriage has
reached West street Jack and his com
panion are snugly esconced in another.
having given the wide-awake Jehu or
ders to keep the first vehicle in sight
Senior Roblado is attempting no lit
tie game. but brings up safely at the
hotel. where his trunks also arrive, in
doubtless a condition that makes him
more than ever the inveterate foe OF
the Yankee.
Thus the translation from the Old
to the New World has been effected.
There is something connected with
this hasty trip of Don Roblado to Ha-
vana that Jack does not profess to
notwithstanding that is tinged
with mystery in its way. and which
excites his curiosity not little.
When he talks over the matter
with Smithers, whom he has taken
fully into his confidence. the latter
agrees with him that Roblado is
queer customer, and that before they
are through with him they will very
likely discover he has a deep object
in all that he does.
1t would appear more natural for
the senor to have remained in Great
Britain until his claim in behalf of his
wards third of the heritage was put
through. instead of leaving 1t in the
hands of lawyers, and posting off in
such hot haste for the other side of
the Atlantic.
And hardly has he settled his party
comfortably in New York hotel than
the indefatigable Job Smithers follows
him to the Office of coastwise steam.
ship company, where Roblado secures
accommodation for the next voyage
Undoubtedly he has reasons for
bringing up in Havana with the least
possible delay.
At first it appears as though they
will have to go by the same boat.
which makes the chances of discovery
very great; but wise Jack, after an
investigation, finds a way of reaching
Havana ahead of the party. after see
ing them off, by means of the train to
Tampa Florida, and then taking the
little steamer Mascot over to Cuba,
voyage of about twenty four hours.
Twenty times day Travers growls
at the accursed fate which keeps him
from entering the lists and striving to
win that girls heart. Poor fellow, he
little suspects how much he has been
in Jessie's mind ever since his gen
erous action in Edinburgh, and that
Fate Is so shaping events as to bring
their life-lines together again, this
time never more to part.
He has some satisfaction in discov-
ering that while Jessie treats Spencer
with respect, there is coldness in
her manner not at all promising to the
success of the others suit.
The more he sees of her-from dis
tance. of course. since he does not
wish to annoy her or betray his pres
ence to either of the men-the greater
becomes Jacks enthusiasm, and the
stronger his resolution to leave no
stone unturned in the endeavor to carry
the citadel of her heart.
Then comes their fitting.
Smithers has done his duty faith
fully. and clung upon the trail of the
senor with persistency that Jack can
,,ot hut ,or,,,,nnd