The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1921-02-03

tereSt.
Webster smiled. Looking for that
valet they heard me talking about" he
reflected. "Pop-eye, you're q fine,
capable lad. l thought you had the
brains Of the two. You're not going
away until you've had a 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 fzz 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:
allow do you do?"
Mr.. Webster looked up and beheld a
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-
Guided he was invading the sanctity Of
another's staterOom. Excuse me-" he
said, 81 guess I'm In the right church
but the wrong pew" and he stepped
out and looked for the number on the
stateroom. To his surprise it was No.
"a after all, SO he stepped back into
the stateroom and favored the stran-
ger with another scrutiny.
ut does appear to me, my friend"
he said presently, "that I detect some
thing strangely familiar about your
pajamas."
II wouldn't be the least bit surprised
Mr.. Webster. / found them in your
suitcase"
Fell n silence of perhaps half a min
ute. Then:
81 dislike to appear inquisitive,"
Webster began, "but the fact is, neigh
Dor, I'm curious to know where you
got that book. I observe you are read
ing Samuel Buffers Way Of All
FLESH and that the book Is slightly
damaged. Recently ! purchased such
a book in"
pray do not take the trouble to ex-
plain" the other answered airily. 81
discovered this excellent book in your
suitcase also. In fact, for me, that
suitcase has proved to be a repository
Of treasures"
John Stuart Webster's neck came
out Of his collar with the s%uddenness
Of a turtle swapping at a fly; he drew
himself up beside the top berth until
his face was on q level with his unbid-
den guests, upon whom he bent a look
of mingled emotions.
"Who the devil are your" he de-
manded.
II regret l have no card, but ever II
l had 1t would be nc kindness to inflict
upon an American gentleman the cog
nomen my parents honored me with,
1t is long and many-jointed, like a
the saints In the calendar. Moreover,
just at present l am travelling under
an alias. I am known as Mr.. Andrew
Bowers"
"And your occupation?" Webster
managed to %articulate.
Valet de chambre to that prince of
Mr.. John S. Webster" the
other replied with q mischievous CLEAN
in his dark eyes.
Mr.. Webster sat down Imply on the
He was undecided whether to
with laughter or shrek with rage;
while he struggled for a decision An
drew Bowers blew smoke rings at the
Haven't l seen you before?" Web
Ster queried presently.
81 wouldn't be surprised. drove
you down to the steamer in a taxi half
an hour ago. You will recall that the
driver carried your luggage
aboard"
Webster gazed around the stateroom.
Where have you hidden your liveryY'
he demanded.
81 wrapped 1t In a newspaper; then.
oCChilS ~ oiIS WiiCh liz uSCh Oul-
side was deserted. / stepped forth in
MY beg your pardon, yOur-pajamas
and tossed It overheard"
"But apparently you did not bring
aboard with you a suit of clothes to
take the place Of your livery?"
"Quite Fundamentally so, Mr..
Webster. Perhaps you will accept my
desperate need as an excuse for Dor
rowing your pajamas. l notice you
another suit Of them. Fortunate
mani"
Andrew Bowers was q man of per.
haps thirty years. five feet ten inches
tall, and apparently In excellent health.
He might have weighed a hundred and
seventy pounds and he was undeniably
handsome.
While Webster was wondering
whether his companion was merely a
high-class tramp or an a%bsconding
bank cashier. a knock sounded on the
stateroOm door. He opened 1t and the
purser stood In the entrance.
Ticket, please?" he announced.