The Columbus journal., 1909-01-13
CHAPTER v.-Continued.

CHAPTER V.-continued.
In his anxiety he was on the verge
oe rushing cut and trusting to any
convenient pretext, when boy came
hurrying past him, whistling as he
went and homeward bound. Here was
the spy's opportunity, and he ac-
cepted it. He hailed the lad. and in
pigeon English told him he wanted to
get aboard the vessel if he could.
We'll, you can't DO it," came the
response. IF you wanted to git ON,
Why didn't you run after the ship in
stead of stopping me-"
Where she go?" Queried Seigo.
'Oh, you want to know where's she's
going now. do you. Mr. Chink. Well, a
fellow on the dock said she was going
to Guantanamo, and that means you
couldn't go on her if you wanted to-"
Then with derisive laugh he took
up the strain of his melody at exactly
the same place he had left off when
accoSted. thrust his hands into his
pockets and continued his way.
Seigo was elated. That accounted
for it. then, The United States was
playing some crafty game. using its
Cuban nava, station as a base; was
conducting some experiment or out
fitting some strange expedition with
necessities that could not be obtained
in The big island to the south. The
only pertarbing thought was that the
navy, instead OF being inactive. had
some secret task on hand which had
been taken away from home stations.
He decided he must return to Wash
ington with this single strand of in
formation and there endeavor to Sc
cure others. He watched the lights
of the ship grow dim. and then as
furtively as he had come returned to
the home of the iaundryman.
The latter counted his pay and Won
dered why his guest departed for the
north on the early train of that morn
ing. Seigo offered no explanations for
his erratic action, and as he Travelled to
Washington he was in gleeful MOOD.
In due time he arrived. and once more
enSconced himself in his headquarters,
hoping within a few days to gain more
complete knowledge. He was handi
capped in his quest. however, because
he had no actual means of access to
government circles where such data
as he wished might best be obtained.
But again accident favored him, and
again il was in the night when he
sailed forth.
The hour was late when Meredith
brought him word that several visi-
tors had called upon the president.
and, not trusting to others a mission
SO important. he took upon himself the
task of spying upon the great white
building where the ruler of the coun-
try lived. From the darkness of his
alleyway he emerged into a broader
street, when an automobile went
chugging past him. and then. just as
it came beneath the rays of an arc
light. a face leaned to the window, an
arm was extended evidently for the
purpose Of shaking the ash from a
cigar, and Seigo Shrank back. In the
shivering white rays he recognized as
one OF the passengers in the machine
no less a parsonage than the presi-
dent. and with him was another man
whom he believed to be the secretary
of war.
From down the road came the sound
OF another motor. which in turn
whizzed rapidly along, taking the
same direction as the previous car.
Seigo was not certain. but conjectured
that within it were other officials. and.
being a man of action. unhesitatingly
dashed after ii. neared the closed ton
reau, and after breathiess run sue
ceeded in swinging himself to the
springs behind. maintaining his place
by clutchinS the overhang of the fen
derS.
Away through the outskirts he rode.
hearing rothing from within and in
constant danger Of falling of his pre-
carious perch The car gained speed
until his peril was great. for to be
thrown would be TO receive certain in
Jury. His fingers We're strained con-
vuisively in their effort to hold on.
and once he was almost cast off by a
SndIP OSSLNits III thS ioaO- A>o" ES
could only trust to chance that the
automobile on which he rode was fol.
lowing that Of the president: but as
mile after mile was reeled Of without
a sight of the other machine on either
hand. he felt assured that the party
was all one. He leaned out across
one of the great rubber tires and
reered ahead to where now and then
lie could catch the glow OF red back
ramp, and was content. His journey
was not without discomfort. as the
dust OF the road whirled upward and
Into his nostrils in sitting volume
uprIi ne was begrimed and almost
srrangled: ont he ciung on srimly.