Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-15

baron READ tne sfIllle according TO MS own
diagnosis. He was sure that this well edu-
Gated, gentlemanly. yet morose hammered,
young Englshman was under cloud.-that
he had broken his country's laws, and been
broken himself in the process. And Won Kerber
was searching for men of that stamp. They
faith to testimonials. certificates, and similar
vouchers of repute, might shy at.
Il think you are one to be trusted" he
went on.
u am glad you think that"
Yes. soon make up my mind. And to-
day you acted one man among thousand
Miss Fenshawe the lady in the carriage, en-
Eghtened me afterward l saw only part of
your fine behavior. You were quick and fear
less Those are the qualities l seek; but
demand obedience too, and a still tongue
yesi"
81 would not betray a man who trusted
me-" said Dick IF l disagreed with you, l
should leave you. I fell out with the son of
my last employer: so 1 left him, fortnight
ago; Yet have kept my reasons to myself .
vivid He had filled the position of foreign
correspondence clerk to an export firm in the
city. One evening. returning late to the
Office, he surprised the typist, a rather pretty
girl, in tears She blurted out some broken
words which led him to interview the young
man who represented the budding talent of
the house: and the result was lamentable. The
senior partner dismissed him next day, telling
him he was lucky he had escaped arrest for
a murderous assault, and, as for the girl, she
was like the rest of her class. anxious only to
inveigle rich young fool into marriage The
point of view of both father and son was novel
to Royson. and their ethics were vile: but
he gave the girl. who was sent away at the
same time. half of the six pounds he had in
his pocket, and wished he had used his fist
instead of his open hand on the junior part
ner's face
This of course had singularly little bearing
on his declaration to Won Kerber. who meta
phorically stuck his talons into that portion
of Royson's utterance which interested him
He bent across the table leaning on his curved
fingers. spread apart, like claws.
"Ah" he said slowly THAT is good. You
would not betray man who trusted you.
You mean that?"
II do"
Every well, then offer you the position
of second mate on my yacht the Aphrodite.
She is sailing vessel, with auxiliary steam.
seaworthy craft, of two hundred and eighty
tons pay well. but ask good service The
salary is twenty pounds month, all found.
The Captain. two officers. and fourteen men
receive ten per cent of the gross profits of
certain undertaking. gross profits re-
in proportion to their
wages. If successful your share. small
though it sounds. will be large enough to make
you comparatively rich man Do you ac-
Dick Royson felt his heart humping against
his ribs why. of course accept" he cried
" But your terms are so generous, to a man
without profession that l must ask you one
thing? Is the affair such as an honest man
can take part in?'
1T is No one can caviI at its honesty
Yet we may encounter difficulties There may
be fighting. not against Government but
to defend our-our gains from those who
would rob us"
I'm with you. heart and souli" cried Roy
son. stirred out of his enforced calmness. In
deed, am exceedingly obliged to you. am
at loss to account for my amazing good luck"
The Baron snapped his fingers with fine
air Good luckl' he exclaimed. There is
no such thing A man with intelligence and
nerve grasps the opportunity when it pre-
sents itself You took it this morning. You
may say that YOU might not have been given
the chance. Nonsense, my dear Mr.. King!
Missing that, you would have found another
Let me tell you that have created place
for you on the ships roll. You took my fancy.
l had already secured my crew They are all
Englishmen-stupid fellows. some of them,
but trustworthy You are a trustworthy
race, yes9"
"That is Our repute have met excep-
tons"
"Oh, as for that. every man has his price.
That is why pay well Now, / am going out
to dine. The Aphrodite sails this week You
will sign an agreement, yes?"
Delighted" said Dick though bitter ex-
perience had taught him that Won Kerber's