The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1909-12-17
n defiance of all the laws OF the

7 in defiance of all the laws OF the
German Empire, 1t was. indeed.
strange situation! 1t eXhilarated him,
nevertheless. as he slipped his brandy
and soda, wishing right heartily that
he had been in France, where one
can get decent brandy.
Basil Marriott's temperament was
curious. 1t was not quite that or the
modern day He resembled more an
Elizabethan, not being subject to
many of those modern influences
which go to make up the nervous and
apprehenSive man, even though per
sonal bravery of an extreme character
may be united with such disabilities.
Captain Marriott had always en-
joyed perfect health from his youth
up. His progress in the world had
been uniformly successful. His eX
uberance of spirits had never degen-
Grated into licence. His careleSsneSS
Of unessentials had never forbade him
to profit by his opportunities. In
short. Captain Marriott was a fine
product of his day, and singular
relict of another, both facts resulting
in a SINCE one-that he was one OF
the happiest men in Europe. one of
the keenest, one of the sanest ma.
chimes that the life of today could
show. He had not the depth of pur'
pose OF Michael Grant, because he had
not delved so deeply into problems.
Grant himself was physically a finer
man even than Marriott. He was the
greatest athlete of his day. Marriott
also was not without considerable in
tellectual power, but he had not prob
ed into the meanings of things, the
mysteries of life, as Michael Grant
had.
Marriott knew nothing and cared tc
know nothing Of the great stream
of human tears which is always fall
ing through the shadows of the
world" Grant had seen it in his
mind, and the truth often came to
him sadly on his way through life.
AS the sailor sat there-and he
could survey the whole of the landing
through the glass doors Of the room
where he was smoking-he suddenly
jumped up from his seat.
Michael Grant had come up the
stairs with swift footsteps. and was
about to mount higher, when Basil
burst through the swing doors and
stopped him.
Come in here" Basil said.
Grant looked at him in an agitated
way.
Good heavens." he said Mar.
riott, what has happened to the spy!
Have you left him? Is it wise?"
He is all right, my dear fellow,
Marriott rejoined. I've had little
conversation with him and promised
him some money, which l expect
when We go up to see him, you will
have the pleasure of paying He is
sure to give the whole thing away
as sure as eggs are eggs! l have put
very solid fear into him, and he is
simply sitting on the fence between
two emotions-one is fear Of what We
are going to do with him, the other
is hope that we are going to overbid
his present employers"
Yes, but supposing it is all pre-
tence?" Grant whispered, hurriedly,
looking round the smoking-room,
which was nearly empty, with trou-
bled glance. "Supposing that he has
got away!"
My dear Grant," Basil returned,
please don't talk such nonsense. AT
ter our little conversation, tied him
up rather more securely than before.
gave him a brandy and soda, put the
gag back in his mouth, shut the cup
board door, locked the door of my
bedroom, and now I've got the key in
my pocket. Do you really think, my
athletic friend, that sailors half-hitch-
es are to be worried out of in half an
| hour?"
Grant smiled little grimly.
well, that is all right" he said.
"Of course, l had forgotten that you
would not be likely to make a mistake
| in a question of such urgency, and
| think you have made a very good
move in opening out negotiations with
| the man."
| (To be continued)