The Washington herald., 1907-12-22
CHAPTER XIV.

Vic Morris looked on the morrow. He
had put Grinding under pains and penal
ties not to reveal his presence-till the
time should come. What that precise mo-
ment was TO be. he did not deign to ex-
plain. Il had some connection with Ger
tain visits he was going to pay. He had
come long way to do it. The business
must now be "mulled."
Going TO apply for the late Mr.. Kahn's
position?" broke in. not unkindIy, Walter
Grinding They were now alone for the
baffied inspector had been off by the first
train.
'Purissima," cried the engineer. but
that's not at all bad idea. Only It
would be on conditions."
Getting your own way-a free hand.
and SO on said Grinding; well, the
four directors are to be here. tomorrow
afternoon. Il I were you. I should at
least see them"
Cant" said Vic decidedly I've an
appointment for that day.
An appointment" Walter Grinding
was mystihed; "and you might be the
acting head boss OF Incubus aud give us
all the sacS.'
Oh said Vic. lightly. there's q Job
waiting for me out yonder where I come
from I'm not aching TO be back in
Kirktown"
"Quarreled?" said Brindling. arching
his eyebrows with the ghost Of a wink.
Vic Norris bent his brows upon him.
His strong nose seemed to hook more
broadly and fiercely than ever.
No he said Il haven't quarreled-
yet! But you and I will-if you talk
like that"
4 meant no harm, I'm sure" said
Grinding; L tell you what. Morris-if
you really mean that you won't apply
for the management Of the Incubus prop
erties-weIl. then. I will do it for YOU!
1 can quite understand that you mishtn't
Ike TO do 1t when on a holiday-getting
pay and SO on"
Not a cent?" said Vic sharply. I'm
lookin' round a bit on my own as our
friend. lately departed, would have said
Thank you very much but 1 would
rather"
Look here" said Grinding suddenly;
you don't want McKiH 10 get the run
ming OF all these hundreds of men-a
pretty thing that would be, He would
stop every improyement-and-
No, 1 should not want that" said Vic
slowly. but why not yourself?'
'Oh, said Grinding. with a sigh. Il
Know my limitations and the name get
m quite content. I could, work with
you, though. I can stand booting as
well as the next man-that is. n tho
booter tells me what ne is booting me
for. But not McKiM That would break
my heart, / say, Morris-suppose that
the thing is offered 20 you-your Spanish
people can't complain,-What would Won
do?" '0~
I should consider it, said Vic. knit
ting his brows.
We'll that's enough for ne-oao tbaror,,
Grinding swept his hand across all the
red brick blocks of houses nm marked
out as on a plan down on the panorama
or kirktown spread below. Il don't
savvy myself much I'm the way OF good
ness, Dun It's plump Up-and-down fact
that I've had 10 fight for every improve
ment every shilling Of outlay on the pits.
on the houses. on-ah, well. there, You-U
say I'm queer specimen TO be talking
Soocy like this, when-What is Il they
call my character2-so frivolous, THAT
Keeps me out of the berth they would
give 10 Mckill-Eood name for him. too
that is, if you don't let me stick I'D for
you tomorrow with those four director
fellows"
'Humph,' said Vic, you act a lot bet
ter than you talk! It's not common.
Grinding"
He held out his hand.
Shake he said.
And quite grayely they took hands.
gripping hard
Now said Vic Morris. Kindly nut
your head in a bag, Grinding. Just TO
oDilSe. m going TO pay a visit. and
II you are asked. I want you 10 be able
10 say that you don't know where,"
could say that anyway" grinned
Walter Grinding.
But not with the same conviction. It's
h&Id 10 coerce a man in his own house 3,
VIC went on, but here's the smoking
room that looks right on a red brick vail
with IVY on H. In with you. Grinding.
ana don't set your nose out for tventv
good minutes, You hear me?"
Again Walter Grinding smiled He
thought that he knew exceedingly we'll
Whefe Vic Norris was going. But as
the wise reader, Of course, knows. he was
never more mistaken in his life.
sun there was a mystery surrounding
the movements OF Vic Morris. In face of
ceitaln long correspondence, ne might
nave Decn expected TO betake himself
directly 10 the Manse Of the Valley
quite on the contrary, he borrowed 2
trap from the stables Of the long-sIffer
ing Grinding and drove over 10 the LITTLE
village which nestled in the cove of Por-
togarten-hiding some few hundreds of
s@LuS % round the rugged coast and out OF
slght OF the promonotary Of Rough Is
ldhu' ana the cottage of the two veteran
ANA teurS IN Hghthouse-science, pharoIogy.
or Whatever might be the name pfvan 20
the common hobby Of Billy and Dicl-
True, Vic had been ready early and
ihere was no chance Of seeing Janet un-
DER any circumstances Favorable +o
private conversation before the afternoon
sun. with all his desire for secrecy. and
ms Wlsn 70 arrive unknown in the villaga
OF hlrktoWn II was somewhat strange |
mat ne should go all the way TO Porto |
garten Cove without having seen again
the sapphire eyes with the sparks IN
them' about which he had written so
much and often
But Vic always had a reason for everv- |
thing, though II was but seldom no |
troubled anybody else with that reason.
sun II sometimes appeared in the after |
course OF circumstances
Yes. Mr.. Ludovic Morris was poino 70
call on Vida He might have said 10 hi. !
most that he was going over to see the |
new lighthouse, and Walter Grinding
would have believed as much Of that as !
he liked. But it was characteristic OF
VIC that he said nothing at all. made no |
apologies. not even TO himself-which is |
the rarest thing Of all. many men and
most women passing their time in moth |
ing else than explaining themselves TO |
themselves. Vic was less complicated. /