The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-11-27
The ''Zepp's'' Passenger
AN ExCIl ING AND ROMANTIC NEW SPY SERIAL
Sir Henry Expresses Doubt That
Lessingham Will Return From
London, as He Promised

The fishermen can talk Of, moth
ing else" Nora put IN exEltedly.
Mummy, It was simply splendid.
Helen and I had gone up with two
OF the rescued men, but got back
just in time to see them fasten the
rope round his waist and watch
him plunge in"
How Is he this mornfngf'
Helen asked.
Gone" PhilIppa replied
They all looked at her In surprise.
-Gone?- Sir Henry repeated.
What. back to the hotel. do you
meanT"
Ills bed has not been slept In
Philippe told them. sTHe must
have slipped away early this morn
ing. gone to Hilrs Garage, hired Q
car, and motored to Norwich. From
there he went on to London. He
has sent word that he viii be back
in q few days"
81 hope to God he wou'tf" Sir
Henry muttered- Philippe swung
round upon him.
What do you mean By THAR
she demanded. Don't you want to
thank him for saving your lifeP
MY dear. / certainly do" Sir
Henry eplied, but just now-weiI,
am a little taken aback- Gone TO
London, eh2 Tore away without
warning in the middle OF the night
TO. Londoni And coming back. too
that's the strange part OF it!'
One would think, from Sir
Henry's expression. that he was
finding food for much satisfaction
in his recital Of Lessingham's sud-
den disappearance.
"He is a wonderful fellow, this
Lessingham," he added thought
fully. He must haVe-yes, by God.
he must have In that storm.
toor'
"If you could speak eoherentiy.
Henry" Philippe observed. Il
should like to say that I am ex-
ceedingly anxious to know why Mr..
Lesslngham has deserted US SO
precipitatsly."
Sir Henry would have taken his
wife arm, but she avoided him.
He shrugged his shoulders and
plodded up the steep path by her
side.
'SThe whole question of Leasing
h9rD % rather, a problem" he said
"Of course. you and Helen have
seen very much more OF him than
I have Isn't II true that people
have begun to make curious re-
marks about him?"
HOW did you know that, HenrSss
Philippa demanded?"
well. one hears things" ne Il.
piled. Il should gather, from what
l heard. that his position here had
become a little precarious. Hence
his sudden disappearance" 81
But he Is coming back again.,
Philippe reminded her husband.
"Perhaps!'
Philippe -signined her desire that
her husband should remain little
with her. They walked side by side
up the gravel path Pilippa kept
her hands clasped behind her.
ITO leave the subject OF Mr.. Les
singham for a time" she began, Il
feel very reluctant to ask for ex-
plantations OF anything you do, but
i must confess to a certain curiosity
as to why / should ind you lunch
ing at the Carlton with two every
beautiful ladies, a few days ago,
when you left here with Jimmy
Dumble to hsh for whiting, and
also why you return here on a
trawler which belongs to another
part OF the coastr'
Sir Henry made a Erirnaee
II was beginning to wonder
whether curiosity was dead" he
observed good humoredly. "If you
wouldn't mind giving me another
well, to be On the safe sido let as
say eight days. think I shall be
able to ofssr you an explanation
which you Will consider satisfac-
tory"
Thank yor," PhiIippa reJofned,
with cold surprise; Il see TO reason
why you should not answer such
simple questions at once"
Sir Henry sighed deprecatinSiy,
and made another vain Sttemps to
take his wife's arm
"Philippa, be a little brick" he
begged at know I seem to have
been playing the part of q fool lust
lately, but there has been a sort Of
reason for It"
what reason could there posi-
bly, be-" she demanded, which you
could not confide IN me?"
He was silent for a moment
When he spoke again there was Q
new earnestness in his tone.
"Philippa," he said, 81 have been
working for some time at a little
scheme which isn't ripe to talk
about yet, not even to you, but
which may lead to something which
/ hope will alter your opinion You
couldn't see your way clear to trust
me a little longer. could you:' he
begged, with rather plRintive
CLEAN in his blue eyes. at would
make it so much easier for ne to
say no more but just have you sit
tight"
Il wonder" sho answered Colby,
'if you reealizo how much have
suffered, sitting tight. as you call
1t, and waiting for you to. do some
thiug"'
my fishing excursions" he went
on desperately, have not been al
together q matter OF sport"
Il know that quito WELL" she re-
piled. "You have been making that
chart you promised your miserable
fishermen. None OF those things in
terest me, Henry. fear-I an
OF your dOings interest me. Least
of ALL" she went on, her voice quiV-
ering with passion, do I appreciate
in the least these mysterious ap-
peals for my patience. 1 have some
common sense. Henry"
You're = suspicious little beast"
he told her.
"Suspicious." she scoffed. what
a word to use from a man who goes
off fishing for whiting, and is
at the Carlton. some days
afterward, with two ladies oA ex-
attractions!"
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