Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1908-08-27

| IS - enjoyed paved ground
lJ and the sights aSd ways
of cities. and he walked hmlessly
about the lighted thoroughfares of the
capital with conscious pleasure in the
movement and color of life. He let
his eyes follow the Washington monu-
| ment's 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
nue., he stroiled 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 nncon-
sciously lifted his hat. though the am
bassador was deep in thought and did
not see him Armitage struck the
pavement smartly with his stick as he
walked slowly on, bordering. but he
was conscious moment later that
some one was lettering persistently in
his wake. Armitage was at once on
the alert with all his faculties sharp
ened. 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 pleasant
zest creeps into it, and in Armitage's
case the reaction was immediate He
was even amused to reflect that tn
shadow had chosen for his exploit
what is probably the most conspicu
Gus and the best guarded spot il,
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 preliminary view OF
the sights of the capital. A man still
fingered behind him, drawing nearer
now. at a moment when they had the
sidewalk comparatively free to them
selves. The fellow was short, but OF
soldierly erectness and even in his
lettering pace lifted his feet with the
, quick precision of the drilled man
Armitage walked to the corner Of
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 logging the fellows steps
closely for twenty yards, then passed
him.
When he had gained the advantage
OF a few feet Armitage stopped sud
denly and spoke to the man in the
casual tone he might have used in ad
dressing passing acquaintance.
"AIy friend he said, there are two
policemen across the street If 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! II you are
hired
"Nein! Nein! You do me wrong.
sir
.'Then if you are not hired you are
your own master, and you serve your
self III when you take the trouble to
follow me. Now Pm going to finish
my walk, and beg you to keep out OF
my way. This is not place where
liberties may be infringed with i'm
punity. Good evening, sirF'
Armitage wheeled about sharply. and
as his face came into the full light Of
the street lamps the stranger stared ut
him intently.
tTo be- continued nsxt wsek.)