The Washington herald., 1913-09-28

he has taken such sudden interest
Dawdling over his demi- -tasse, his
friend suggested that they go to the
opera.
1T tempts me greatly, but 1t is i'm
possible besides, I'm not dressed for
evening"" said Tillinghast musingly. La
Gioconda would make any blood stir.
Why is II one always puts something be-
fore his enjoyment?
Il didn't know you ever did, Till. re-
piled the other.
"Oh, I've such a horrible lot of duties, =
responded TilIinghast. I've got to tear
myself away right now just when / am
beginning to be comfortable, and go and
pull young fellow out of the Hudson"
What do you mean?''
"Oh, nothing; only circumstances will
drag me into things that don't in the
least concern me-" With that he rose re-
luctantly and threw away his after-din-
ner cigar as he entered the waiting auto
and started for the Blue Star docks, the
point to which Flaubert's trunks had
been rechecked.
There ne walked aboard one of the big
liners. due TO sail at noon, next day. lie
found a petty officer in charge, who
CHANGED to remember him from former
voyage. Presenting his card Tillinghast
asked for the captain.
EoplISF SlEs he \ dSIpIt. he 'OIl-
pany's giving a banquet and most Of
the officers are there. Could ! do any
thing for you. Mr.. TiIlinghast?" was
the prompt and respectful reply.
TillinEhast seemed very annoyed at
this intelligence. Finally he asked jerk
lily: Il say, could you tell me, have any
of the passengers come aboard tOnight?'
Il haven't heard OF any, sir" was
the hesitant reply; the petty officers
manner seemed uneasy.
You're sure OF that
well, sir, I couldn't say positively
SIR the man squirmed.
The information seemed TO disconcert
Tillinghast. He stood debating for a mo-
ment then nodded abruptly to the Off
Ger and strolled down the gangplank.
II was quite evident the man had or
ders to conceal the presence of some
body who was aboard. OF else he expect
ed some one.
1t seems small to go into hiding like
a cheap detective" smiled Tillinghast
the moment he had reached a dark cor
ner of the dOck-hOuse, where only a few
longshoremen were busy with the bag
gage at that hour. "ISsuppose I'm too
late anyway"
For half an hour he stood, all but
his eyes concealed behind a big bale in
dark corner. He was merely waiting
TO see what luck would bring; he was
taking a chance, following his suspicion
Of the officers manner. The hardest part
of the watch was that he couldn't smoke
As he was growing over this particu-
lar discomfort he saw a furtive little
fellow hurry up the stairway and look
around, as though unaCcustomed to such
places. A moment later a tail young
man, wrapped in an Inverness cape, step
ned hpbinH him and fhnv u-al IN
gether TO the gangpIank, at the foot Of
which a whispered consultation took
place, a new conclusion seemed to be
reached, and the younger man turned
quickly and slipped down the dock stairs,
while the other waited
As the man IN the Inverness passed
the light banging over the stairs, TilIing-
hast made quite sure that IL was young
Tyson.
He slipped silently from his hiding
place and followed the young fellow until
he saw him enter a taxi and whirl away.
Then Tillinghast entered a saloon across
the street and called up Miss Macarthur.
Take a taxi at once" he directed,
drive to the Blue Star docks and tell
the fourth officer on the Angleterre you
are waiting for me. Then watt
Tillinghast slipped back to the boat
and walked boldly past Tyson's little
companion. who still stood at the foot
of the gangplank. The man looked at
him curiously, but Tillinghast started ini-
pudently and the queer little fellow skunk
back to the head Of the dock stairs
Hunting up his officer acquaintance.
Tillinghast said a few hurried words,
slipped a so bill into his nervous palm,
and dived down into the saloon, where
he sat in a dimly lighted corner and
waited.
Twenty minutes later he heard the
tramp Of feet coming down the stairs
from the upper deck and peeEad through
the door just in time to see Tyson, the
little anxious man, and two burly fel-
lows (evidently men he had gone after)
turn down a passageway and pause be-
fore the door to one OF the most elegant
suites on the ship.
Tillinghast rose quickly and waited in
the doorway to the dining saloon as he
saw Tyson and his small companion step
into the suite, the two burly fellows TAX
ing up their stand at either side of the
doorway in the passage.
With a curious twitching at the cor
ners of his mouth. Tillinghast dropped
his hat and stick in corner and saun-
tered down to the weIl-guarded door.
He turned the knob without a glance
at either of the men, who stood back.
evidently awed by his GOODNESS.
Here. What're you tryin' to do?'
cried one of them. suddenly coming to
his senses and grasping Tillinghast's arm
in an iron grip.
Tillnghast turned and smiled: I'm
one OF the witnesses" at the same time
he jerked his arm loose and flung open
the door.
Here! Keep out OF that" cried the
other, leaping for him.
Tillinghast hunched his shoulder and
ined against the mans jaw with a
quick lurch he had learned in college.