Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-02

Sartin, miss. 1t was about two bells when
that craft hailed us-wasn't it, Bill"
The sailor thus unexpectedly appealed to
was taken by surprise. He nearly swallowed
a quid of tobacco before he answered. That's
correct. 1t struck two bells just arter they
showed off,
do YOU know where Mrs. Haxton meant
to 90? / mean, was she making for the hotel!
II didn't happen to hear, miss. But Mr.
Tagg was talkin' to the lady. P'raps ne can
tell you"
From the silence prevailing among her COM
panions Irene was aware that they were as
much astounded by the mans statement as
she herself. 1t was impossible to discuss the
matter further in front of the boats crew;
but the girl whispered to Royson, who was
sitting near her
Did you ever hear anything more amazing?
She could not have missed us What can be
her object in going off alone"
I'VE may be able to answer those questions.
and Others, when we find out who it was that
came for her"
Some Arab, the man says. How strange
that Mrs. Haxton should be acquainted with
an Arab in Massawal"
Fenshawe bent toward them. do not for
get" he said in low voice. that Mrs Hax-
ton may not have heard earlier of Won Kerber's
arrest l am inclined to think that he has
managed to communicate with her in some
manner. A curious letter l received to-day
may throw light on the problem. l was read
ing it when that hotel man burst IN on me
with the news of your escapade, Irene. 10
tell the truth, have not given much thought
to it since"
Royson was convinced that Mrs. Haxton,
finding the game was up, had flown. But
Tagg's version of the woman's sudden de-
parture did not lend color to this view. He
stated that shore boat came alongside few
minutes before nine o'clock, and an Arab, who
was its sole passenger, stood up and said
clearly:
Me Abdullah. See Madam Haxton."
That seemingly was the full extent of the
mans English He repeated the sentence until
Tagg sent Miss Fenshawe's maid to tell Mrs.
Haxton that an Arab named Abdullah was
asking for her.
"She KEN at once" said Tagg, AN they
began to parleyvoo as quick as you like"
"They spoke French!" broke in Irene, with
a sidelong glance at Dick The far fetched
notion which gripped him instantly had also
occurred to the girl.
Eyes, miss You can allus tell French by the
mongin' an bongin' an tongin' that goes on
At another time Irene would have hailed
Tagg's subtle humor with glee; but there was
an element of deadly earnestness in the history
of the last few hours that kept her strictly to
the issue.
This Arab" she said, was he tall, good
looking man with striped hood to his bur
noose-his outer cloak"
That's him." agreed Tagg. More like
fellow you'd see at Tangier than in these parts.
You know the sort Of chap mean, Capns"
Il do" said Stump. 'Reglar stage Arabs.
they are. sort of Frenchified' with clipped
whiskers."
But please tell me what happened" cried
Irene breathlessly.
well, miss, there amt much to tell. They
had serious confab for five minutes, an then
she tells me she's goin' ashore. Wat time
will we be back, ma am? an I'll send boat,
says /. 1 Dunno says she, l may be late:
SO | shall return in a native boat She axed
your maid, miss, to bring wrap from her
cabin, an she was gone without another
word"
Then that settles it, /" interposed Fenshawe
dryly. Mrs. Haxton is a lady who knows her
own mind She is fully qualified to take care
Of herself. Off you goto bed, Irene! Sufficient
for the day is the excitement thereto. And,
according to present indications, we shall be
kept busy tomorrow. Good night, Mr.. Roy
son. shall be better able to thank you in the
morning"
Irene too held out hand to Dick. Pm
making up all sorts of nice compliments to offer
you," she said pleasantly. You need not
protest. / was gagged for the best part OF an
hour when | very specially wanted to talk, SO |
have whole lot of things to say after break
fast"
Dick read the meaning OF the glance she
flashed at him. Oddly enough, it expressed his
own thought. They must endeavor to find out
how Mrs. Haxton came to be such a close ac-
quaintance of Ell Jaridiah's. Not only had he
risked his life when he fancied she was IN
danger; but she on her part was willing to re-
turn with him to Massawa under cover of the
nioht-to Massawa whence she had fled in ter