The Spectator., 1915-01-01

cious Madonna, were you locked up?" inquired Pedro. T cannot understand it."
 There is some mysterious illegal business afoot among that crowd" said Hill thoughtfully. "They have got that boat chock full of ammunition and arms, and all under cover of being pianos, and such stuff. It's against the law, you know. They sail the day aft CT tomorrow, at dawn, and as had &C., cidentally stumbled upon their tricks, they decided to keep me safe until they got away. I've no doubt they would have let me go after that, with out any fuss, but it was beastly un- pleasant being locked up that way"
 You must give the information to the authorities" said Pedro.
 Sam seemed to be in some doubt about this, but at last he decided that an explanation was due to these good friends who had risked so much for him.
 You see," he began, there is some body-that is to say, somebody's near relation-mixed up in this, and I- well, damn 1t all! l cant very well give him away!"
 Instantly thousand conjectures sprang to Pedro's mind
 'Is it-is it Iris father?" he said hesitatingly.
 Hill stared at him in amazement, a doughnut arrested halfway to his mouth
 Great Scott! How did you know?" he exclaimed
 "Because-well. I'll tell you later. But the reason Is that which made me come and look for you," he answered. You'll excuse us," he added to Love joy, but it's private affair, about a lady"
 T will indeed" responded the fat man, "ah! ladies, ladies!"
 We must talk this over at once!" exclaimed Hill, glancing at the clock, which showed that the hour was al most 1 a. m. Come, let us go!"
 The three arose, and with many ex- pressions of gratitude to their host, took their departure, and were soon settled upon the dingy benches of the north h-bound ferry. They were almost the only passengers on board, and lulled by the warmth of the cabin, Beau-Jean fell asleep, using MT. Jones for pillow, and the bear, also glad of the rest, followed suit. Here, then, was an excellent opportunity for talk, and the other two immediately proceeded to take advantage of 1t.
 Pedro spoke first, and related the story of his acquaintance with Iris and her request for his help in the matter of her fathers secret trouble. From this narrative he omitted nothing ex- cept her infatuation for himself, and at the end came to the little paper on which she had written her promise At this point Pedro began to mix fic- tion and fact
 'l could not undertake to help her." he said, because 1 soon discovered that some one dear to me would be in- volved, and would in turn involve me; but, more of that later. l then sug gested that you be called upon, but she was unwilling-you have had little quarrel eh?"
 The speaker watched Hills eager face closely, to note the effect of this remark. The result was confirmatory to his own deductions.
 Yes" said the elder man, it was a silly quarrel about nothing"
 "Aha!" said Pedro. "so I felt sure But she-ah! she thought you would not come to her aid. I knew different ly, and so told her. Then she wrote this little paper Che spread it out upon his knee) and I set out to find you and give it to you"
 Hill took the fluttering bit of white and read, with glad incredulous eyes: I hereby promise to marry you on the day you can tell me my father is not be- ing subjected to danger, or has been rescued from that. if any. which now inn perils him. And I furthermore agree to overcome any debatable objections you may have to the marriage.
 IRIS VANDERPOOL.
 For mel" said Hill tensely. She sent it to mel"
 There was an instant's pause, and then Pedro lied manfully.
 "Yes!" said he.
 Hill let out such a whoop at this that Beau-Jean and Mir Jones woke up long enough to shift their positions.
 Tell her that l shall claim the re- ward within the week." Hill ex- claimed exultingly; "so she had better prepare to pay upl When will you see herr"
 Tomorrow night there will be a masquerade at the Milligans," replied Pedro. "She is to be there"
 Then tell her" Hill began.
 But Pedro stopped him, for every moment was bringing them nearer to the city, and he had not yet finished.
 ''I will," said he. But listen now to my own part of the story. You peo- pie know nothing about me. Well, I am-but no, l shall not say that until