Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-12-07


Observation-Disclosures, that is. used
to see the loonles playin' in the
grounds. l remember Just as well
One of 'em an me struck up quite al
acquaintance"-
Naturally he'd take to you OF
sight"
"Ow! Strynge 'ow we 1t 1t of
elgh? You myke me think OF I'm
Young chap e was. the livin' spit an
himage of you. 1t don't happen. doe
It, you're the same man? He wal
allus plannin' to run awe an browne
'isself."
He wore the Joke threadbare even t
his own taste and In the end go
heavily to his feet, starting for tn
companionway. Land you this arter
noon," he remarked casually, ''com'
8 o'clock or therabahts-per'aps later
I don't know. though. as ! 'ad ough
to let you loose"
Kirkwood made no answer. Chuc
king, Nryker went on deck.
In the course Of an hour the Amer
ican l,llowed him. The Alethea wa'
within the wide jaws Of the western
Scheldt. Kirkwood approached thu
captain, who, acting as his own pilot
was standing by the wheel and hark
ing sharp orders to the helmsman.
Have you Bradshaw Oh boardf'
asked the young man.
"Steadyw This to the man at thu
wheel; then TO Kirkwood. "Wot's that
me lud7"
Kirkwood repeated his question
stryker eyed him suspiciously for {
thought.
"Wot d. you want It forY
II want to see when can get {
boat back to England"
Hmm! Yes, you'll find Bradshaw
in the port locker, near the for'art
bulkhead. Run along now an ply
an mind you don't 60 tearin' out the
pyges to myke pyper boatses to q
sylin' In"
Kirkwood went below. found th'
designated locker and. opening II. saw
first to his hand the familiar bulky red
volume.
The strap removed, the book opened
easily, as II by force Of habit. at the
precise table he had wished to consult
Some previous client had left marker
between the pagcs-and not an or
dinary bookmark by any manner oi
means. KirkwoOd gave uttcrance io /:
little gasp Of amazement and lnstinc
lively glanced up at the companion
way to see II he were observed
He was not, but for safety's sake b,
moved farther back into the cabin
and out Of the range Of vision OF any
one on deck-a precaution which was
almost Immediately justified by th'
clumplng OF heavy feet upon the steps
as Stryker descended In pursuit OF tbs
ever essential drink.
"Find IT," he demanded. stariaa
blindly with eyes not yet focused "a
the change from light TO gloom at th,
young man. who was sitting with the
guide open on his knees. tightly
clinched fist resting on the transom al
either side Of him.
In reply he received mOnosyliablC
affirmative Kirkwood did not look up
You must be howl" commenced
the captain. making for the seductive
locker.
"a what?'
"a howl. readin' that ilne print therg
In the dark. Wy don't you go over
TO the light; Ill ave TO ave them
shutters tyken of the winders."
I'm all right" Kirkwood went on
studying the book.
Stryker swigged of his rum and
wiped his lips with the back Of Il red
paw. hesitating moment to watch
his guest.
"Mykes II seem more 'omellke for
you, ! expect" he observed.
What do you meanT
"W'y. Bradshaw's first cousin to q
halmanack. amt e? Can't get one
take t'other-next best thing. Sorry
didn't think of 1t sooner; like my pas
sengers to feel comfy. No. don't you
go traipsin' of to gay Paree an squan
derin' wot money you got left. ior
ear?
by the way, captain" Kirkwood
looked up at this. but Stryker was al
ready halfway up the companion.
Cautiously the American opened bis
right fist and held TO the light thai
which had been concealed. close wad
ded In his grasp, square Of sheer
linen edged with lace. crumpled. bu
spotless and dlffusing in the unwhole
some den a faint. intangible fragrance
the veriest wrath Of that elusive per
fume which he would never again In
hale without instantly recalling tha
night ride through London In the init
macy Of a cab.
He closed his eyes and saw bel
again as clearly as though she stoot
before him-hair Of gold massed above
the forehead Of snow. curling in adOra
bic tendrIls at the nape Of her neck
lips like scarlet splushed upon the I'm
maculate whiteness of her skin, heat
poised audaciously In Its spirited
youthful allure, dark eyes smiling thu
least trace sadly beneath the leve
brows.
Unquestionably the handkerchief wa
hers. II proof other than the assur
ance Of his heart were requisite h'
had 1t in the initial delicately embroid
cred In one corner-a D, for Dorothy!
Quivering with excitement, he ben
again over the book and studied 1t in
tently. After all, he had not beer
wrong! He could assert now. withou
fear of refutation. that Stryker hat
lied.
Some one had welded an industrloui
pencil on the page 1t was. taken az
whole. fruitful Of clews. Its very
heading was illuminating. London L
vllssingen Q'lushing) and Breda,
which happened to be the Quickes
and most direct route between LOndor
and Antwerp. Beneath 1t. In the sec
ond column from the right, the pencil
had put check mark against Queens
borough-dep-1h10."
And now he saw 1t clearly. Dol
that he had been not to have divinet
1t ere this. The Alethea had run In Il
Queensborough, landing her passen
gers there that they might make con