Milford chronicle., 1908-08-21


n - and the sights and ways
of cities, and he walked aimlessly
about the lighted thoroughfares Of the
q capital with conscious pleasure in the
movement and color of life He let
his eyes follow the Washington monu-
lments 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
hue, he strolled past the White House
and at the wide flung gates paused
while a carriage swept by him at the
driveway. He saw within the grim
face Of Baron Won Marhof and uncon
|sciously lifted his hat though the am
fbassadOr was deep in thought and did
mot see him. Armitage struck the
pavement smartly with his stick as he
walked slowly on. bordering, but he
was conscious a moment later that
some one was lettering persistently in
bis wake. Armitage was at once on
the alert with all his faculties sharp
eRed. 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 a pleasant
IHest creeps into it, and in Armitage's
case the reaction was immediate He
Twas even amused to reflect that tn
shadow had chosen for his eXpioi!
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 a chance
traveller taking a preliminary view Of
the sights of the capital A man still
fingered behind him, drawing nearer
new, at a moment when they had the
sidewalk comparatively free to them
selves. The fellow was short, but Of
so derly erectness and even in his
AAOAlEAAAB BeANE AAAANu MS AEEA Will tux
lquick precision OF the drilled man.
J Armitage walked to the corner Of
d, 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
y opposite direction, and Armitage. |
a quickening his own pace, amused him |
nself by logging the fellows steps
itclOsely for twenty yards, then passed |
sshim.
m When he had gained the advantage |
o,N a few feet Armitage stopped sui |
!, i1enly and spoke to the man in the
usual tone he might have used in ad-
dressing passing acquaintance.
MY friend" he 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 me, and the thing
won't do"
Yes, I'm watching you, butt
But the thing won't do! If you are
hired
"Neinl Neinl You do me a wrong.
sir"
Then If you are not hired you are
your own master, and you serve your
self I'll when you take the trouble to
follow me. Now I'm going to finish
my walk, and l beg you TO keep out OF
my way. This is not a place where
liberties may be infringed with i'm
PANTY. Good evening, siry'
Armitage wheeled about sharply, and
IS his face came into the full light of
the street lamps the stranger stared at
him intently.
Armitage was fumbling in his peck
ct for a coin, but this inpertinence
caused him to change his mind. Two
policemen were 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 Chauvenet had
so promptly put a spy as well as the
Eervian assassin on his trail quickened
his pulse with anger for an instant and
then sobered him.
He continued his walk and paused
presently before an array OF books H.
a shop window. Then some one stop
ped at his side, and he lokoed up to
find the same man he had accosted at
the treasury building lifting his hat
an American soldiers campaign hat
The fellow was an extreme blond. with
q smooth shaved. weather beaten face
blue eyes and light hair.
Pardon me. You are mistaken.
am not a spy. But it is wonderful; It
Is quite wonderful
The mans face was alight with dis
eOvery, with an alert pleasure that
awaited recognition.
my dear fellow, you really become
annoying" and Armitage again thrust
his hand into his trousers pocket 81
ahnnld hate awfully to appeal to the