Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-28

pains" said I, marching past him. land
q long wait in this deserted town. Good
day, sir"
striding briskly forward, I entered the
wood and set out along sandy road
that led eastward toward the seashore.
On either side stood q thin growth OF
pines. breaking the sunshine into patches
and blots, spreading their odOr OF balsam
upon the air to mingle with the salty
smell Of the sea. Coarse grass struggled
up In punches here and there between the
tracks and cuts in the sand by cart
wheels; the boughs about me swayed and
sighed in the light breeze. And alto
gether the afternoon. now not Tar from
sunset, was as charming q one in which
to be abroad as the road was pleasant to
follow.
Presently the pines thinned. then ceased.
and the track, winding it's way for 200
yards or so through sparsely erased
sand dunes. at last opened upon the
beach. What a beautiful picture 1t was.
l halted to give myself full, deep
draught of the scene. Far northWard, SO
far that it was scarcely distinguishable.
could make out the lighthouse that
guarded this part Of the coast: southwark
and not half a mile away the long. round
backed rock La Dent thrust itself directly
across the beach and extended into the
sea.
ing strand. washed by combers that un-
rolled their fringe of foam with steady
insistent sound. The sun, just touching
the tips of the pines. still slanted on the
sea: the swaying surface melted into
gold, while the top Of the swells, broken
into a hundred tiny waves by a gentle
breeze. sparkled and flashed from every
facet. Even as l gazed the sun sank be-
hind the wood. A shadow crept forth
upon the water, the rosy warmth faded
<1,o Ion tnr
the waves no longer shot flashing beams.
and only the sails of q boat far out yet
held the golden light
With a sigh of satisfaction l turned
farther side Of which lay the village. The
north end of the island was visible, its
cliff face surmounted by wood. peeping
out beyond the end OF the huge protect
ing ridge of The Tooth. Leisureiy, con-
tented in mind, glad with the wide glad
ness of the sea, / walked on. keeping
close to the border of fiotsam cast up by
the waves. Each roller curved forward,
uncurled its crest and breaking spread
swiftly up the sand almost to my feet in
a CLASSY sheet surfaced with bubbles. In
the line OF drift were tiny spiral shells.
knots of seaweed. buds torn of SUBJ
marine plants, water-worn sticks, all the
curious and fragmentary plumber that
stirs imagination as to the unknown
realms in that world beneath the sea.
Out Of my abstraction 1 was all at
once reused by a figure which emerged
before me from the dunes. Again it was
the German; would the fellow never have
done? Obviously he had followed, cut
across among the hillocks of sand and
thus intercepted me. This affair could
no longer be called trivial. When l drew
near to him he placed himself in front OF
me and lifted his hand.
II regret very much. sir. to importune
you." he greeted. but I must demand
that I be permitted to examine the map
you carry" He spoke rapidly and firmly.
Demand! That's q strong word
Il mean no discourtesy. nevertheless 1
must require you to show me that plan
OF fertilization
See here" said /, 81 don't know who
you are, nor do care to know, but since
you've thrust yourself into my business,
annoyed me with questions, attempted to
ly, and now seek to intimidate me. I'll
state plainly that my patience Is exhaust
ed. that I shall not tolerate it further and
that you'll have to abide by any future
consequences
Thereupon I placed my bag on the sand
and in my turn waited. The first move
should be his, but l intended to be pre-
pared for it, whatever form it might take
Yet it was difficult to believe he would
resort to violence, and / was confirmed
in this opinion by reason Of his standing
in perplexity. After q moment he drew
himself together.
"Sir, you've impugned my motives and
my honor" he said, with dignity, but
I let that pass. / even go fartherI make
an appeal. I am German. as you have
readily guessed: behold in the hands
of q stranger and alien a plan Of one of
my country's Notifications or what be-
lieve to be such. I ask you to permit me
to examine 1t. and II It's not what think
it I'll tender You an ample apology. You
say that interfere in your affairs. Is 1t
not you rather who are interfering in the
affairs of my emperor? What right have
you to that map?"
well at present I've the right OF pos
session. said.
"Ah.' scornful smile broke over his
face. Then it's another kind of man |
have to deal with. / was stupid not to
discover that earlier. Name your price:
I have money"
Go be continued tomorrow