The state herald., 1909-11-26
ing out upon southampton water.


Out of the merest curiosity Mr.. Van
Torp telegraphed to Cowes to be in.
formed of the exact moment at which
his yacht was under way, and before
six o'clock he had message.
Yacht sailed at 4:S9."
The new owner was 80 much
pleased that he actually smiled, for
Capt. Brown had been 81 minutes bet
ter than his word
Il guess he'll do" though Mr.. Van
Torp. Il only hope may need him."
He was not at all sure that he
should need the Lancashire Lass and
Capt. Brown; but 1t has often been
noticed that in the lives of born flnan-
ciers even their caprices often turn
out to their advantage, and that their
least logical impulses In business mat
ters are worth more than the sober
Judgment Of ordinary men.
As for Capt. Brown, he was a quiet
little person with rather pink face
and sparkling blue eyes. and he knew
his business. In fact he had passed
as extra master He knew that he
was in the service of one of the rich.
est men In the world. and that he COM
manded vessel likely to turn out one
of the finest yachts afloat. and he did
not mean to lose such berth either
by piling up his ship. or by being slow
to do whatever his owner wished
done. within the boundaries of the
possible; but 1t had not occurred to
him that his owner might order = lm
to exceed the limits of anything but
mere possibility, such. for instance,
as those of the law, civil. criminal. ma
tional, or international.
MIR Van Torp had solid nerves, but
when he had sent his yacht to the
only place where he thought he might
possibly make use Of 1t, he realized
that he was wasting valuable time
while Logotheti was making all the
running, and his uncommon natural
energy. finding nothing to work upon
as yet, made him furiously impatient.
1t seemed to hum and sing in his
head, like the steam in an express en-
gine when 1t is waiting to start.
impulse, as soon as he had heard of
Cordova's engagement. Until then he
had not believed that she would ever
accept the Greek. and when he learned
from Lady Maud's letter that the fact
was announced. he saw red" and his
resolution to prevent the marriage
was made then and there. He had
no idea how he should carry 1t out.
but he knew that he must either sue.
coed or come to grief in the attempt,
for as long as he had any money left,
or any strength. he would spend both
lavishly for that one purpose.
Yet he did not know how to begin
and his lack OF imagination exasper'
ated him beyond measure. He was
sleepless and lost his appetite. which
had never happened to him before: he
stayed on In London instead OF going
down to his place in Derbyshire, be
cause he was always sure that he
meant to start for the continent In a
few hours, with an infallible plan for
success; but he did not go.
He was medltating on the future
one morning. over an almost untouched
breakfast, between nine and ten o'clock
when his man Stemp brought visit.
ing card
II was rather large card. bearing
In the middle two or three oddlookng
signs which meant nothing to him
but underneath them he read In plain
characters the single word "Barak."
'Barrack!" grumbled the American.
oh. the writings on the back,
see, Now. that's very curious. must
say he said. after reading the words.
That's very curious" he repeated,
laying strong and equal emphasis on
the last two words Ask him to walk
In Stemp."
Very good. sir"
As the valet went out Mr.. Van Torp
turned his chair half round without
getting up. so that he sat facing the
door A moment later Stcmp had
ushercd In the visitor. and was gone.
A slim youth came forward without
boldness. but without the least timidi.
~. AS II he were approaching an equal.
He had an oval face. no mustache. n
complexion like cream, short and
thick black hair and very clear dark
eyes that met the Americans fearless.
ly. lie was under the average height.
and he wore rather thin. loose gray
clothes that had been made by good
tailor. His hands and feet were
smaller than Europeans
so your. Mr., Barrnek." Mr.. Van
Torp. said. nodding pleasantly.
The young face smiled. and the
parted lips showed quite perfect teeth
"Barnk." answered the young man.
giving the name the right sound
Yes. I understand. but can't pro
nounce II like you. Take n chair. Mr.
Bnrrnck. and draw up to the table"
The young man understood the gcs.
rurc tim, explained the speech and sat
down.
so you're n friend OF Mr.. Logo
thoti'a. and he advised you TO come to