Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-01-13
CHATTER XIV.


fascination until he disappeared
through the door of the cabin. l
could guess what 1t had cost him
| to drag himself from his bed, what
agony of apprehension must have been
| upon him to make him take the risk.
| The 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
| ancc-therp had been no way for me
| to guard against that. He had easily
| guessed the rest He had only to con
| suit tho passenger list to assure him
self that Mr. Royce ana were aboard.
| And he was following us. hoping
what? What could man IN his con
dition hope TO accomplish? What need
was there for lis to fear him? And yet
there was something about hinl-sone-
thing in the atmosphere of the nun
that almost terrified me.
cane back to earth to find that
Royce and Mrs Kcmhall had drlftad
away together and that my companion
was regarding mo from under half
closed lids with little smile Of
amusement
$50 you're awake again, Mr.. Les
ter?" she asked do you often suffer
attacks of that sort?''
Pardon me-" l stammeretl. THE
fact is, IL
"You looked quite dismaycd," she
continued relentlessly. "Iou seemed
positively horror stricken. saw moth
ing formidable about him"
NO you don't know him" l retort-
ed and stopped, lest | should say too
much.
Il think we'd better sit down." she
said. smiling. Your knees seem to be
still somewhat shaky."
So we sought seat near the stern,
where we could watch the city sink
gradually away in the distance as the
great boat silded smoothly out into
the bay.
confess l was worried. had not
thought for u moment that Martgny
would have the tcmerity to board tho
| same boat with us-yet it WIS not SO
wonderful after all, since he could not
guess that I 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 he might warn his confed-
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 new measure OF
his savage determination to battle us.
l found myself more and more begin
ming to fear him.
Should inform Mr.. Royce Of this
new development? I asked myself.
Then remembered the doctors words.
He must have rest and quiet during tho
coming week.
II trust that I'm not III the way, Mr.
Lester?" inquired a low, provoking
voice at my side, and | awolSe to the
fact that had again been guilty of
forgetting my companion.
"Mss Kemball,' began desperately
"let me confess that I'm in an exceed
ingly 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
recovering from severe nervous
breakdown
II see," she nodded.
l glanced at her again-at the open,
candid eyes, the forceful mouth and
chin-and / took sudden resolution.
"Nliss Kemball.' said. Pm going
to ask your help-that is, IL I 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 l have reason to believe
him capable Of anything and very
| fiend of cleverness. l don't know what
he may plot against us, but I'm certain
he'll plot something MIR. Royce doesn't
even know him by sight and shouldn't
be worried, but unless he's forewarned
he may walk right into danger. want
you to help me keep an eye on him-to
help me keep him out of danger. VIII
you help me?
"Why, certainly" she cried. $50
we're to have mystery-just we two"
"Just we two,' l assented.
She looked at me doubtfully.
II must remember Mr.. Graham's
warning" she said. You haven't III
vented this astonishing story just TO
entertain me, Mr.. Lester?"
ION my word, no." responded IT.
tie bitterly. Il only wish had!"
"There!' she said contritely. Il
shouldn't have doubted. Forgive me,
Mr.. Lester. Only it seemed SO fantas-
tic, so Improbable
ut is fantastic" assented, "but, uh-
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. Kemball Joined us
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 at
the side. Our first meal at sea was
Il merry one, MI. Royce seeming IN
| ..,.L -.s,:A. 4bo+ wac voorn fhAn ever