Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-14

ognized as scientific apparatus. It was fol-
lowed in quick succession by three others.
Ignorant as was of the requirements of
scientist. my common sense told me this
could be no exploring outfit. l revised my
first intention of going to the club, and
bought a sandwich or two at the corner
coffee house I don't know why. but even
then the affair seemed big with mystery
with the portent of tragedy. Perhaps the
smell of tar was in my nostris and the sea
called. 1t has always possessed for me an
extraordinary allurement-
A little after o'clock cab drove to the
after. gangplank and stopped. From it
alighted young man Of whom 1 shall later
have occasion to tell you more, followed by
DR. Schermerhorn The young man car
ried only light leather ''seryiette," such
as students use abroad while the doctor
fairly staggered under the weight of a
square, brass-bound chest without handles.
The singularty of this unequal division Of
labor struck me at once
1t struck also one of the dock men, who
ran forward. eager for a tip.
Kin | carry tn box for you, boSs?' he
asked at the same time reaching for 1t.
The doctors thin figure seemed fairly to
shrink at the idea
mo. nor. he cried. at ISIS not for you to
carry!
He hastened up the gangplank. clutching
the chest close. At the top Capt Selover
met him.
Hello. DOCTOR" he squeaked. Here in
good time We're busy. YOU see. Let me
carry your chest for you
rNo. no. DR.. schermerhorn fairly glared.
Its almighty heavy" insisted the cap
tain. Let me give you hand"
''You must not touchr' emphatically or
dered the scientist. Where iss the cabin?"
He disappeared down the companionway
clasping his precious load. The young man
remained on deck to superintend the stow
Ing of the scientific goods and the personal
baggage.
All this time I had been thinking busily.
remembered distinctly one other instance
when DR.. Schermerhorn had disappeared
He came back inscrutably, but within
week his results on aerial photography
were public property. l told myself that in
the present instance his lavish use Of
money. the elaborate nature of his prepara-
tons. the evident secrecy of the expedition
as evidenced by the fact that he had nego-
tated for the vessel only the day before
setting SAIL the Importance of personal su
peyvision as proved by the fact that he
VIGOROUSLY impractical in practical mat
tiers, and VIGOROUSLY disliking anything to
do with business-had conducted the affair
himself instead of delegating it-why. gen.
tlemen don't you see that all this was more
than enough to wake me up. body and
soul? Suddenly I came to a definite resolu
ton. Captain Selover had descended to the
pier, l approached him.
You need mate" said I.
He looked me over.
Perhaps" he admitted. where's your
man?'
Fright here" said I.
His eyes widened a little. Otherwise he
showed no sign of surprise. I cursed my
clothes.
r Fortunately had my masters certificate
with me-Td passed fresh-water on the
| Great Lakes-I always carry that sort Of
document On the chance that 1t may come
handy. 1t CHANGED to have couple of ma
val Endorsements. results of the late war.
Look here" 1 said before I gave it to
him. You don't believe in me. My clothes
are too good That's all right. They're all
I have that are good I'm broke. I came
down here wondering whether I'd better
throw myself in the drink
You look like a dude" he squeaked.
Where did you ever ship"
I handed him my certificate. The indorse-
| ments from Admiral Keays and Capt. Ar
mold impressed him. He stared at me
again. and a CLEAN of cunning crept into
his eyes.
Nothing crooked about this?" he breath
| ed softly.
1 had the key to this side of his character.
| You remember 1 had overheard the night
| before his statement of his moral scruples.
! I said nothing. but looked knowing.
What was it?" he murmured. plain