The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-12-18
LLOYD OSBOURNE
co1yriFht. l0II by the BobbslAsefrill Conpaay.


 and to know they were dependent on the charity of those disdainful ob- servers, who gave no sign of weIcom- ing them. S:
 But an instant later they were ac- costed by a young man, also in uni form, who, advancing hurriedlys bow ed and in broken English said, Beg pardon, instructed by captain, follow me, please be so kind.''
 Guiding them down the stairway to the deck beneath, he led them along a. passageway to a cabin, into which he ushered them with this concluding statement: ''Instructed by captain, you are here to remain, please be so hnd.' With that he sa1uted, clicked his heels with Teutonic formaIity and departed presumably Instructed by captain" to report their incarceration.
 It was without doubt an officers cabin and was prett1ly decorated with photographs, fans, shells, cotiIlion fa- vors and other trifing naementoes. The pair, thus oddly imprisoned in it, felt q lessening of their tremors and laugh ed at the sight of themselves in the glass.
 '"They ought to be afraid of us,'' ex- claimed Chris with saucy confidence, twining her arms about Matt's neck and studying the effect. '.I look like the widow of an organ grinder on the bread line, and by the time I've comb ed your hair bit you might>pass as a Siberian exile who had escaped in garbage can"
 The young officer. returned and stood blinking at them tremendously in the doorway.
 Instructed by captain, your pres ence is requested, please be so kind" he said, addressing Matt. As Chris rose also she was told to stay behind.
 Instructed by capta1n;j no, no; please be so kind.' exclaimed the young officer. barring her away. ''In- structed by captain. The gentleman only will follow me. Please be so kind.''
 It was not without hesitation that Matt obeyed. He felt a certain chill ing of the confidence that had ami mated him before. The young officers tone was masterful in spite of the punctiliousness of his words and car. ried with it disquieting authority.
 The young man led him through va rious passages and finally brought him to what was evidently the ships wardroom. Here, seated about the head of the table, were five oldish, grave looking officers in undress uni form. One, white haired, dignif1ed and somewhat bald, wore the insignia of rear admiral
 Good day." he said 8curtly in fair English, motioning Matt to come near. CT and dismissing his -companion with a wave of the hand. 'tWe would like to talk with you, sir.''
 "I'm at your service,' returned Matt, advancing and drawing himself up very straight, as no offer was made to give him seat. May I take the liberty of asking the name of this ship and her nationality?" -
 The old admiral stared at him fro. zenly
 Tt is I who will ask the questions" he rasped out, land you will be good enough to answer them. Let me say directly that evasions will be useless and vat we want is the truth.'' He ut tered the last words with sort of snarl, which was taken up by the others in angry murmur
 'I am an American citizen,' said Matt, with spirit. i've committed no crime, and I warn you that the conse- quences will be serious if you inter fere with me-"
 ''We are not discussing international law sneered the admiral. "Might is right, as you say in English. Our pa tience with you is exhausted. You will tell US ware is a certain individual, or else we make you.''
 John Mort! So it was he they were after? This ship, these officers, the rendezvous in midecean-alI were part and parcel of the same extraordinary business In spite of his bold front Matt quailed inwardly. Beads of. sweat started on his forehead. He felt like man on the eve of execution.
 "I don't know what you mean" he said at last ''An individual? What individual?''
 Were not here to waste time with such breparication,'' returned the ad- miral, accentuating every word with a rap of his knuck1es on the table large, misshapen knuckIes, swollen with gout. You know very well who 1t is we want, though what you do not apprehend is our determination to extort the truth. We are not milksops like those others, wffo failed so wretch edIy in America. We will have the truth if we have to take your skin with it. Vat is your answer to that, Mistaire Broughton?"
 ''That I am American citizen," retorted Matt in an unhincaing voice.