The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-09-18


| had reached the somber facade of the
| treasury building he paused and
| studied 1t in the glare of the electric
| lights as though he were chance
traveller taking a preliminary view OF
the sights of the capital. A man still
| fingered behind him. drawing nearer
now, at n moment when they had the
! sidewalk comparatively free to them
| selves. The fellow was short, but OF
| soldierly erectness and even In his
i lettering pace lifted his feet with the
quick precision of the drilled man.
| Armitage walked to the corner or
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 dcgglng the fellows steps
closely for twenty yards, then passed
him.
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 a passing acquaintance.
"My friend" he said, there are two
policemen across the street. If you
continue to follow me I shall call their
attention to YOU"
Pardon me-
"You are watching me. and the thing
won't do"
Eyes, I'm watching you, butt
"But the thing won't do! If 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 i'll 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 a place where
liberties may be infringed with i'm
punity. Good evening, STRIP
Armitage wheeled about sharply, and
as his face came into the full light Of
the street lamps the stranger stared at
him intently.
Armitage was fumbling in his pock-
ct for coin, but this impertinence
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 spy as we'll as the
Servian 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 in
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
n smooth shaved, weather beaten face.
blue eyes and light hair.
Pardon me. You are mistaken. I
am not spy. But it is wonderful; it
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. 81
should hate awfully to appeal to the
police, but you must not crowd me too
far"
The man seemed moved by deep feel
ing, and his eyes were bright with ex-
element His hands clasped tightly
the railing that protected the glass
window of the bookshop. AS Armitage
turned away impatiently the man ejac-
ulated huskily. as though some over
mastering influence wrung the words
from him:
Don't you know me? l am Oscar.
Don't you remember me and the great
forest. where l taught you to shoot
and fish? You are
He bent toward Armitage with a
fierce insistence, his eyes blazing in his
eagerness to be understood.
John Armitage turned again to the /
window, leaned lightly upon the iron
railing and studied the title Of book
attentively. He was silently absorbed
for full minute. In which the man
who had followed him waited. Taking
his cue from Armitage's manner, he
appeared to be deeply interested in the
booksellers display. but the excitement
still glittered in his eyes.
Armitage was thinking swiftly, and
his thoughts covered very wide
range of time and place as he stood
there. Then he spoke very deliberate
ly and coolly, but with certain per-
emptory sharpness.
eco ahead Of me to the New Ameri-
can and wait in the Office until I
come"
The mans hand went to his hat.
"None of that!
Armtage arrested him with a ges-
ture. MY name Is Armitage-John
Armitage," he said. II advise you to
remember 1t. Now go!'
The man hurried away, and Armi-
tage slowly followed.
1t occurred to him that the man
might be of use. and with this In mind
IA I