Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-01-06
HH00 Nth the treaty ratified. II
% NAV tn. de deal i. goes goes ;. through
W " Sonefhiug about the re-

not the aort Of remark to be expected
from woman. at least not in such a
place.
Craig had been working pretty hard
and began to show the strain. We had
taken an evening off. and now had
dropped in after the theater at the Bur-
ridge. one of the most frequented mid
night resorts on Broadway.
At the table next to us-and the tables
at the Burridge were so close that one
almost rubbed elbows with those at the
next-sat a party of four. two ladies in
evening gowns and two men in immac"-
late black and white.
IT hope you are right, Leontine,' re-
turned one of the men, with an English
accent 1.-THE natural Place for the
islands is under the American flag, any
way"
Yes" put in the other; "the people
have voted for it before. They want it.
and Danish governments were negotiate
ing about the transfer of the Danish
West Indies. and quite evidently they
were discussing the islands. The last
woman with him, evidently his wife, was
not 1t was a curious group, worth more
than a passing glance. For a moment
Craig watched them closely.
That woman in blue, he whispered
els typical promoter"
There were plenty of other types in
the brilliantly lighted dining room. and
we did not dwell long on the study OF
our neighbors. few moments later
Kennedy left me and was visiting an
other table. 1t was a habit of his, Tor
he had hundreds of friends and acquaint-
ances, and the Burridge was the place
TO which every one came.
This time ] saw that he had stopped
before some one whom 1 recognized. 1t
was Capt. Mariowe of the American
shipping trust, to whom Kennedy mao
been Of great assistance at the time or
the launching OF his great ship, the
Usona, and he was accompanied by a
man whose face was unfamiliar to me.
AS I recognized who it was to whom
Kennedy was speaking, 1 also rose and
made my way over to the table. AS ap-
preached. the captain turned from Ken
nedy and greeted me cordially.
Mr.. Whitson." he introduced the man
with him. MIR. Whtson is sailing to-
morrow for ST. Thomas on the Arroyo
We're preparing to extend our steamship
lines to the islands as soon as the
fornalities of the purchase are COM
pleted."
Marlowe turned again to Kennedy and
went on with the remark he had evidently
been making.
'-Of course" I heard him say, you
knOW we nave Mexico pTdCtlCdHy DtOCh-
AIDED as far as arms and ammunition go
Yet, Kennedy. through a secret channel
I know that thousands of stands of arms
and millions of rounds of ammunition are
filtering in there. It's shameful ! can't
imagine anything more traitorous. Who
ever is at the bottom OF it ought to swing
II isn't over the border that they are
going. We know that The troops are
there. How is 1t, them
!. A few moments later We shook hands
and returned to our own table. We paid
our check and were about to leave
Hello." greeted a familiar voice beside
us- I've been looking all over town for
you. They told me you had gone to the
fheater and thought 1 might possibly
IND you here"
We turned. 1t was our old friend Burke
OF tie secret service, accompanied by a
stranger.
I'D like you to meet Mr. Sydney; the
new special consular agent whom the
West Indies to investigate and report
on trade condition. He introduced
We're on for ST. Thomas on the Ar
royo. which sails tomorrow noon"
= Great Scott" calculated Kennedy. 'Is
everybody dafYy over those little islands,
What takes you down there, Burke?''
Burke looked about hastily. then drew us
aside into recess in the lobby.
don't suppose you know" he ex-
planned, lowering his voice, but since
these negotiations began the consular
service has been keenly interested in the,
possibilities on the islands. The govern
ment sent one special agent there, named
Dwight Well. he died a few days ago
II was very suspicious. so much 30 that
the authorities in the islands investigated
Yet the doctors have found no evidence
OF anything wrong, no poison. Still, it is
very mysterious, and. you know" he
limited. "there are those who don't want
uS down there"
The secret service man paused as
though he had put the case as briefly and
as he NnyIrd fHar
Tive been assigned to accompany the
new consul down there and Investigate
I've no particular orders and the chief
VII honor any reasonable expense ac-
count-but- He hesitated and STOP
ped. looking keenly at Kennedy's face I
saw what he was driving at
Well-to come to the point-wl1at I
wanted to see you about. Kennedy. is
me. think" he added. persuasively, cit
would be quite worth your while. Be-
etdes. You look tired. You're working
too hard The change win do you good
Toun be working. all right"
Z Kennedy smiled as he read the others
enthusiasm. IT'D like to think the pro-
posal over" he conceded. much to my
ing
''Mind." wheedled Burke. "I won't take
no for an answer. We need YOU
I went to bed. tired. but through the
Iiisfil L knew SFdiS was engaged on some
work about which he seemed to be
somewhat secretive. When I saw him
again in the laboratory. in the morning.
he had before him IA large packing case
Of stout wood. bound with steel bands
Whats that?" ] asked. n,ystified. He
opened the lid. sort of door, on which
was strong lock. and looked inside.
''My travelling laboratory" he remarked
with pride.
Then you are going with Burke to ST.
Thomas" I queried
Kennedy nodded I've been thinking
of what would do II an important case
ever called me away. Burke's proposal
hurried me, that's all. And you are GO
ing. also" he added You have until
noon TO break the news to the Star
Thus IL came about that Craig and I
found ourselves in the forenoon in taxi
cab, on the front Of which was loaded
the precious boy, as well as our other
hastily packed luggage, and We were on
our way to Brooklyn. 10 the dock from
which the Arroyo sailed
Already the clearance papers had been
obtained, and there was the usual last
moment confusion among the passengers
rs the hour for sailing approached. 1t
seemed as II we had scarcely boarded the
ship when Kennedy was as gay as a
schoolboy on an unexpected holiday.
realized at once what was the cause The
change Of scene. the mere fact of cutting
loose. were having their effect
AS we steamed slowly down the bay
pan nay eye over the other passengers
1t the rail. straining their eyes to
HAtch the last glimpse OF the towers of
New York. There were Burke and Sgd
AaN ft.N H..