The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1909-08-19

you ask me. And. besides we can
say we were only sky-larking, nor did
we touch the man, after all. 1t was
neatly done, though; very neatly
done / wonder what he was up to,
and If he was really trying to listen
at the door of the other cabin?"
1.-THE best thing to do" Grant an
swered, would be to get forward, by
the small smoking-room. Then we
can command the whole port-side of
the deck and watch the doors Of the
cabins. We have another two hours
yet before we make Ostend. II we do
that nothing can happen without our
knowing Of 1t, at any rate"
Marriott agreed, and together the
two friends kept their vigil through
the night.
Nothing occurred at all, and as the
steamer slowly felt its way into the
harbour the companions made their
preparations for landing. They were
in doubt as to whether they should
speak to the Duchess and warn her
cided, however, that upon the whole
it would be better to preserve the at
titude originally decided upon, which
was that the two parties should be
apparently unconscious of each other.
The great trains which start from
Ostend to Germany are drawn close
up to the water. Passengers emery
10 he, 70
the railway line before mounting to
their carriages.
There was twenty minutes at least
before the Rapide would start, and
Marriott, who knew the station we'll,
watched the Duchess. Daisy, and the
maid go to their reserved compart.
ment. He and Michael saw, from a
coign of vantage behind pillar, that
sleeping-car attendant was looking
after them, and then Basil suggested
that they should make dash for the
buffet and see if coffee was available.
They did so, and found a few travel,
ers hurriedly inquiring for refresh
ments, while sleepy Flemish waiter
attended to their wants.
II don't see our friend with the
beard anywhere" Grant said. Il ex.
pect we have given him bit of a
fright"
That may be So" Basil answered,
but il he is the sort Of gentleman
[ take him for-and l shall know
more about him when have had time
to get the contents of this flask an.
alyzed-I don't think he would be
easily frightened. To tell you the
truth, Grant, | believe sincerely we
shall have to be on our guard every
moment of this journey l. believe we
are in actual danger, and il we don't
keep a very constant and bright look
out we shall run foul of some very
odd craft indeed. BY Jove!" He
stopped suddenly.
What is it?" Grant asked, anxious.
ly.
why" Basil replied. your man,
williamson"
Good Lord" Grant answered. Il
had forgotten all about him! | was
so occupied in seeing that the Ouch.
ess and Miss Hobson got safely into
their carriage. But the steward must
surely have pulled him around by
now. I'll go and see. Extraordinary
that l should have forgotten such
thing; but, really, the excitement of
the last few hours makes it most diff.
cult to think of everything"
He turned to leave the buffet, and
even as he did so the door opened and
Williamson himself entered. The
man went up to his master.
Il am much better now, sir" he
said, though his face was the colour
of ashes and his lips twitched 81
had very bad attack of sea-sickness,
sir, and the brandy made me sleepy,
but the steward came up to me, sir,
and pulled me round"
Grant nodded. That's all right"
he said. well, you had better get
into the train now"
He looked quickly at Basil, and the
latter understood that he was to say
nothing of the fact that the brandy
had obviously been drugged.
(To be continued)