Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-14
The Spitfire
Continued from page 4

one of them, then Joseph Larris was commit
ting grievous breach of etiquette. Therefore
he shook his head, and approached the visitor
with sort of choked humility.
Il meant no impudence, sir. and hope you
will so take it. but what with Mr.. Girard in
London. ordering me to wait for him. and in
a foreign country. with many sharpers
about you'll pardon man for being bit
careful. SIR
Ormond checked an angry retort regarded
the Captain critically. and smiled. oh! l
begin to see. Haven't you received instruc-
tions from Mr.. Girard?"
No. sir. l haven't
This time the stranger laughed and. by
the way, it was rather pleasing laugh.
Then that accounts for it.. he said. as he
once more turned to the troubled officer Its
all right Captain. l understand perfectly:
Listen to this" He produced telegram and
began to read. as follows:
"MR. JAMES ORMoND.
Hotel Du Bots. Calais. France
"Spitfre in port. just off mole. Clears to-
night: Tracy to meet you. Go on board and
take full charge Of
=" What" roared Captain Joe. Take full
charge of this yacht You: SIR And me the
sailing master! Why. sir"
-, Exactly" interrupted Ormond. smiling.
Listen to the rest:
take full charge of course and anchorage.
Have wired instructions to Valda and Captain
Larris. See you in New York-twentieth.
"MARcUs GIRARD."
There you are concluded the stranger.
Read it for yourself.
Captain Zoe took the telegram as directed,
read it twice through in silence. and handed
it back again.
I'm not denying it's on the paper. sir. I'm
not denying it. but" He paused and left
the rest to imagination.
Ormond nodded indulgently. Right. my
friend. l commend your caution. | know. of
course. that my introduction may seem a
trife unusual but the interests of MIR. Girard
have made it necessary and think you will
find everything correct and Shlpshape. Is
Miss Valda aboarde"
No. sir she's ashore"
When will she return!"
She's shopping. Sir.
That settled it. So far as masculine expert
ence was concerned. the visitor was prepared
to expect her in five minutes five hours. as
the exigencies of the feminine art of purchase
demanded. He seated himself in steamer
chair and produced his cigar case.
Smoker"
Thank you. nc" returned the Captain,
with shade Of gruffness. When smoke,
smoke e Ike a j pipe
No wonder you are suspicious of human
nature! But by the way. if you want to
wire Mr.. Girard. you had better do so at once.
He sails this evening at eight-for New York"
"What?"
"Just So" reiterated Ormond. glancing at
his watch. You will probably catch him at
MS nOtel. the VICTORIA
The Captain drew in his breath sharply
"I-I think l will wait for Miss Valda sir"
'Oh. just as you like" said Ormond with
irritating carelessness. It's all one to me.
you know. l merely thought you might like
to verify this despatch of mine. Pray. par
don my presumption in suggesting it.
Whereupon the cool interloper assumed an
air of further refrigeration. took out news
paper. and proceeded to ignore Captain Joe
as completely as though he was part of the
polished deck rail.
THE Captain waited for few uncomfortable
moments, then climbed slowly to the
bridge. where he stood for half an hour scratch
ing his rough blue chin in troubled thought
That Girard would sail for New York on the
regular ocean steamer when he might cross
the Channel and travel at ease on his own
yacht. was past belief. That he should not
only do this. but send an utterly unknown
man to dictate sailing orders and lord it over
three women and entire crew, simply
preposterous. Yet. on the other hand.
Girards mysterious business affairs might
lead him to give orders that mere sailing
master was not supposed to criticize. no mat
ter how apparently mad such orders CHANGED
to lie.
Captain Joe did not like this stranger. Just
why. he was unable to say. True the man
possessed polish; but SO did the brass deck
rail- and. to the seaman's untutored mind.
the man possessed more brass than polish