Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-30


was needed to see that it was she, for,
far more than her father, she was wor-
rIed.
You must catch him." she appealed.
Fathers life is IN danger. Oh, you
simply must.
knew Capt. Marlowe to be proven
bal fre-eater. out in this case at least
he was no alarmist. For on the table,
as he spoke. he laad a real bullet.
Marjorie Marlowe shuddered at the
mere sight Of ii and glanced apprehen-
sively at him. as If to reassure herself
She was a tall, slender girl. scarceiy
out of her teens. whose face was one OF
those quite as striking for its character
rs it's beauty. The death OF her mother
a few years before had placed on her
much of the responsibility OF the cap
tain.s household, and with 1t q charm
added to youth.
More under the spell OF her plea than
even Marlowe's vigorous urging. Ken
needy without a word picked UP the
bullet and examined it. 1t was one OF
the modern splitter type. quite short.
conical in shape, tapering gradually,
with the center of gravity back near
the base.
II suppose you know went on the
captain. eagerly. that our company is
getting ready tomorrow to launch the
Usona. the largest liner that has ever
been built on this side of the water.
The name is made up of the initials of
the United States of North America.
Just now" he added, enthusiastica1-
w. is what ! call the golden opportu-
nifty for American shipping. While
England and Germany are crippled, it's
our chance to put the American nag on
the seas as it was in the old days. and
we're going to do it. Why. the ship
wards of my company are worked be-
yond their capacity now"
But. father, interrupted the daugh-
ter. tell them about the bullet
The captain smiled indulgently. as
though he would say that he was
tough old bird to wing. It was only
mask to hide the fighting spirit.
We've had nothing but trouble ever
since we laid the keel of that ship" he
continued. pugnaciously. STRIKES. a
fire in the yard. delays-about every
thing that could happen. Lately we've
noticed a motor boat hanging about the
river front of the yards So I've had
boat of my own patrolling the river.
] don't know who owns the strange
boat or who runs it. My men tell me
they think they've seen a woman in it
sometimes, though. I've been trying
to figure ii out Why should 1t be
hanging about? 1t can't be spying;
there isn't any. secrecy about the
Usora. Why is il? It's a mystery
And the shot, prompted Kennedy,
tapping the bullet.
"oh. yes: let me tell you. Last night
Marjorie and l arrived from Bar Has
Dor on my yacht. for the launching.
It's anchored OF the yards now. Well.
early this morning. while it was still
gray and misty. 1 was up. I'll confess
I'm worried over tomorrow. ! hadn't
been able to forget that motor boat. I
was out on the deck. peering into the
mist, when I'm sure I saw her. I was
just giving q signal to the boat we
have patroiling when a shot whistled
y lat hfpr I'D t.
the woodwork Of the main saloon. back
OF me. dug 1t out Of the wood with
my knife. As you see got 1t almost
unfiattened. That's all I have got.
clean. Marjorie was 80 alarmed" he
confessed. that nothing would satisfy
her but that should come ashore and
stay here at the Belieclaire, where we
always put when when we are IN town"
The telephone rang and Marjorie an
swered it, Il hope you'll pardon me-"
she excused. hanging up the receiver
aney want me very much downstairs"
You see. explained the captain as
she left us, I've invited quite large
party to attend the launching, for one
reason or another. Marjorie must play
hostess. They're mostly here at the
MOTEL s.,, Perhaps you saw some Of them
Craig wss still scanning the bullet.
Tt looks almost az II some one had
dum-dummed It," he remarked finally
those grooves"
Both the captain ana looked It
had hard Jacket of cupYo-nickel. like
the army bullet, covering a core of
softer metal. Some one had notched or
knife. though not completely through
II. Had II been done for the purpose Of
fnhictinE more frightful wound il it
struck the captain?
'There've been other shots. too" con-
~
men was wounded the night before 1t
didn't look like a serious wound in the
leg. Yet the poor fellow seems to be
in . bad way. they tell me. The wound
painful It won't heal. and he seems
to be weak and feverfsh why, nm
afraid the man will die"
ia like to see that case" remarked
Very well. ri have you driven to
the hospital whore we've taken him
''rd like to see the yards. too; and the
rsona." he added.
AN right. After you 20 to the hos
pital. III meet you at the yards at H."
We followed Marlowe into the ele-
rator and rode down. In the large par
Tor We saw that Marjorie had Joined
group Of guests. and the captain
turned aside TO introduce US
Among them ! noticed a striking
looking woman. somewhat older than
Marjorie. She turned a. we approac CHI
cd and greeted the captain cordially
Tim 80 glad there was nothing seri-
Gus this morning" she remarked, ex-
tending her hand to him.
"oh. nothing at all. nothing at ALL"
ne returned. holding the hand.
thought. just bit longer than WAS
necsssary. Then he turned to us.
Miss Alma Hillman. let me present
Prof Kennedy and Mr.. Jameson"
Talking with her had been a young
man. slender. good looking. with al
most military bearing.
Marjorie, seeing that her father was
1eglecting his duties.
watched the young people closely.
II Capt. Marlowe was interested in
Alma. II was more than evident that
FttzhuEh was absolutely captivated by
Marjorie. and ! fancied that Marjorie
was not avsrse to him. for he had
personality and a mannez5whieh were
gayiy on to the launching and the gath
erinE party Of notables who were ex-
pected that night and the next day,
noticed that q dark-eyed. dark haired
oire-compiexioned young man ap-
preached and Joined US.
DIR. Gayira-" said Marlowe. turning
to US his tone indicating that he was
well acquainted about the hotel He
Is our house physician"
Just then a young lady Ali in white
passed. Plainly she did not belong to
the group. though she was much in
tsrested in 1t. As his eye royed over
the parlor Gavira caught her eye and
bowed. She returned 1t. but her look
DID not finger. For a moment she
glanced sharply at Fitzhugh. still talk
ing to Marjorie. then at Marlowe and
Alma Hillman. She was q very pretty
girl. with eyes that II was impossible