The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-12-18

 and outside the law of nations. You cannot frighten me-. sir. You are 8 naval officer, and know as well as do the enormity of such threats, and that it will break you, admiral or not, if you should dare to lay a finger on me-
 That is beside the point" exploded the admiral, reckoning furfously. Come here, and show us that island ware 1t is.''
 Matt stood immovab1e.
 'I can't" he declared. q don't know what you mean. Island? What is-. Iand?"
 His affectatfon of ignorance exasper- ated the five officers, and a file of sea- men marched in and saIuted with the excessive humility peculiar to Ger man ships-of-war. At a guttura1 com mand they closed about Matt. and one, a strapping< fellow with a scar across his cheek, suddenly caught him round the waist.
 To resist was the act of a madman, but Afatts brain was whirling, and his pentup rage burst all bounds. With a wreStler's trick he bent down, carry ing his anta goIist over his head, and crashing him to the deck like a sack of oats. In an instant he was hitting out with his fists. indiscriminately crazily, jaw here, a surly eye there, smash, smash, smash, with blood streaming. blows and yells in return, and rush that sent him under, bury ing him in 8 human avalanche. Had it not been for the officers his life would have been crushed out of him, but they darted into the thick of the melee, re- storing order like so many policemen at street fight.
 Suddenly in the midst of the hubbub a hush fell; officers and men might have been struck by lightning, so in- stantaneous was the change, the si- 1ence, the awe expressed on every face. Matt, getting up and following their gaze, perceived an old man, gaunt and very pale, standing in the doorway, regarding the scene with a peculiar fxity. He was in a blue dressing gown and looked i'll and broken, as though just risen from sick bed; but his eyes belied his bodily weakness, gleaming like coa1s beneath his strag- gling white brows. Matt had a curi- ous shock of recognition. Where had he seen that benign old face, so hazily familiar, like that of some half forgotten friend of his childhood?
 tThe old mans voice was sharp and tremuIouAly impassioned as he advanc- ed slowly into the ward room and ad- dressed the officers. Reproof, indigna- tion and anger were written on every feature. He moved over to Matt and put one arm protectingly about him.
 ''Disgraceful,'' he said in singularly pure English, though with the accent of foreigner, turning from the cring- ing officers. ''They would have it that 10 T,1 h shamed me by their treatment of you. Will you spare me few minutes con- versa ton in my cabin? Time is pre- cious, and feel sure we can come to an agreement more quickly than the gen. tlemen here anticipate"
 Matt acceded willingly, though won dering and mystifed. Beyond, at the far end of the passageway and appar- ently in the extreme stern of the ship, 8 small group of servants in livery were gathered, who were similarly stricken to statues at the sight Of the pair. Walking unsteaGily, more from weakness than the movement of the ship, Matt and his venerable compan- ion supported each other, and at length reached what appeared te be the state cabin.
 It was the largest Matt had ever seen af1oat. taking in the whole beam of the ship. and was furnished with a luxury. undreamed of at sea. Beauti- full antique furniture. glowing oriental rugs, rich dark hangings of faded crimson. slashed with gold-it was like stepping into a medieval palace or the famed splendors of the Yildiz kiosk.
 'fYou must excuse me if 1 return to bed,'' said the old man, whose in creasing weariness was becoming painfully apparent. "Sit there and tell me why you are so stubborn in refus- ing what we ask.''
 Put yourself in my place." Matt re- piled 'tWould you betray the best friend you ever had?''
 'EBetray!'' exclaimed the old man. tAh, that has been at the root of all our troubles, of all our intolerable de- lays and vexations. You think, then, our intentions are not for, the good of this person to whom you are so loyal? You do not know who am?''
 fNo''
 tfWe1l. suppose the poor fools must be commended for that. Mr. Brough- ton, my house has trusted you once, and now the head of it will trust you again, knowing that my confidence will be sacred.'' %.@ <
 Matt nodded
 At this the old man bent forward and breathed the name of that em-. peror-king whose donninions embrace dozen countries and comprise the fifth of Europe. Here. for obvious req sons. it, must be omitted, though in that great cabin it was uttered aloud and squavered on the lips of the ern- peror-king. himself
 Matt repeated it with. amazement as hundred pictures of the man before him recurred to his mind-pictures in magazines and newspapers, in geogra- phy books and school histories. He rose respectfully and bowed. Your maJesty!'' he exclaimed
 "Be seated" commanded the be nignant voice. "Yes; I am that per