The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1908-05-01

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craft was now loading and none ar
irving, according to his knowledge. He
hastily directed his steps toward the
wharves, stealthily seeking the shad-
W of the palm trees, and stopping
now and then to avoid any chance of
being observed.
Lying against the pier was a small
gunboat of the United States navy,
which was receiving supplies, and the
men at work were evidently hurrying
at their utmost. The vessel had not
been there during the daylight hours
of this he was certain-hence her
loading at night could indicate but
one thing, a desire for secrecy. His
nerves keyed up in the hope of a dis
covery, alert and inquisitive, he crept
close to the freight shed where the arc
lights threw huge spots Of white.
So this accounted for the disposal
of those mysterious orders which had
been reported to him by Meredith and
others! But where could they be
bound? What was the destination of
this ship which, rel as he watched,
was casting off her lines preparatory
to sailing away into the night?
In his anxiety he was on the verge
of rushing out and trusting to any
convenient preteXt, when a boy came
hurrying past him, whistling as he
went and homeward bound. Here was
the spy's opportunity, and he &C.
copied it. He hailed the lad, and in
pigeon English told him he wanted to
get aboard the vessel if he could.
"Well, you can't do It," came the
response. IF you wanted to git on,
why didn't you run after the ship in.
stead of stopping me?"
"Where she go?" queried Seigo.
ooh, you want to know where's she's
going now, do you, MI. Chink. Well, a
fellow OF the dock said she was going
to Guantanamo, and that e you
couldn't go on her If you wanted to-"
Then with a derisive laugh he took
up the strain of his melody at exactly
the same place he had left off when
accosted, thrust his hands into his
pockets and continued his way.
Seigo was elated. That accounted
for it, then! The United States was
playing some crafty game, using its
Cuban naval station as a base; was
conducting some experiment or out
fitting some strange expedition with
necessities that could not be obtained
in the big island to the south. The
only perturbing thought was that the
navy, instead Of being inactive, had
some secret task on hand which had
been taken away from home stations.
He decided he must return to Wash
ington with this single strand of in
formation and there endeavor to Sc
cure others. He watched the lights
of the ship grow dim, and then as
furtively as he had come returned to
the home of the iaundryman.
The latter counted his pay and won
dered why his guest departed for the
north on the early train of that morn
ing. Seigo offered no explanations for
his cratic action, and as he Travelled to
Washington he was in a gleeful mood.
In due time he arrived, and once more
ensconced himself in his headquarters,
hoping within a few days to gain more
complete knowledge. He was handi-
capped in his quest, however, because
he had no actual means of access to
government circles where such data
as he wished might best be obtained.
But again accident favored him, and
again it was in the night when he
sailed forth.
The hour was late when Meredith
brought him word that several visi-
tors had called upon the president,
and. not trusting to others q mission
so important, he took upon himself the
task of spying upon the great white
building where the ruler of the coun
try lived. From the darkness Of his
alleyway he emerged into a broader
street, when an automobile went
chugging past him, and then, Just as
1t came beneath the rays Of an arc
light, a face leaned to the window, an
arm vas extended evidently for the
purpose Of shaking the ash from a
cigar, and Seigo shrank back. In the
%shivering white rays he recognized as
n of the passengers in the machine
no less a parsonage than the presi-
dent, and with him was another man
whom he believed to be the secretary
Of war.
From down the road came the sound
OF another motor, which in turn
whizzed rapidly along. taking the
same direction - the previous car.
seigo was not certain, but c%onjectured
that within It were other omcials, and,
being . man Of action, unhssitatingly
dashed after 1t. neared the closed ton
neau, and after . breathless run sue
ceeded in swinging himself to the
springs behind. maintaining his place
by clutching the overhang Of the fen.
ders.
Away through the outskirts he rode.
hearing nothing from within and in
constant danger of falling of his pre-
carious perch. The a gained speed
until his peril was great. for to be
thrown would be to receive certain in
jury. His fingers were strained con-
vulsively in their effort to hold on,
and once he was almost cast of by a
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