Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-11-29

Uho putting dllu SLI dlIIlu&
, and painting, the ship swung in
toward her dock, and soon she
a near enough for those on
!. BOARD to see the faces of the wait
ing crowd, and there we're cries Of
greeting and wavings of handker-
chiefs, and the shedding of happy
tears-for it is good to get home!
And at last the great hawsers were
flung out and made fast, and the
voyage was ended.
AT this moment, as at all others,
the first cabin passengers had the
precedence, and filed slowly down
one gangplank, their landing tick
cts In their hands, while at another
the stewards proceeded to yank
OFT the hand baggage. Dan, lean
ing over the rail, watched the long
line OF passengers surging slowly
forward, and finally he saw
hasla and her father. He would
see them on the pier, of course, for
1t would take them some time to
get their baggage through, and he
could explain to Kasia about the
other engagement. He followed
them with his eyes - and then,
with a gasp of astonishment, he
perceived just behind them, also
moving slowly down the gang
plank, the prince and the man who
had called himself Admiral Pach-
mann.
But those men could have moth
ing to do with Kasia! 1t was lust
an accident that they happened 10
be behind her. And then he
grasped the rail and strained for
ward, scarcely able to believe his
eyes. For Pachmann had spoken
to Yard, who nodded and walked
hurnedly on with him, while
hasla, with a hooking smile,
tucked her hand within the
princes arm and fell into step be-
side him. Along the pier they has
tened to the entralse gates, passed
through, and were lost in the
crowd outside.
Dan stood staring after them for
yet a moment; then, with the care
full step Of a man who knows him
self to be intoxicated, he climbed
painfully to the boat deck,
dropped upon a bench there, and
took his head in his hands.
There, half an hour later, a stew
ard found him.
BEG pardon, sir" he said,
Are you ill?"
Dan looked up dazedly.
NO" he said. "Why?"
1.-The passengers are all off, sir.
Ii you have any luggage, you'd
better be having it examined. sir"
"Thank you," said Dan, and
got to his feet, descended to the
lower deck, surrendered his land
ing ticket, and went unsteadily
down the gangplank.
The pier was Uttered with bag
gage and crowded with distracted
men and women watching the in
spectors diving remorselessly
among their tenderest possessions.
Each was absorbed in his w af-
fairs, and none of them noticed
Dams slow progress toward the
little office of the chief inspector.
After a short wait, an Inspector
was told off to look throug Oh his
baggage, and, with Dams declara-
ton in his hand, led the way to the
letter "W," where his two suit
cases were soon found. Dan un.
locked them, and stood aside while
the Inspector knelt and examined
their contents. He was through in
10 minutes.
Nothing here" he said, and
rose. Then his eyes ran Dan UP
and down. II see you have a small
parcel in your coat pocket. May I
see it,"
Without a word, Dan handed
him the parcel. The inspector
turned it over and examined the
seals.
What's in it," he asked.
"A little electrical DEVICE" Dan
answered.
We'll, I'll have to open tit
might be diamonds, for all I
know"
60 ahead" said Dan, and the
inspector broke the seals, un-
wrapped the paper, and disclosed
a small pasteboard box. He lifted
the lid, glanced inside, and then
looked at Dan.
What is this? A joke9" he
demanded.
Il don't understand Dan
stammered.
You said it was an electrical
device"
That s what i. is"
NEitbor ,,o,, w. >,