The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-07-30
CHAPTER I.

Peter Constable sat forward on the
main deck of his own yacht, the Madame
de Stael, which had just been hitched to
the bottom Of Saint Pierre's harbor- His
single guest for the cruise, Hayden Breen
vas back In the cabin, with book and q
long. thin glass. Three weeks previously
early in April, Constable had met Breen
for the first time. And of that meeting
you must hear.
1t came about some sixty hours before
the Madame cleared from New York har-
Dor and a queer night for both men
Constable had been pacing the deck alone
when he heard a soft step below on the
Brooklyn pier. He bent over the railing
and perceived that stranger was about
to throw himself into the water.
Constable called sharply. The hgure
at the pier edge stiffened, and face
swung upward. The two parleyed for a
moment, and the voice that was borne
to Constable was that of q gentleman.
The man below hesitated-considered
then accepted with laugh an invitation
to come aboard. Presently in the cabin
the owner of the Madame faced an indi-
vidual, tastefully, even freshly attired,
and one whose manner betrayed no flaw
The face was pale, imposing. reckless
face, but not devastated--though the eyes,
perhaps. had a look of having seen toe
mach. For two hours the pair talked
about books, pictures, dollars, the tropics
and suicide. At the end. Constable was
30 strongly impressed that he invited the
stranger 20 be his guest for the cruise.
Breen glanced at him whimsically. II
wonder i; / really did drop of the dock
and this is the astral plane" he mused-
''This is the edge of Brooklyn, and
am serious" Constable said.
This Is the edge of Brooklyn, and
am astonished,' Breen replied
$50 far as / know, you would be my
only guest"
HAD you better not wait until to-mor-
row? Think again."
al should prefer that you say yes
now"
Better hear more about me first.
have spoken only in generalities. My past
Is at your disposal" Breen warned.
al should like to hear much about you
but not in the light of your decision. Will
you 90 With met"
Yes"
Where do you intend to stay to
night?"
You altered my only plan, you will
remember, Mr.. Constable"
-Pll have a berth made up for you
at once. I'm glad you have found it pos
sible to look up the tropics again." the
owner finished
Breen appeared content, and accepted
the various Offices from his host with a
fine, half-humorous appreciation. Con
stable found, in their early intercourse
pulsive invitation. That the other die
not harry him with references to bis kind
ness was, to Constable's way of thinking
the severest test of thoroughbred. Breer
dio not leave the ship. and seldom the
cabin, during the entire period of prepare
ton. He sat in a reclining chair and
read the essayists, mildly spirited. What.
ever had been his attitude before, he &C.
cepted what life offered him now in calm
ness. He still had the jaded humans
last resource, when this unexpected but
pleasant portion of life was at an end
Such seemed to be the philosophy of this
creature who had passed the death sen
tence upon himself.
Constable slept aboard the last night
before sailing. and was at breakfast with
his guest about eight in the morning
when a servant entered the saloon to an
nounce that a gentleman on the piel
wanted to speak with Mr.. Cor stable.
iriend." Breen set his coffee cup dowr
slowly, and his eyes met his hosts.
''Mr. Constable" he said, you have
noted, no doubt, that / have remained
under cover rather closely since our in
teresting meeting. There is no one il
New York whom / care TO see, but thu
person out yonder feels differently to
ward me. In fact, ne is very much alb
sorbed in my movements. Happened Il
step to the railing a few minutes befor'
breakfast, and caught his eye. The trutl
Is. if 1 see him now, he will persuade
me to 90 with him, and l would muci
rather accompany you"
what would you adviser Constable
asked quickly.
with your interests at heart, 1 cal
only advise you to bid me good-by ant
allow me to thank you for many genuin'
courtesies- Perhaps you remember tina
offered to outline my past, and you de
TERED me for the time being.
II want you to go, of course What i
the simplest way to manage thisT'
How soon do you sail?"
Constable went to the speaking tub
and called Captain Negley. A momen
later he turned to Breen with the in
formation that the Madame was jus
ready TO clear, and would be put of a
suietIy and quickly as possible. The ser