The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1921-04-14

way through the crowd to his room.
looked In. saw that his baggage was
there, and walked around on the star
board side to Join I'm the general fare
well of all on board to the crowd on
the levee.
At the shore end of the gangplank
Pucker-eye and Pop-eye still waited.
The unfortunate Pucker-eye was weep
ing with pain and futile rage and hui
initiation, but Webster noticed that
Pop-eye's attention was not ON his
friend but upon each passenger that
boarded the ship, of which there were
the usual number of late arrivals. AS
each passenger approached, Pop-eye
scanned him with more than casual in
terest>
Webster smiled. Looking for that
valet they heard me talking about" he
reflected. "Pop-eye, you're fine,
capable lad. l thought you had the
brains of the two. You're not going
away until you've had chance to size
up the re-enfOrcements at my COM
mand, are your"
He lighted a cigar and leaned over
! the rail as the steamer, gathering
| speed, swept down river.
"Good-by, you golden fizz and
chicken gumbO," he called, as the city
receded and the low, wooded shores
/ below the city came into view.
! When he had finished his cigar he
! cast the stump overheard, watched 1t
: until 1t disappeared astern, and then
went around to stateroom No. "a. AS
he stepped In and closed the door a
masculine voice said very pleasantly ::
"How do you do?"
| Mr.. Webster looked up and beheld a
young man. arrayed in very fancy
pair Of light blue silk pajamas,
stretched at his ease In the upper
| berth.
John Stuart Webster stared at the
! stranger for several seconds and con-
| cluded he was invading the sanctity Of
another's stateroom. Excuse me-" he
! said. ~ guess I'm In the right church
| hut the wrong pew" and he stepped
out and looked for the number on the
| stateroom. To his surprise 1t was No.
"a after all, so he stepped back into
| the stateroom and favored the stran-
! ger with another scrutiny.
"It does appear to me, my friend"
, he said presently, that detect some
thing strangely familiar about your
| paiamas."
II wouldn't be the least bit surprised
Mr.. Webster. found them In your
| suitcase"
Fell silence of perhaps half min
ute. Then:
II dislike to appear inquiSitive."
Webster began, "but the fact IS, neigh
bor. I'm curious to know where YOU
got that book. | observe you are read
ing Samuel Butler's Way Of All
FLESH and that the book is slightly
damaged. Recently l purchased such
a book in"
PRAY do not take the trouble to ex-
plain the other answered airily. 81
discovered this excellent book I'm yO,ir
suitcase also. In fact, for me. that
suitcase has proved to he repository
of treasures"
John Stuart WebSter's neck came
out OF his collar with the suddenness
of turtle swapping at fly; he drew
himself up beside the top berth until
den guests. upon whom he bent look
| Of mingled emotions
'WhO the devil are your" ne de-
manded
II regret l have no card, but even II
had ii would be no kindness to Inflict
upon an American gentleman the cog
nomen my parents hOnOred me with,
for 1t Is long and many jonted, like a
peanut, and embOdies the names of all
the saints In the calendar. Moreover,
just ut present / am travelling under
an alias. l am known as Mr.. Andrew
Bowers"
"And your occupations" Webster
managed to articulate.
Valet de chambre to that prince of
gentlemen, Mr.. John S. Webster" the
other replied with n mischievous gIcam
in his dark eyes.
Mr.. Webster sat down Imply on the
settee. He was undecided whether to
roar with laughter or Shrek with rage;
while he struggled for a decision An.
drew Bowers blew smoke rings at the
ceiling.
Haven't I seen you before" Web
Ster queried presently.
II wouldn't be surprised. I drove
you down to the steamer in taxi half
an hour ago. You will recall that the
taxi driver carried your luggage
aboard"
Webster gaZed around the stateroom
Where have you hidden your liveryr'
he demanded.
u wrapped Il ii a newspaper; then
seeking moment when the deck out
side was deserted. stepped forth in
MY beg your pardon your-pa ajamas
and tossed 1t overheard"
"But apparently you did not bring
aboard with you suit Of clothes to
take the place Of your liveryf"
quite Fundamentally So Mr.
Webster. Perhaps you will accept NV
desperate need as an excuse for bor.
rowing -our pajamas. l notice you
have another auit Of them Fortunate
mani"
Andrew Bowers was a man Of ne.
maps thirty yparS 6ya foot ton i,,,L,