Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-01-15

the Bluff" asked Bersonin quickly. There
was an odd eagerness in his coloriess face
"a look Of almost dread, which Phil, light
ing his cigarette. did not see. 1t changed
TO relief as the other answered:
mo. Probably 1 shan't be here more
than a few days
The expert settled back in his seat.
'You'n not find the hotel everything II
should be, I'm afraid" he observed more
casually
I'm not there" Phil answered. Live
got little Japanese house"
sol A menage de garcon, chr" The
big man held up his climbing glass to the
light and under cover of 1t his deep-set
yelowish eyes darted a keen, detective
look at Pills averted face. We'll" he
went on, how are your affairs? Has the
stern brother appeared yet2'
Phil shifted uneasily. NO" he replied.
IT expect him pretty soon, though" He
drained the glass the boy had filled
you've been tremendously kind, doctor"
he went on hurredly, ito lend me so much,
without the least bit of security"
"Pshaw!" said Bersonin. why shouldn't
u" He put his hand on the others Shout
der with a friendly gesture. II only wish
money could give me as much pleasure as
It does you, my boy
Phil moved his glass on the table top
in sullen circles. But suppose one hasn't
the 'wherewithal' you talk Off What's
the fun without money, even when you're
young? I've never been able to dis
cover it,"
Find the motley" said Bersonin.
IT wish someone would tell me howl
Bersonins head turned toward the door.
He sat suddenly rigid. It came to Phil
that he was listening intently TO the talk
between the two men in the next room.
Il needn't point QUIT was a measured
voice, cold and incisive and deliberate
that when the American fleet came, two
years ago, conditions were quite different.
The cruise was a national tour de force;
the visit to Japan was incidental. Besides,
there was really no feeling then between
the two nations-that was all a creation
OF the yellow press But the coming of this
European squadron today is a different
thing 1t is a season OF general sensitive
ness and dlstrust and when the ships be-
long 20 a nation between which and japan
there is a real and serious diplomatic ten
sion, well, In my opinion the time is, at
best inoppoTtune."
"Perhaps'-a younger voice was speaking
now, less certain, less poised and a little
hesitant-'perhaps the very danger makes
for caution. People are particularly careful
with matches when there's a lot OF powder
about"
True. as far as intention goes. But there
Is the possibility of some contretemps. You
remember the case OF the Ajax in the
Eighties II was blown up in a friendly
harbor-clearly enough by accident, at
least so far as the other nation was con-
cerned But It was during a time Of strain
and hot blood and you know how mar
rcwiy a great clash was averted II war
had followed regiments would have
marched across the frontier shouting;
Remember the Ajax AS It was, there
was a panic in three bourses. Solid securl-
ties fell to the lowest point in their his
tory The yellow press pounded down the
market and a few spectators on the short
side made gigantic fortunes"
a moments pause ensued. Bersonln 3
fingers we're rigid. There seemed suddenly
to Phil 70 be some significance between
his silence and the conversation-as II he
wished Il to sink into his Phirs. mind
The voice continued:
What has happened once may happen
again, What II one OF those dreadnaughts
by whatever accident should go down in
this friendly harbor? II doesn't take a
vivid imagination 70 picture the headlines
next morning IN the newspapers at homer'
The ice in the tumblers clinked; there
was sound Of pushed-back chairs.
As their departing footsteps died in the
hall Bersonins gaze lifted slowly 20 Phri
face. II had in II now the look II had
held when he gazed from the roof Of the
! bungalow on the Bluff across the anchor.