The Irish standard., 1915-10-16

confounded. bottle Of that Barbera.
We should have drunk two last night"
But had to get rid of mine."
smiled Poe. There's no fun in being
delayed by having to pay duty on q
little bottle Of wine."
by George. you're right. They'd
be sure to stick me for it, and It
would take an hour to 60 through all
the red tape. Let's finish that bottle
now. What do you say?" asked Bowen
evenly.
why not? There's the old Statue
Of Liberty looming up, let's drink
to her,. offered Christopher Poe
propmtly.
Belasco Bowen whisked through tho
saloon and down to his berth. return.
ing instantly with the bottle and
corkscrew.
Steward" he called to q passing
greyhound. get me q couple OF
glasses, will your
The boat was already slowing up
for Quarantine, and those Of the pas
sengers who had finished their pack
ing we're crowding to the portrait to
aboard by the narrow rope-ladder.
Let's get over on the other side.
out of this crush," suggested Bowen.
They sauntered to the deserted side Of
the ship, where the great Statue Of
Liberty stood in full view.
| Ro1ocon Douov, oo1oH ~ oovoeo
water. pointing out several small sail
tns-craft dotting the waves and bob
bing about like corks.
Isn't it beautiful" he cried.
"Yes, but that life looks more ro-
mantle than it is. See those two fel-
lows down there. alone in the big dory,
handling those heavy oars; do you
think they enjoy the jolly fishermen's
life you read about?" queried Poe.
The boat in question was headed out
to sea, and the two fishermen jerked
frantically at their oars to avoid pos
sible collision with the great vessel.
Before Belasco Bowen could reply,
the servile steward stepped up with
the glasses.
Bowen ripped of the tin.foil cap on
his bottle, slowly twisted the screw
into the cork, pulled it out with an
accustomed jerk and filled brimming
glasses for Poe and himself. He
placed the half-empty bottle in the
scuppers where it would not tip over.
and idly removed the cork from the
screw as he smiled at Poe and pro.
posed:
We'll drink to the dangers Of the
sea and the pleasure of safe home.
coming"
He slipped the corkscrew into his
pocket. absently tossed the cork over
the rail, and raised his glass to touch
the rim Of Poe's.
They drank, and Bowen refllled the
glasses.
And here's to the Goddess of Liber
ty." cried Poe. turning toward the
gold glittering statue dimly outlined
In the harbor. May every man who
deserves liberty have it,
That's funny toast" said Bowen
awkwardly, glancing in slight confu
sion down into the water, where the
two fishermen were drifting astern.
Il wonder how that figure of Lib
erty strikes petty little smugglel
his country" unused Poe, starin,
ahead into the dim harbor
Bowen glanced at him nervously
whats come over you!" he aske,
haltingly.
why, nothing" replied the New
York banker, turning to gaze ingenu
ously into the shifting eyes of his com
panion. Il was just wondering how
you felt smuggling that Duchess Die
mond."
How l feel!" Bowen's eyebrow
drew down narrowly. His face sud
denly cleared, he glanced nervousl!
Into the water, and then laughed full
In Poe's face.
And I've been wondering all alonl
how it would feel to be an amateu
detective who thinks he's worked VI
4 case and wins a fellows Friendship
Just to betray him at the finish. Hi
upper lip curled contemptuously; h,
glanced nervously back into the water
"Oh, l knew you recognized me,
said Poe. Some of my baggage II
marked with c. p, and / knew tina
wouldn't escape your sharp eyes
You've called me Hardy with rathe
elaborate exactness. thinking you ha,
. joke on rae. didn't miss it. nor die
I miss noticing your eagerness to hav'
the Van Wendts join that wild party
saw you we're quick-handed, toe
when you spilled the sparks over Mis-
Van Wendt, and nipped OF the plat
mum wire with your little nail-clippera
on which found the nick made ii
cutting the chain. The hand Is quick
er than the eye, but not quicker thar
the Imagination
what the devil do you mean?" criel
Bowen, putting down his glass, an,
turning with his back to the rail. ID
you accuse me Of stealing the Duchess
Diamond?"
"Yes, and with attempting to SNUG
gle it into New York"
Where have got 1t conceale,
, them" cried Bowen, his hand sneak
, ing toward his hip-pocket.
l "Oh, don't trouble to find that littl,
8 pearl-handled gun. I've seen it bulg
/ Ing out beneath your coat before. Lool
: over there. Do you see that officer ii
! white and those three in blue?" Pot
pointed to crowd of customs officer,
? who had Just climbed up to the ship'l