Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-01-31
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CHAPTER XIV.


ngony of apprehension must have been
upon him to make him take the risk.
Tue JOurdains, puzzled at my not re-
turning, unable to keep silence. sus-
pecting, perhaps, some plot against
themselves, had doubtless gone to the
hospital and told him of my appear
ance-there had been no way for me
to guard against that He had easily
guessed the rest. He had only to con
suit the passenger list to assure him
self that Mr.. Royce and were aboard.
And he was following us, hoping
what? What could man in his con-
ditlon hope to accomplish? What need
was there for lis to fear him? And vet
there was something about him-some-
thing In the atmosphere of the man
that almost terrified me.
came back to earth to find that
Royce and Mrs. Kemball had drifted
away together and that my companion
was regarding me from under half
closed lids with little smile of
amusement.
SO you're awake again, Mr.. Les
ter?" she asked. "Do you often suffer
attacks of that sort?"
Pardon me-" l stammered rrhe
fact is, I-I"-
You looked quite dismayed," she
continued relentlessly. "You seemed
positively horror stricken. saw moth
Ing formidable about him."
mo, you don't know him. / retort-
ed and stopped, Hess ! siiau.l s..y too
much. -
II think we'd Better sit DOWN" she
said, smiling. Your knees seem to be
still somewhat shaky."
So we sought IL seat near the stern,
where we could watch the city SIM,
gradually away i'll the distance us tho
great boat glided smoothly out into
the bay.
confess was worried. / had not
thought for moment that AIartigny
would have the temerity to board tho
same boat with usyet it was not so
Wonderful after all, since lie could not
guess that l suspected him, that l
knew him and Bethune to be the same
person. That was my great advantage.
IN any event we were in no danger
from him. He was probably following
US only that lie 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
us, his disregard of the grave danger
to himself, gave me n new measure of
his savage determination to battle us.
found myself more and more Begin
ming to fear him,
Should l inform Mr.. Royce of this
new development? l asked myself.
Then remembered the doctors words.
He must have rest and quiet during the
coming week.
II trust that I'm not in the way, Mr..
iLester!"- inquired low, provoking
voice at my side, and l awoke to the
fact that had again been guilty of
forgetting my companion.
Miss Kemball," began desperately,
"let me confess that I'm in an exceed
ltngly veXatious situation The fact
that can't ask advice makes it worse"
You can't ask even Mr.. Royce" she
Queried, with raised brows.
HE least of all. You see, he's Just
breakdown
II see,' she nodded.
glanced at her again-at the open,
candid eyes, the forceful mouth and
chin-and took a sudden resolution.
Miss kemball," l said, I'm going
to ask your help-that is. il may"
"Of course you may"
well, then, that man who came on
board last is the inveterate enemy of
both Mr.. Royce and myself. We're
trying to unearth particularly afro
cious piece of villainy in which he's
concerned. have reason to believe
him capable of anything and very
tiend of cleverness. l don't know what
he may plot against us, but I'm certain
he'll plot something Mr.. Royce doesn't
even know him by sight and shouldn't
be worried, but unless he's forewarned
lie may walk right into danger. want
YOU to help me keep an eye on him-to
help me keep him out of danger. Will
you help me"
why, certainly" she cried. 80
were to have a mystery-iust we two"
Just we two," assented.
She looked ut me doubtfully.
II must remember Mr.. Graham's
warning" she said. you haven't in
vented this astonishing story just TO
entertain me, Mr.. Lester"
"On my word, no." l responded lit
fla hittarlv nN1v yvich 7 hoaI,
"There" she said contritely. ~
shouldn't have doubted. Forgive me,
Mr.. Lester Only 1t seemed SO fantas-
tic, SO Improbable
ut is fantastic" assentcd, but, un-
fortunately, it is true. We must keep
an eye on NJ. Martigny, or Bethune"
(Which is his real name?"
"Those are the only ones l know,
but doubt if either is the true one"
Royce and Mrs. Kendall Joined us
a moment later, and we sat watching
the low, distant Long Island shore I'M
til the gong summoned us to lunch.
A word to the steward had secured us
one Of the small tables in an alcove ut
the side. Our first meal at sea was
merry one, Mr.. Royce seeming in
such spirits that was more than ever
determined not to disturb him with the
knowledge Of Martigny's presence.
AS the moments passed my fears
seemed more and more uncalled for.
1t was quite possible, told myself,
that had been making bogy of my
own imagnings. The Frenchman did
not appear in the saloon, and after
ward an inquiry of the ships doctor
developed the fact that he was seri-
ously i'll and quite unable to leave his
stateroom.
may as well confess at once that
was seasick. 1t came next morning,
ten minutes after had left my BERTH
not violent sickness, but faintness
and giddiness that made me long for
my berth again, but Mr. Royce would
not hear Of it. He got me out OH deck
and into my chair, with the fresh
breeze blowing full in my face There
was long line of chairs drawn up
there, and from the faces of most Of
their occupants l judged they We're far
more miSern blp fhan |