The Washington times., 1918-12-01
ar vessels. What thsnf"

war vessels. What then?"
Hanged II know"
1T would be necessary for ne 70 hide
my identity, perhaps"
Go as far as you like. It's nothing to
me. I'm taking no sides IN this quarrel"
"Achi Then Think perhaps It might
be managed. I WIN see" he finished.
thoughtfully.
They had reached the city and presently
Alan Jessup drew up at the door Of Graf
Won HengePs hotel.
But the arrangements which the Ger.
man officer had thought might be made
seemed to take a great deal Of time. The
Ambassador had consented, but Il was nee
essary to get the necessary approval from .
Berlin. The days grew into weeks, the
weeks into month. and still Jessup
waited, because Won Hengel from Wash
ington wrote him again and again that
the matter would soon be arranged. So
Jessup, all his own arrangements having
long since been completed, went up to the
Tuxedo place and waited there He was
not man to repudiate a promise or vio-
late his own hospitality to a guest. He
did not return to Piping Rock Constance
Masterson, he had heard, had sailed three
weeks ago for England
At last, word came from Captain Hoag-
land that his guest had come aboard the
Turkana In river boat late at night and
Jessup made his way to New York upon
The following day, finding the yacht OF
Forty-fifth street, and Captain Won Hengel
below in the stateroom which had been
assigned to him. But there was another
delay OF week more, which Won Hengel
eagerly requested in order that some pa
pers might be sent hin. He also re-
quested that for reasons of his own he
might be permitted to remain aboard the
Turkana until the messenger arrived. So
Jessup, with an appearance Of good nature,
assented. : 1t was, therefore, not until a
week later that the Turkana moved from
the upper reaches Of the river and steamed
majestically down the harbor. The re-
quirements Of clearance and inspection
we're speedily complied with for Graf Won
'Hengel possessed a Swedish passport
which bore his photograph and a strange
name. Alan Jessup accepted the subter-
fuge carelessly. aware of the strength OF
his own position as a free American on
his own vessel under his country's flag
and offered no opposition. After all. what
did 1t matter to him II Won Hengel chose
TO lie? It wasn't his AFFAIR.
And so ut last they sat upon the after
deck, aware Of the joyous lift of the
ground swell beyond the Hook, which an
nounced that they were upon their way.
At the breakfast table next moTning
captain HOagland joined them.
"Mr. Jessup," he began breezfly, Il
stand on this matter of Captain Won Hen
GEL
What do you mean. Hoaglandg' Jessup
asked carelessly.
"Just this, sir. You know and know
that your guest here Is not Mr.. Adolf
Niederstrohm. as his passport indicates.
but Count Won Hengel a captain in the
Germany army"
Won Hengel bowed and smiled: Jessup
shrugged
I'VE came through American inspection
all right" Hoagland went on, because
this craft. is pretty well known in New
York. but IT may not always be so easy"
why not?"
Because other people may be more
curious. l don't say we can't get by with
it, for the paper looks all right, but what
can we do, sir, If some English boat
boards US and takes Captain Won Hengel
on? That's what want to know"
Won Hengel smiled.
I'm willing 10 take the risk The pass
port is all right. 1t ought to be. It came
from the Swedish Minister. As to my
name, isn't Niederstrohm as good as any
other?"
quite So" said Jessup lazily.
Captain Hoagland shrugged.
i
only wanted to be sure Of your wishes
But ] believe In speaking out, sir You
understand. Mr.. Jessup?"
Eyes. Hoagland, that's quite all right.
But what makes you think"-
Merely that there's a British cruiser
abaft our port beam and she's crawling
up rather fast"
"Ah. a British cruiser. But she could
hardly catch US il we
No, sir. Perhaps not, II we chose to
show our heels, but | thought that
What are we doing now"
Eighteen, sir"
"Ahi' said Jessup with a yawn Make
1t twenty, Hoagland. I've never believed
in the right of search"
Very good. SIR" said Captain Hoagland,
touching his cap and going out on deck.
1essup was critically examining his
finger nails when Won Hengel turned from
the portfolio toward the table
Il thank you my friend" said the Ger
man in his deep voice. "You are very
good, but think you need not fear on nv
account. The passport is all right"
Yes" said Jessup quietly, but YOU
aren't. | dislike the practice of lying"
Won Hengel laughed. Il take that re-
sponsibility," he said at last.
Jessup walked to the portfolio and gazed
He reached the portfolio and gazed out
at the pail Of black smoke that was flying
tan-wise down to leeward The deck
vibrated under their feet as the engine
room responded to the signal from the
bridge. This is going to be worth while"
He put on cap. went out on deck. and
with his binoculars focused the distant
cruiser. From the wireless room forward
came the tense swapping of messages