Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1916-10-17

problem"
Right you are!" said he instantly.
II must be getting dotty In my old ago.
Lou"
CHAPTER VIII.
On Board the Jupiter.
A GRAY day at sea. The decks
n of the Jupiter were wet with
~ the almost invisible drizzle that
filed the air, yet they were
swarming with the busy pedestrians
who never lose an opportunity to let
every one know that they are on
board New York was tweuty-four
hours astern, and the brief Sunday
service had come to a peaceful end
Three tall interesting looking men
stood leaning against the starboard
rail Of the promenade deck. unmindful
Of the mist, watching the scurrying
throng of exercise flends. Two were
young, the third was old, and Of the
three there was one who merited the
second glance that invariably was be-
slowed upon him by the circltng pass
ersby.
He stood between the gaunt soldier
ly old man with the fierce mustacha
and the trim, a'!itLry young man with
one that was close cropped and smart
Each wore a blue serge suit and az
fected short visored cap Of the sane
material, and each lazily pulled at
very commonplace briar pipe.
The customary he gossip and peren-
nial snooper who Is always making the
voyage no matter what ship one takes
or the direction one goes, nosed out
the purser and discovered that the
young man was R. Schmidt Of Vienna.
He was busy thereafter mixing with
the throng, volunteering information
that had not been solicited. but which
appeared to be welcome. Especially
were the young women on board
grateful to the he gossip when he 60
costed them as q perfect stranger 70
tell them the name Of another and
even more perfect stranger.
" am sorry we lost those rooms On
the Salammbo," said the younger Of
his two companions. II had them
positively engaged, money paid down"
Some one else came along with
more money. Dank." observed r
Schmidt. I'VE ought to be thankful
that we received anything at ali. Has
It occurred to you that this boat Isn't
crowded?"
mot more than half ful1." said tho
older man. "All Of the others appear
ed to be packed from hold to funnel
This must be an unpopular boat"
II don't know where we'd be, how
ever. II Mr.. Blithers hadn't thought Of
the Jupiter almost at the last minute
said R. Schmidt.
mine day boat, though" growied tho
old man.
II don't mind that In the least She's
steady old tub. and that's Some
thing"
Hobbs tells me that It Is most e1.
traordinary to find the eastbo1nd
steamers crowded at this season Of
the year." said Dank. HE can't under
stand It at all. The crowds go over In
June and July, and by this time they
should be starting for home. thought
we'd have no difficulty In getting on
any one Of the big boats, but, by jove.
everywhere I went they said they
were full up"
1T was uncommonly decent Of Blith-
ers not coming down to see Us on."
said the elderly man. who was down
on the passenger list as Totten. Z
was apprehensive, pom my soul. BE
stuck like leech up to the last MIN
ute."
R Schmidt was rejecting. 1T struck
me as queer that he had not heard OF
the transfer Of our securities in Lon
DON"
'T cannot understand Bernstein &
Sons selling out at time when the
price Of our bonds Is considerably be-
low their actual value" said Totten,
frowning. "A million pounds sterling
is what their holdings really repre-
sented. according to the dispatches
they must have sold at loss Of nearly
e60.000.
I'VE should have Msrconigram to
night or tomorrow In regard to the bid
made IN Paris for the bonds held BY
the French syndicate" said Dank. pull
ing at his short mustache. "Mr. Blith-
ers is investigating"
There is something sinister In all
this" said R. Schmidt. Who is boy.
Ing up all Of the outstanding bonds,
and what is behind the movement
London has sold all that were held
there, and Paris Is approached on the
same day. II Paris and Berlin should
sell. nearly 24.00o.00o In Graustark
bonds will be in the hands Of people
whose identity and motives appear to
be shrouded In the deepest mystery"
"And e4.oo0.000 represents the en-
tire amount Of our bonds held By out
side parties" said Totten, with q sig.
niflcant shake Of his grizzled head.
~The remainder are In the possession
Of our own institutions and the people
themselves. We should hear from
Ddelweiss, too, In response to my o.
blegam. Perhaps Romano may be
able to throw Light ON the situation. I
eonfess that I am troubled"
A steward was politely aeoostins ~
trio.
Il beg pardon, u this NJ. Tuttsar
Yea
Message fnF yuu. sr. st ~
purser'A"
Bring It to my stateroom, Totem"
said B. Schmidt briefly, and The Old
man hurried away On the heeis of ~
messenger.
The two young man ssunteesd care.
CONTINUED on pageA)