Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-22

drove through It's picturesque streets IN broad
were delighted with the lines of the Aphrodite
when they saw her in the spacious dock. Her
tapering bows and rakish build gave her an
appearance of greater size than her tonnage
warranted Royson was sailor enough to per-
ceive that her masts and spars were intended
for USE and when he reached her deck, to
which much scrubbing and vigorous holy
stoning had given the color of new bread, he
knew that none but men trained on warship
had coiled each rope and polished every inch
of shining brass.
And his heart sank a little then The looks
and carriage of the few sailors visible at the
moment betokened their training. How could
he hope to hold his own with them! The first
day at sea must reveal his incompetence. He
would be the laughing stock OF the crew.
He was almost nervous when an understood
hairy parsonage showed grinning face up
companionway and hailed Stump joyfuly.
Then the Captain did thing which went far
to prove that true gentility is not matter of
department or mincing phrase.
Keep mum before this crowd, he NUT
tered. "Stand by, and I'll pull you through"
Stump extended a gigantic hand to the
hairy one. Glad to see you again, old Never
Fall he roared. Let me introduce. our sec
ond mate. Mr.. Tagg-Mr. King. An now.
Tagg, watts for breakfast Mr.. King an me
can eat a Frenchman if you have nothin'
tastier aboard
Royson was relieved to find that he had
practically no duties to perform until the
yacht sailed. She had been coaled and pro-
visioned by Marseilles firm of shipping
agents, and only awaited telegraphic orders
to get up steam, in case the wind was
favorable for beating down the Gulf of Lions,
when Fenshawe and his party arrived.
Every member of the crew was of British
birth, and Britons are not as rule endowed
with the gift of tongues. Hence, Royson was
the only man on board who spoke French,
and this fact led directly to his active par
| or in fho cf IF he of
love and death in which all unconsciously he
was playing leading part. On the day after
his arrival in the French port, the head part
ner of the firm of local agents came on board,
and explained that by inadvertence some cases
of claret of inferior vintage had been substi
tuted for the wine ordered. The mistake had
been discovered in the counting house, and he
was all apologies.
Royson and he chatted together while the
goods were being exchanged, and in the end
the polite Frenchman invited the officers to
dine with him, and visit the Palais de Glaze,
where some daring young woman was an
nounced to do things in motor car which in
England are attempted only by motor omni-
buses
Stump, who would not leave the yacht, per-
mitted Tagg and Royson to accept the prof
fered civility. They passed a pleasant even
ing, and saw the female acrobat negotiate a
through space by the automobile. Then they
elected to walk to No. 3 Basin, distance of
mile and half. 1t was about eleven o'clock
and fine night. The docks road, thorough
fare cut up by railway lines holding long rows
of empty wagons, seemed to be deserted.
Tagg. who slightly lame, though active
as cat on board ship was not able to walk
fast. The two discussed the performance and
other matters of slight interest. and paid little
heed to the movements of half dozen men,
who appeared from behind some coal trucks,
until the strangers advanced toward them in
furtive and threatening way. But nothing
happened. The providers sheered off as quickly
as they came. Tagg, who had the courage
which Providence sends to puny men, glanced
up at Royson and laughed.
Your size saved us from a fight, )" he said.
That gang is up to mischief"
II wonder what they are planning" said
Royson, looking back to see if he could dis
tinguish any other wayfarers on the i'll lighted
road.
Robbery, with murder thrown in" was
Tagg's brief comment.
"They had the air of expecting somebody.
Did you think THAR What do you say if we
wait in the shadow few minutes9"
Better mind our own business" said
Tagg but he did not protest further, and
the two halted in the gloom of huge ware
house.
There was nothing visible along the straight
vista of the road; but after few seconds
silence they heard the clatter and rumble of
vehicle crossing distant drawbridge.
"Some skipper comm to his Ship NUT