Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-26
CHAPTER XIII.
A Cockney Conspirator


falf-emptied tuTlbler in front of him Pres
entity he stumbled out to the deck. 1t
was a dark night. and strong head-w wind
was blowing. He CROPPED his way to the
railing and leaned over. with his head half
buried in his hands. Below. the black
tossing sea was churning into phosphorus
cent spray. the steamer drove onward
INFO the night.
Was II he. indeed-George Richardson?
He doubted it. The world of tape meas
nres and calico counters seemed far
away; the interior of lis Quondam lodgings
In by-street Of Islngtun. unfamiliar
and impossible. He felt himself swallowed
up in this new and Nbewildering existence,
of which he was so insignificant an atom.
the existence where tragedy reared her
gloomy head, and the shadows of great
things doomed around him. Down there
in the cold restless waste of black waters
what was it that he saw? The sweat broke
out upon his forehead. the blood seemed
turned to ice in his veins He knew very
well that his fancy Knocked him, that it
was not indeed a mans white face gleam-
ing ON the crest of the waves But none
tic less he terrified:
Mr.. Richardson was certainly nervous
Not all the brandy he had drunk-and he
lis lfe-affor1ed him the least protection
from these CHASTITY fancies The step of a
sailor on the deck made him shiver; the
thought of his empty state room was a
horror. He tried to think of the woman
at whose bidding he had left behind him
l>HnGton. and the things that belonged to
lslinEton. He tried to recall her soft
suggestive whispers. the Slances which
promised more even than her spoken words
all the perfume and mystery of her wonder
lui presence. Her very name was an al
lurement Mademoisclle Violet, How soft
~ 1t fell from the lips, God in
heaven, what was that? He started round
trembling in every limb. 1t was nothing
more than the closing of the smoking room
door behind him. Sailors with buckets and
mo2s were already beginning their nightly
tasks. He must go to his state room,
SemenGw or other, he must get through
,!ie did it, but ne was not \ very nro-
possessing looking object when he stag
ErTed out on deck twelve hours later, into
lhe noon sunshine, The chair toward
which lie looked SO eagerly was occupied
II" scarcely knew himself whether that
NIUE guip of acute feeling. which shot
through his veins. was of relief or disap-
ioih'mGnt Nhlte he hesitated. Wingrave
raised his head. WinGrave did not. as a
RUE, speak to his feilow-pa passengers OF
Richardson he had not hitherto taken the
sightest notice. Yet this morning, of all
others. he addressed him.
believe, he said holding If ont
toward him, that this envelope is yours
l found 1t under your chair
i'ichardson muttered something inarticu-
Iale, and almost snatched it away 1t was
tne envelope of the fatal letter which
Nlademoiselle Violet had written him to
Queenstown ~ :"
sit down. Mr. Richardson. if Won arc
a
~; Il was hoping that l might. See YOU
tIls. morning. Can you spare me few
Richardson subsidized into his chair His
heart was humping against his ribs. Win
graves voice sounded to him like a far-off
thing. VIZ
The handwriting upon that envelope
which | have just restored to you. Mr..
Richardson, is we'll known to me-" Win
grave CONTINUED. gazing steadfastly at the
young man whom he was addressing
The envelope! the handwriting,' Rich
ardson faltered lit was FROM
eyebrows. 1
"Ahr' he said. I'VE need not mention
the ladys name. That she should be a
correspondent of yours, however, helps me
to understand better several matters which
nave somewhat puzzled me lately No.
don't go, my dear sir We must really
have ffis affair Strengthened OUT
What AFFAIR." Richardson demanded
with very weak attempt at buster. II
UoU understand yOu-dOn't uTldorSt nd
at ALL" 'oo
Wingrave leaned little forward in his
chair: His eyebrows were drawn close
together: his gaze was entirely merciless
n,,n lou are not well this morning" he re-
marked. "A little headache perhaps,
Won't you try one of these. phenacetine
lozenges-excellent things for a headache
! believe? Warranted. in fact. to cure ali
bodily ailments forever, What, Won don't
like the look Of them?"
The young man covered back in his
mar; he was gripping the sides tightly
with both hands. and the paIlor of ghast-
ly rear had spread over his face
I-don't know what you mean" he fall
tered Il haven't a headache."
Wlngrave looked thoughtfully at the box
between his fingers.
If you took one Of these. Mr. Richard
son. he said, you would never have an
other, at any rate. Now, tell me- sir, how
You came by them!'
Il know nothing about" the youno
man began. 'Ae
Don't lie to me, sir" Wingrave said
Sharply Il have been wondering what
me afe you meant by hanging around
hngs. to put your chair next to mine. and
pretending to read. while all the time Won
We're trying to overhear any scraps of con-
1 thought you We're simply guilty of i'm
pertinent curiosity. This however rather
alters the look of affairs
What does?" Richardson asked fa,nt,y
Perhaps not" Wingrave answered, but
yos found 1t In my state room and filled II
up with its present contents NV servant
saw You coming out and Immediately went
IN 10 see what you had stolen and report
you. He found nothing missing. but he
found this box full of lozenges, which he
knows quite well was half full before YOU
went In. Now, what was your object Mr.
richardson; In tamperlng with that box
upon my shelf?' N
Il have-I have never seen II before "
richardson declared. Il have never been
in your state room,' eA
Inc deck steward was passing. Win
wish you would ask my servant To
step this way, he said You Will find
MN In my Stateroom.'
The man disappeared through the COM
panfon way. Richardson rose to his feet
M not going to stay here to be bullied
on III
,,"One moment" Wingrave said 'If Won
leave me now, 1 shall ask the captain to
place you under arrest"
richardson looked half feartully around.
What for?'
Attempted murder. Very clums,lv at
less o
Tho young man collapsed Winsraye,s
servant came down the deck.
You sent for me, sir?" he INQUIRED re