Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-12-21
CHAPTER XIV.

could guess what 1t had cost MN
to drag himself from his bed. what
agony Of apprehension must have been
upon him TO make him take the risk.
The JOllrdains, puzzled Mt my not re-
turning, unable 10 keep silence, sus-
pccting. perhaps. some plot against
themselves had doubtless conc TO the
hospital and told him of my appear
there had been no way for me
TO guard against that. He had easily
guessed the rest He had only 10 con
suit the passenger list 10 assure him
self that Mr.. Royce and were aboard.
And lie was following us. hoping
what? What could man in his con
dtion hope to accomplish What need
was there for us to fear him. Aud yet
there was something about him-somc-
thing in the atmosphere Of the man
that almost terrified me-.
| came back 10 earth to find that
Royce and Mrs. Kendall had drftcd
away together and that my companion
was regarding me from under half
closed lids with a little smile of
amusement
so you're awake again. Mr.. les
ter she asked DO you often suffer
attacks Of that sort:'
Pardon me-" stammcred. 1.-THE
fact u.s. II
You looked quite dlsmaycd." she
continued relsntlessly "lou seemed
positively horror stricken. | saw moth
ing formidable about him."
"No, you don't know him" I retort-
ed and stopped lest ! should say too
much
Il think we'd better sit down. she
said. smiling. Your knees seem to he
still somewhat shahy."
So we sought scat near the stern,
where we could watch The city sink
gradually away in the distance us the
great boat glded smoothly out into
the bay.
I confess l was worried. ! had not
thought for a moment that Martigny
would have the temcrity to board the
same boat with us-yet ii was not so
wonderful after all. since he could not
guess that | suspected him, that |
knew him and Rethune to be the same
person. That was my great advantage.
from him. He was probably following
us only that he might warn his confcd
crates. should we seem likely to dis
cover them. Certainly they were in no
present danger of discovery, and per-
haps might never be. But his following:
MS. his disregard of the grave danger
30 himself, gave me- a new measure Of
his savage determination 10 battle us.
] found myself more and more begin
ming to fear him.
Should nform Mr.. Royce of this
new development: | asked myself.
Then remembered tie doctors words.
He must have rest and quiet during the
coming Week.
II trust tina, II. not in the way, Mr..
I.cstcr:" inquired Il low. provoking
voice az my side. and | awoke TO th2
fact that ! had again hcCn guilty of
forgetting my companion.
Miss KENDALL" began desperately
'let ne confess; tina, I'm in an exceed
ingly vexatious situation Tho fact
that can. ask advice makes it worse
You can't ask even Mr.. Royce" she
qucried with raised brows
He least of all You see. he's JUS
recovering from II severe nervous
breakdown"
II see she nodded.
glanced at her agan-a. the open,
candid eyes. the fOrccfu. mouth ant!
chin-and took Il sudden resolution.
Miss Kemball.' ] said. I'm going
10 ask your help--that Is, IL may
'Of course you may"
well then, that man who came on
board last is the invetcrate enemy of
both Mr.. Royce and myself. We're
trying TO unearth Il particularly afro
cious piece OF vllany in which he's
concerned. ! have reason TO believe
him capable of anything and a very
fend of clevcrneSs don't know what
he may plot against us. but I'm certain
he'll plot something Mr.. Royce docsn't
wen know him by sight and shouldn't
ne worried. but unless he's forewarnec
he may walk right into danger. wan
you TO help me keep an eye Oh him tt
help me keep him out of danger. vii
you help me-
"Why. certainly" she cried. "S(
We ~ 10 nave mystery just WE tWo'
"Iust we two" | aSsented.
She looked ut me doubtfully.
II must remember MIR. Graham'S
warming she said. You haven't in
vented this astonishing story just Il
entertain me, Mr.. Lester
ION my word, no ! responded lit
tie bitterly. II only wish had.'
"There.' she said cOntrtoly. 90
shouldn't have doubted. Forgive me
Mr.. Lester. Only it seemed so fantas
tic. SO Improbable
at is fantastic" | assented. but. I'm
fortunately, it is true We must keel
an eye on NJ. Martigny, or Bcthune.'
(Which is his real namc:"
"Those are the only ones | know
but doubt If either is the true one"
Royce and Mrs. Kendall joined u
moment later, and we sat watchin;
the low, distant Long Island shore un
til the gong summoned MS to lunch
A word to the steward had secured II
one OF the small tables in an alcove a
the side Our first meal at sea wa
merry one, Mr.. Royce seeming II
such spirits that was more than eve
determined not to disturb him with In
knowledge of Martgny's presence.
As the moments passed my fear