New-York tribune., 1907-10-13

the situation foolish In all that long journey
down the eastern coast he learned nothing whatever
Of importance.
His DELAYED train dropped him off late at night in
the Florida town, and he was compelled to seek
lodging with strangers or to sleep in the open. He
chose the latter course and went out below the city
across the bridge and toward the Punch Bowl where
he found rest beside the road till early morning.
When the first rays Of the were hlterlng through
the great and drenChing the Creepers with
light he returned to the city assisted on his way by
a kindly farmer who driving IN for supplies.
From him he learned where the Chinese laundres
situated; but could gather nothing whatever
confirming his suspicious that the Government was
either in possession of a plant this point
conducting any experiments IN the vicinity.
Still disguised and acting upon what had been told
him, he sought the abode of the Chinaman. who was
already sweating over his tubs, and found hlm
BILE to persuasion and desrous of giving assistance
when paid considerable sums OF protection money.
His horn of plenty was golden one, but proved
useless day Of fruitcss effort, his most careful
inquiries bringing nothing in the way of return
Tired and discouraged, he passed the early part of
the night in sleep from which he was aroused by
nightmares of horror and orebodngs of failure, his
mental state rObbing HIM of rest.
In the hope that fatigue would cure insomnia. he
donued his clothing and sauntered away through the
deserted streets his heavy leather soles Clumping
upon board walks and across sandy patches II was
past one O'Clock IN the morning, and all was still
lie wandered idly along the main thoroughfare and
reached the lar end of the town, before his attention
attracted by sound from the water front, where
holowly through the stiffness steam winch
Chugglng and sputtering It tolled away with its
load. It brought hlm To a quick halt and aroused
IN his mind "a multitude of questions, because along
the entire shore line of this great country craft
was loading and none arriving. according to
his knowledge. He hastily directed his steps toward
the wharvc-, stetlthliy seeking the shadows of the
palm and stopping now and then % avoid any
chance OF being observed
Lying against the pier was a small gunboat of the
United States navy. which was receiving supplies
and the men AT work We're evidently hUrryug at
their utmost. The vessel had not been there during
the daylight hours.-ot tins he was certain. hence
Il
desire for secrecy. His nerves keyed up in the hope
OF discovery. alert and ,nQui,it.vc he crcpt close
to the freight shed where the lights threw huge
spots ol white
So this accounted for the disposal of those ruv5-
FERROUS orders which had been reported % him by
Meredith and others But where could they be
bound, What WAS the destination IF this ship
which. even as he watched, was casting OF her lines
preparatory to sailing away into the night,
In his anxiety he was ON the verge of rushing out
and trusting TO any convenient prctext when a boy
hOmeward bound. Here was the SpV's opportunity
and he accepted II. He hailed the lad, and pigeon
English told him he wanted to get aboard the vessel
if he could
Well YOU can't DO it % came the response If
YOU wanted 10 glt on. why didn't you after the
ship instead OF stopping me
Where She go,' qucrcd Sego
oh, YOU want 10 know where shes going now
do YOU, Mr. Chlnk Well, fellow on the dock said
she going to Guantanamo and that means YOU
cOuldn 60 her If wanted to. ."
Then with 4 dcrlsve laugh he took up the strain
of his melody AZ exactly the place he had left
off when accosted thrust his hands into his pockets
Seigo was elated That accounted for it. then,
The United States was playing some crafty game,
using ITS Cuban naval station a base, was con
ductlng some experiment or OuttttIng some strange
expedition with necessities that could not bc OBJ
tanned IN the blg island 10 the south The only per
turbmg Thought was that the navy, instead of being
inactive. had some secret task hand which had
been taken away from home stations. He decided
ne must return to Washington with this single strand