Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-29

lnVlSlOle. 30 LICK threw MS mead DaCk IN a
characteristic way which people soon learned
to associate with stubborn resolve to see a
crisis through to the end. He ignored Mrs.
Haxton. and spoke to the Captain,
:" am glad the question of my right name
has been raised. he said. When Baron Won
kerber comes on deck | shall ask him to settle
the matter once and for all.
Just So said Stump; e would if l was
YOU
The really important thing is the where
aboutS OF our cabins, interrupted Mrs Hax-
tons clear drawl.
Take the ladies aft--Mr. Royson. an let
EN- choose their quarters directed Stump
.curtly.
Dick would have obeyed in silence had not
Miss Fenshawe thought fit to help him She
had found Mrs. HaxtonS airs somewhat tire
some during the long journey from London
and saw no reason why that woman should be
so ready to bring hornets nest about Roy
SON. ears.
I'VE are not in such desperate hurry to
bestow~ our belongings that you cannot read
your telegram she said to Dick Then she
favored Stump with frank smile II know
YOU mean to start almost Immediately. Cap
tain. and it is possible that Mr. Royson may
wish to send an answer before we leave Mar
settles. You won't be angry if he waits one
moment before he shows us to our state
rooms,
Not at all. miss" said the skipper Hes
at your service. can do without him-easy"
Stump angry with Dick and did not
hesitate to show it. blunt man. of plain
speech. he resented anything in the nature of
double dealing Roysons remarkable pro-
ficiency in most matters bearing on the navi-
cation of ship had amazed him in the first
instance. and this Juggling. with names led
him to suspect some deep laid vilainy with
which the midnight attack on Won Kerber
was not wholly unconnected.
But the person most taken aback by lreneS
self assertion was Mrs. Haxton. A firm atti-
tt,de on the girls part came as an unpleasing
novelty. An imperious light leaped to her
eyes: but she checked the words which might
have changed trivial incident into sharp
tussle for supremacy.
=" am sorry" she said quietly. kilograms
are important things sometimes. and the mes
senger is waiting too.
Thus under the fire of many eyes, Royson
tore open the message and read its type
written contents. The words were brief, but
sufficiently bewildering:
Better return to England forthwith. l
undertake full responsibility for advice. and
guarantee you against loss FORBES
FORBES" undoubtedly was his unces So
lcitor. But how was it possible that he should
have discovered the name of the yacht and
her port of departure, And why did he. a
methodical old lawyer. not only disobey his
clients strict injunctions that no help or
assistance of any sort was to be given to a
rebelious nephew, but ignore Dicks own
wishes, and address HIM as Royson. not as
King,
There were twenty questions which might
be asked but staring at the flinsy bit of
paper. with its jerky lettering, would not an
swer any of them And the issue called for
instant decision Already in obedience to a
signal from Stump. men were standing by the
fixed capstans on the mole ready to cast off
the yacht hawsers Perhaps Sir Henry Roy
son was dying? Even in that unlikely event,
of what avail was a title with nothing year:
Certainly the solicitors cautious telegram
might be construed into an offer of financial
aid. That reading implied a more cheerful
view than he had taken hitherto of his pros
poets with regard to the Cuddesham estate,
Yet the only way in which he could meet
Forbes's wishes waste spring ashore then and
there. if such proceeding was practicable,
and abandon the adventure whose byways
were already opening up before his mind eye.
Then Irene said alphabetically, u hope
you have not received any bad news, Mr.
Royson."
The Captains pause before addressing him
by his real name was intended to be ironcal !;
not so the girls hesitaney. Interpreting Dicks
mood with her womans intuition she felt
that he wished to drop any subterfuge now
no matter what his motive might have been
in adopting one hitherto.
Her voice broke the spell which the telegram
with its curious phrasing, had cast on him.
" No, Miss Fenshawe, not bad news, GER
Il.