Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-08-15

casual tone ne might have used In ad-
dressing passing acquaintance
My friend" be said. there are two
policemen across the street II you
continue to follow me shall call their
attention to you"
Pardon me-
You are watching rue. and the thing
won't do"
Yes. I'm watching you. but
But the thing won't dol II you are
hired
~Nelni NeIni You do me a wrong.
sir"
Then IL you are not hired you arv
your own master, aud you serve your
self III when you take the trouble Ia
follow me. Now I'm going to flush
my walk. and beg you TO keep out OF
my way. This is not a place where
liberties may be infringcd with inn
punity. Good evening. SIR
Armitage wheeled about sharply. aud
as his face came into the full light Of
the street lamps the stranger stared at
him intently.
Armitage was fumbling In bis pock.
ct for a coin. but this impertinence
caused him 10 change his mind. Two
policemen were walking slowly toward
them, and Armitage. annoyed by the
whole incident. walked quickly away
lac was not wholly at ease over the
meeting. The fact that Chauvenet had
so promptly put a spy rs well as the
Servian assassin on his trail qulckened
his pulse with anger for an instant and
then sobered him
He continued his walk and paused
presently before an array OF books iu
shop window. Then some one stop
ped mt his side. and be lokoed up To
find the same man he bad accosted at
the treasury building lifting his hat
an American soldiers campaign hat
The fellow was an extreme blond with
smooth shaved. weather beaten face
blue eyes and light hair.
Pardon me. You are mistaken. /
am not spy. But IL is wonderful: 90
is quite wonderful
The mans face was alight with dis
covery. with an alert pleasure that
awaited recognition.
"My dear fellow. you really become
annoying" and Armitage again thrust
his hand into his trousers pocket "i
should hate awfully 20 appeal 70 On,
police. but you must not crowd me COO
far"
The man seemed moved 10y deep feel
ing and his eyes were bright with ok
element. His hands clasped tightly
the railing that protected the glass
window OF the bookshop. AS Armitage
turned away impatienuy tie man ejac.
ulated huslSily. as t.oCgn some over
mastering influence vSU2S tic words
from him:
Don't You know nc? am Oscar.
Don't you remember me and tho great
forest. where i taught you 20 shoot
and fish? You are
He bent toward Arm!tage With
fierce inslst'uce. his eyes blazing In bis
eagerncss to be understood.
John Armitage turned again TO the
window, leaned lightly upon the from
railing and studied the title. Of a book
attenuvely. He was silently absorbed
for a full minute. in which the man
who had followed him waited. Taking
lis cue ALun ARM u &c manner, ne
appeared 20 be deeply interested In the
booksellers display. but the excitement
still glittered in bis eyes.
Armitage was thinking swiftly. and
bis thoughts covered a very wide
range OF time and place as be stood
there. Then be spoke very deliberate
ly and coolly. but with a certain per
emptory sharpness.
Go ahead OF me 20 the New Amer
can and wait IN the Office until ]
come"
The mans hand went to bis hat
None OF thatr
Armitage arrested him with 4 ges-
ture. My name Is Armitage-John
Armitage." he said Il advise you 10
remember It. Now go"
The man hurried away. and Arml-
tage slowly followed.
II occurred 10 him that the man
might be OF use. and with this in mini
~ q H