The Spectator., 1914-12-18

ing him fast. No sooner was this done,, and the door shut upon them, than iti was opened again to admit Rowe. who was followed by dark little Spaniard, presumably one of the ships officers.
 "Sit down." commanded Rowe, lock ing the door. sf
 Hill paid no attention, standing ,speechless with rage. Rowe drew re- volver from his hip pocket, pulled up an armchair to one side of the table, and pointed to a second seat, which was placed opposite. He indicated the chair with the muzzle of his weapon.
 "Sit down." he repeated politely. Hill sat.
 Now, my dear. mysterious land lord" began Rowe, 'T have at last dis covered your real trade. alwayp thought you were rotten painter, but never dreamed that you were . de- | tective-a epyl"
 But I'm noti" exploded Hill. vainly endeavoring to appear calm. Let me explain. I'm not watching :"
 Pardon mel" said Rowe. Our last meeting, taken in connection with this one explains the situation far more 1 fully than any words of yours are like l ly to do. You are a government spy, and suppose you are chortling at hay l ing caught us with the goods as you Americans say"
 T haven't caught you at anything, so far as know, except striking a tot tering old woman!" responded Hill. And, by God! I'm going to make you smart for that! AS for being secret service man-you are all wrong, there!"
 "Paugh!" exclaimed Rowe, flushing angrily, whats the use of blufingT 1 Why don't you make show of arrest
 ing us?''
 Look here!" exclaimed Hill, re-
 strained from assaulting the man only
 by the sight of the gun that the other
 was still caressing. Look here. you
 cant keep me like this. you knowl
 I'm not a detective, and don't even
 know what the devil you are making
 all this fuss about"
 At this all the other men shouted
 with laughter Rowe leaned over the
 table, an evil leer on his cunning face. No detective! ha! hal" said he.
 "You don't really expect us to swallow that. do you? Why, next thing you'll be telling us that you didn't know 1t
 was contraband to take arms out of
 the country, eh?"
 Hill sat back, shocked into momen- tary silence.
 "I did not know it," he said simply.
 The quiet that followed these fve clear-cut words was charged with cleo tricity. Then, Rowe, his face very white, his eyes fixed upon Hill, rose to
 his feet
 By God! I believe you are speaking , the truth!" he said at length. That's one joke on you. Ricardo , ' said the little Spanish officer with .
 short mirthless laugh. "Well, he knows 1t now, if he didn't , before!" put in one of the longshOre- , men.
 i, Hill said nothing at all, but sat star. ing at the group in wonderment. What
 on earth did 1t all meanf , That's true. You needn't inform me of It," said Rowe bitterly, land de , tective or not, he'll inform now if VI
 let him go. But he's 8 service man. all , right" he added, his confidence iu himself returning. Wasn't he up at
 Mikey's? Hell, something must be | done with him; and something will be
 done. never fearl I will get the senol [ chief. and he shall help us decide the matter"
 s The little officer nodded, and Rowe 3 slipping out of the cabin, closed the . door behind him. In silence they wait - ed, while a thousand conjecturea 3 whirled through Hills brain. What l. had he stumbled upon? l In a moment more, footsteps were heard outside in the passage. The dooI l handle grated, and Hill. bracing him v self for whatever was to come, swung a about and found himself face to face
 with Iris father, Hon. Reginald Van a derpool-millionaire asphalt king. ITO BE CONTINUED1