Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-08-19
Chapter x :
JOHN ARM1rAaE is sHApowrD.

EaOAVI hotel at 8 o'clock for a
GA walk. He unaffectedly
enjoyed paved ground
e-- and the sights and ways
Of cities, and he walked aimlessly
about the lighted thoroughfares Of the
capital with conscious pleasure In the
movement and color of life. He lei
his eyes follow the Washington monu.
ment's gray line starward, and he stop
ped to enjoy the high poised equestrian
statue of Sherman, to which the starry
dusk gave something of legendary and
old world charm.
Coming out upon PENNSYLVANIA ave-
nue., he strolled past the White House
and at the wide flung gates paused
while carriage swept by him at the
driveway. He saw within the grim
face of Baron Won Marriott and uncon.
sciously lifted his hat. though the am
bassador was deep in thought and did
not see him. Armitage struck the
pavement smartly with his stick as he
walked slowly on, bordering, but he
was conscious moment later chat
some one was lettering persistently in
MS wake. Armitage was at once on
the alert with all his faculties sharp
ened. He turned and gradually slack
ened his pace, and the person behind
him Immediately did likewise.
The sensation of being followed is
at first annoying. Then pleasant
zest creeps into 1t, and in Armitage's
case the reaction was immediate. He
was even amused to reflect that the
shadow had chosen for his exploit
what Is probably the most conspicu-
GUS and the best guarded spot In
. America. 1t was not yet 10 o'clock.
but the streets were comparatively
free Of people. He slackened his pace
gradually and threw open his over
coat. for the night was warm, to give
an impression Of ease, and when he
had reached the somber facade Of the
treasury building he paused and
studied it in the glare of the electric
lights as though he were chance
traveller taking preliminary view of
the sights Of the capital. A man still
fingered behind him, drawing nearer
now, at a moment when they had the
sidewalk comparatively free to them
selves. The fellow was short but of
soldierly erectness and even in his
lettering pace lifted his feet with the
quick precision of the drilled man.
Armitage walked to the corner Of
PENNSYLVANIA avenue and Fifteenth
street, then turned and retraced his
steps slowly past the treasury build
ing. The man. who had been following
faced about. and walked slowly in the
opposite direction. and Armitage,
quickening his own pace, amused him
self by logging the fellows steps
closely for twenty yards, then passed
him. $50 81
When he. had gained the advantage
OF few feet Armitage stopped sud
denly and spoke to the man in the
casual tone he might have used in ad-
dressing passing acquaintance.
My friend" he said, there are two
policemen across the street. If you
continue to follow me shall call their
attention to you"
Pardon me-
You are watching me. and the thing
won't do"
Yes. I'm watching you, butt
But the thing won't do! II you are
hired
"Nein! Nein! You do me a wrong,
SIR"
Then If you are not hired you are
your own master, and you serve your
self Ill when you take the trouble to
follow me. Now I'm going to finish
my walk, and beg you to keep out of
my way. This is not place where
liberties may be infringed with i'm
punity. Good evening, sir1'
Armitage wheeled about sharply. and
as MS face came into the full light of
the street lamps the stranger stared at
him intently.
Armitage was fumbling in his pock-
ct for a coin, but this impertinence
caused him to change his mind. Two
policemen We're walking slowly toward
them, and Armitage, annoyed by the
whole Incident. walked quickly away.
he was not wholly at ease over the
meeting. The fact that Chauyenet had
80 promptly put spy as well as the
Servian assassin on his trail Quickened
his pulse with anger for an instant and
hen sobered him.
he continued his walk and paused
presently before an array of books in
shop window. Then some one stop
,ed at his side. and he loioed up to
lnd the same man he had accosted Mt |
he treasury building lifting his hat,
IN American soldiers campaign hat. |
The fellow was an extreme blond, with
smooth shaved, weather beaten face,
,lue eyes and light hair.
Pardon me. You are mistaken.
I'm not a spy. But 1t is wonderful; it
s quite wonderful
The mans face was alight with dis
'overy. with an alert pleasure that
waited recognition.
my dear fellow. you really become
nnoying," and Armitage again thrust
lis hand into his trousers pocket. ~
hould hate awfully to appeal to the
,olice. but you must not crowd me too
ar"
The man seemed moved by deep feel
ng, and his eyes were bright with ex-
His hands clasped tightly
he railing that projected the glass
window OF the bookshop. AS Armitage
urned away impatiently the man ejac
Hated huskily. us though some over
mastering Influence wrung the words
rom him:
Don't you know me? am Oscar.
Don't you remember me and the great
crest. where l taught you to shoot
nd fish! You are
He bent toward Armitage with
erce insistence, his eyes blazing in his
agerness to be understood
John Armitage turned again to the
'indow. leaned lightly upon the iron
ailing and studied the title of Il book
He was silently absorbed
Dr full minute. in which the man
-ho had followed him waited. Taking
Is cuc> from .Armitages manner, he
nrAa., rad IN In s3onniy infor,,tn,l II, a., |