The Lamar register., 1908-10-07
CHAPTER xIv.-con.inued.

CHAPTER xIV.-continued.
This was an embarrassing question,
but Sir Charles was saved the neces-
sity of answering. for the midshipman
came running to the quarterback once
more and saluted.
.'Wel?" said the officer to the ex-
pectant boy.
Admiral Kephard's compliments
to you. sir. and he begs you will escort
Captain Seton to his cabin OF once"
You're in luck, captain" returned
the officer, the admiral is not always
so easy of access. VIII you step this
way. s!r?"
After you, SIR" said Sir Charles.
bowling and following the lieutenant
until he was ushered past the marine
orderly on duty and into the ad
IniraI's cabin.
The dmiral was just completing
his toilet. His body servant was help.
ing him on with his coat. lie had
evidently just had bath to refresh
him after the fatigues of his journey.
"Oh. Seton" he cried as the other
came in, glad to see you, man Sit
fetch out a decanter of navy sherry.
Whisky. Seton. whisky. although. pn--
haps you army men afl,ct port
Il guess we can Io-lcw the navy's
ad in something sooner than port"
laughed Sir Charles.
What brought you here. Sir
Charies?" continued the admiral as he
poured out liberal glassful for Sc
ton and another for himself. Il left
you at Darlington. But. no. l remem-
Der you rode away before l did, just
after my lord. Have you come on any
trace OF fugitives?'
Admiral" said Sir Charles. grave
ly, II know where they are"
And that damned lubberly hound,
Strathgate, is he"
He isn't with them. They gave
him the Slip"
You don't say? Good" laughed the
admiral. How was that?"
Seton rapidly detailed the circum-
stances as he had deduced them.
We'll done, that woman has spirit
enough" continued the old soldier, Ito
command a frigate. You will never
convince me that she's taken up with
man of Strathgate's caliber."
She went away with him. though"
said Seton thoughtfully.
"Ay ay, but she knows no more of
the world than a baby. She simply
made use of his proffered assistance
to escape from an intolerable situa-
ton. You take me. Seton?"
Il do, admiral. and l confess hard
" blame her. How Darlington could
tolerate Lady Cecily for a moment
. beside that splendid woman"
ITO say nothing of that other splen-
did woman, Mistress Deborah Slocum
eh. Seton?"
II admit, admiral"
Even Saints Rest becomes
heavenly when looked at by the aid
of such a pair of black eyes? And the
lady. boy?"
II confess, SIR" answered Seton,
somewhat abashed by the frank ques-
tioning of the old man. that l have
some reason to believe, in short
I'm short, my boy. you've been chas-
ling her. all night, have you?"
You're right, sir"
4; And what now?"-
81 told you. admiral. that l knew
where they WERE"
We'll. where are they? Out with
it, lad. Disclose your Information and
come to the point. All these side is
sues are unworthy of soldier"
laughed the old seaman. well knowing
that for most of them he was respon-
sible.
They're on a merchant ship bound
up the channel and going fast when
/ saw them last"
"What?" cried the admiral. Give
me the particulars"
Sir Charles rapidly ran over the
scene of the morning.
The old admiral threw back his head
and laughed.
And she outwitted you ALL shook
Strathgate off the track, led you
ashore, watched Darlington and
Strathgate fight it out under her very
: eyes and got clean away?"
"She hasn't got away yet, admiral"
What mean your"
Il came here to make a proposition
to you"
"a proposition to me?'
Yes"
You have a fast ship at your COM
mand. take It."
DO you mean the Britannia?" said