Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1921-03-11

thing strangely FAMILIAR ABOUT your
pajamas."
II wouldn't be the least bit surprised
Mr.. Webster. found them in your
suitcase"
Fell a silence of perhaps half min
ute. Then:
II dislike to appear inqulstive,"
Webster began, "but the fact Is, neigh
Dor, I'm curious to know where you
got that book. observe you are read
ing Samuel Buffers Way Of All
Flesh and that the book is slightly
damaged. Recently purchased such
a book in"
spray do not take the trouble to ex-
plain" the other answered airily. II
discovered this excellent book in your
suitcase also. In fact, for me, that
suitcase has proved to be a repository
Of treasures"
John Stuart Websters neck came
out of his collar with the suddenness
of a turtle swapping at fly; he drew
himself up beside the top berth until
his face was on level with his unbid-
den guests, upon whom he bent look
Of mingled emotions.
"Who the devil are your" he de-
manded.
II regret I have no card, but even if
had 1t would be no kindness to inflct
upon an American gentleman the cog
nomen my parents honored me with,
for 1t is long and many ointed, like a
peanut, and embOdies the names of all
the saints in the calendar. Moreover,
Just at present | am travelling under
an alias. | am known as Mr.. Andrew
Bowers"
"And your Occupatlon?" Webster
managed to articulate.
"Valet de chambre to that prince of
gentlemen, Mr. John S. Webster" the
other replied with a mischievous CLEAN
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 l seen you before?" Web
ster queried presently.
81 wouldn't be surprised. | 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 liveryY'
he demanded.
81 wrapped 1t in newspaper; then,
seeking a moment when the deck out
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 paiamas. notice You
have another suit of them. Fortunate
mani"
Andrew Bowers was 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 undenably
handsome.
While Webster was wondering
whether his companion was merely
high-class tramp or an abScOnding
bank cashier, a knock sounded on the
stateroom door. He opened it and the
purser stood in the entrance.
Ticket, please?" he announced.
Webster surrendered both tickets,
receiving in turn two seat checks for
the dining saloon. and the purser
passed on to the next cabin.
Andrew Bowers smiled a small, pre-
scient smile. but said nothing, and
presently John Stuart Webster broke
the silence. well" he ordered "sing
the song or tell the story"
81 noticed you surrendered my ticket
to the purser," the young man an
swered irrelevantly, "and | am glad of
that. take it as prima facie evidence
that you have made up your mind to
accept my company"
You're too Internally cool and cock
sure, my friend" Webster warned him
testify. 81 pride myself on a sense of
humOr and l dearly love joke until
it's carried too far, but be advised in
time. young man. and don't try to play
horse with me. My acceptance or non
acceptance of you is subject for fu-
ture discussion, since at present we
have some fiduciary matters before us.
You owe me fifty dollars for your tick
ct, Andrew Bowers, and in view of the
fact that | never saw you before to-
day, suppose we start the voyage by
squarlng the account
Andrew Bowers sat up in the berth
and let his legs drape over the side
"Mr. Webster" he began seriously, "if,
prior to the arrival of the purSer to col
lect the tickets, you had handed my
ticket to me. saying Here is your