The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-11-18
CHAPTER v.


~ Tampa Holton met and had
treaEtas, With several army engineers
VITO had been engaged in laying out
G; Hp sites IN the pine woods back q
TAMPA Then ii the afternoon tie pro
cteded OH q Port Tampa, nine uiles
away Ahead, rising into the blue
ska like some drtata palace il Sahara
the TAMPA Bay Hotel, with its brici,
walls ana cleaning silver doues a1l
minarets,
Il brought hope TO bis heart, and bis
fteps We're more spr!ngy as he bur.
rico toward the Immense structure A
negro boy TOOK his bag Us he entered
the lobby. and The clerk smiled as be
had not done since the winter throug
left The lostelry early in March.
After bath and shave he set out
10 the bay 10 view his new command.
He found her in charge 0. an able
seaman, Conroy, who welcomed him
with enthusiasm.
Holton stepped aboard and chuckled
when he recalled the nparatively
large deck space OF the Scorpion.
The Cnat was almost toy craft. and
yet her regulation torpedo gun on the
after deck, the machine gun forward.
and the little coming tower. heavily
plated with steel, gave adequate hint
that she was by no means built for
pleasure.
81, is likely wen be busy before
long, Conroy," be said. an have my
luggage brought down from the hotel
and come aboard a, once. How many
men have WEI"
only Howard, the engineer. and
me- was the reply.
All right The fewer the better.
Ill return shortly. and perhaps take
| her out"
Wheyeupon Holton stepped out with
blithe stride. In the lobby Of the
hotel he buried his face in Washing.
ton newspaper and spent half.hour
absorbing the war talk Of the day
His reyerie was interrupted by q
hotel page, who handed him a card
bearing the name Jose Rodriguez, Ha.
vana.
MIR. Rodriguez wishes TO know i.
you will DO him the honor OF calling
upon him in his rooms" announced
the boy.
Rodriguez, And who is he'"
He's very wealthy Spaniard who
has been here some time"
Well. then, you will tell Mr.. Rodri.
guez that if he wishes TO see me, he'll
find me here"
Yes. sir, I'll tell him that" and
the boy hurried away.
IL like the nerve Of that" growled
Holton, returning TO his paper.
10 a few moments the Lage stood
before him again.
"Well?" Holton looked up impa'
tie,ltly.
Mr. Rodriguez said. sir, that he
does not wish TO speak TO you in the
lobby, and that II will be best for
you II you visit him as soon as you
can in his rooms"
Holton flushed angrily.
Say, boy. get this STRAIGHT. You
give Mr.. Rodriguez Mr.. Hc.ou's corn
pliments, and say to Mr. koars a
that Mr. Holton says for s,,n 10 60 4
the devil"
The page fed, and HoIton, with =
short laugh, strol!ed over 10 u,
clerks desk.
who is this man Rodriguez WIZ
sends peremptory messss-s TO guess
OF the hotel?" he inquired.
"A curious oGfer. MS thu rorlv
rich as get out, and Wy e>c'ssne
lie very seldom con. o.ty! a., EoU.4
Did he senc for you
Yes. he li1 ne The hov7~. ~ 'As
way. wish YOU'D aayv ~ sr.E 10 d,
from my room alb pel abroad ,lt
Gnat; wjN you|
Certainly. sir" Frriv~ c:ysr 40
order Rotor raia as aa' .a4 ua4
about t. 70 down 70 rs boat NAsa ;
negro ta-f.c a.si o. FL 3rrr.
Ho!tos 'usned .". 3anJf h.s roe Fl
most ool'icag W4th uo.e Nalca IL,
man h'lo out almost az rms lenajl
O.