Evening star., 1918-10-06
CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER XII.
Pamela's first shock of surprise did
not readily pass. In the first place.
John Lutchester's appearance in
America at all was entirely unexpect-
ed. In the second, by what possible
means could he have arrived at this
precise and psychological moment?
"You! she exclaimed. little help
lessly. Mr. Lutchester!"
He smiled as he shook hands. Nj
kasti had slipped noiselessly from the
room. Pamela made no effort 70 de.
tain him. She had a curious feeling
that the things which had pas5ai be-
tween them concerned their two selves
only. SO had no desire Whatever to
hand him over to retributive. justice.
"You are surprised" he Observed.
$50 far as my presence here Is con-
cerned, l knew quite well that L was
coming some time ago. but it was
one of those matters, you understand,
Miss Van Teyl, that one is scarcely
at liberty to talk about. l am mere
in connection with my work
"Your work." she repeated weakly.
II thought that you wera IN tho min
istry of munitions"
"Precisely." he admitted. II have
travelling inspectorship'+ +n,s YOU M; see
just as well, If you will forgive my
mentioning it, Miss Van Teyl' that
these things are not spoken or to any
one. My business over here Is sup
posed to be secret. I am going round
some Of the factories from which we
are drawing supplies"
She drew a long breath and began
to feel little more like herself.
"Well, after this" she declared, Il
shall be surprised at nothing. have
had one shock already this evening
and you are the second"
1.-The first, l trust, was not disagree
able?"
She shrugged her shoulders.
"Without flattering YOU" she an
swered, II think I could say that !
prefer the second.
II had an idea," Lutchester remark
ed diffdently, that my arrival SEEM
ed either opportune or inopportune-l
could not quite tell which. Were you
in any. way troubled or embarrassed
by the presence of the little Japanese
gentleman?"
"of course 3' n, not" =, 81, she replied. why
How absurd Of mc!" Lutchester
murmured. "By the bye. If Jimmy Is
your brother-Mr. Van Teyle-1 have
a letter to him from pal In town
Dicky Green. 1t was to present 1t
that I found my way up here TINS
me in the way of Il little golf during
my spare time over here
He produced: the note and laid IT
upon the table Pamela glanced at it
and then at Lutchcster. He was care
fully dressed in dinner clothes, black
tie and white waistcoat. He was. as
usual. perfectly groomed and I'M,
maculate. He had what she could
only describe to herself as an every
day air about him. He seemed entire
ly free from any mental pressure or
the wear and tear Of great events.
"Golf?" she repeated wonderingly.
"You expect to have little spare
time, them?
.Well,,I hope so," Lutchester re-
piled. zone must have exercise. BY
the bye" he went on. "is your brothef
in, do you happen to know? Perhaps
If would be more convenient If I came
round in the morning? I am staying
in the hotel"
"Oh, for goodness sake, don't go
away" she begged. Jimmy will be
here presently, for certain. To tell
YOU the truth, we have been rather
playing hide-and-seek this evening,
but it hasn't been altogether his fault.
Please sit down over there-you Will
find cigarettes on the sideboard--and
talk to me-"
"Delighted." .he agreed, taking the
chair opposite to her. II suppose you
want to know what became of poor
Graham?"
A sudden bewilderment appeared in
her face. She leaned toward him. Her
forehead was knitted, her eyes puz-
zled, There was new problem to be
solved.
= "Why, Mr.. I.utchester." she demand
ed, "how on earth did you get here?'
ACROSS the Atlantic" he replied
amiably. "Bit too far, the other way
round"
yes, but what on?" she persisted. II
went straight on to the Lapland after
we parted last week. and only arrived
here an hour or SO ago. There was
mo other passenger steamer sailing
for three days"
II was stowaway." he told her
nfidentially--''helped to shovel coa's
all the way over.
Don't talk nonsense" she protest.
ed a little sharply. II dislike mys-
teries. Look at you! A stowaway. in
deed! Tell me the truth at once"
He leaned forward in his chair to-
ward her. An ingenious smile part
ed his lips. He had the air of school
boy repeating mischievous secret.
'The fact is. Miss Van Teyl.' he
confided. II don't want 1t talked
about; you know but had joy ride
over"
"a what?"
"a JOY ride" he repeated. "a cousin
of mine is in command of destroyer
and she was under orders to sail for
New York. He hadn't the slightest
right. really, to bring passenger. as
she was coming over on a spccM
mission, but had word about the trip