Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-08-01
Continued from Yesterdays starr

Back outside the Brevard Line pier
Greg stopped. a a loss what to do
with his cab. He could not bring
himself to drive out on the pusy'
lighted pier again; that they had es.
capped discovery the first time seemed
miraculous now He finally decided
to leave it outside in a spot little
apart from the procession passing in
and out. If anybody happened to
look in while he was gone, we'll, SO
be it, The matter would be decided
for him.
1t is scarcely necessary to state
that Mr.. Gregory Parr. alias Hickey
Mech. was not aboard the Savoia.
already warning all but intending
passengers ashore. Mr.. Parr," Greg
was informed. had-not paid the bal
ance of his passage money, and ms
He was not in the stateroom that
had been allotted him. His baggage
still lay unclaimed on the pier.
Safely hidden by no t.,s,,u Greg g,s sa 10
dispose of the issue of his crime! He
knows. Of course, that | dare not re-
port tho matter to the police! What
a downy bird | have BEEN
With long earth shaking rum
BILE of her whistle the Savoia began
to back out of her slip. while Greg
made his way heavily back towards
the spot where he had left his cap.
He took a survey of 1t from niue
distance. prepared for instant flight
If necessary. but there was no one
near it. He approached II singeriy'
cranked his engine, and drove away,
his problem still unsolved.
Once more the lights OF the Bre-
ward House across the plaza attracted
him. The front door of the bar was
now closed. but business was stun
being done by means of the slde doo[.
Greg went in with foolish hope that
sd inlx
old place against the mahogany. IL
was doomed to disappointment. or
course. The pink cheeked bartender
was still on duty: There was no
Hickey was, because Greg had seen
on his first visit that they were not
acquainted The bartender looked
hard at Greg. and the latter had not
even nerve to order a orlnk' pul
walked out again. ..,,
AS he came out he. got a sickenlng
turn. a man was standing close
beside his cab, looking around. HAD
he looked inside? t." WINDOWS were
closed. and one could not see very
well without opening the door. Greg 5
first impulse was to run for H. Dut
once again his obstinacy forced. MN
to stand fast, forced him 10 march
up to the man. He was tall, hand,
of middle life, with hawklille, patri-
clan features He had slightly
foreign air. His dress was perfec-
tion without being in any way con
spicuous. He did not look as II he
had just become aware of something
horrible; on the contrary as Greg
came closer he saw that the man
was slightly intoxicated. He does
not know" Greg thought with
great lift of the heart.
in a thick voice. Want to engage
YOU" His voice retained only trace
of a foreign accent, -,
1--WE got a fare" Greg said
.where?" asked the other trying
to peer through the glass.
Hes drunk" said Greg, quickly
Hes lying down.
The tall man sniggered in foolish
way We'll, he won't mind waiting
a bit then. Take me while he's
front with YOU
Greg reflected that he needed the
money, and moreover that the NAN
riding beside him would afford him
danger that he in his befuddled state
would discover anything.
"All right" he said. Where to?''
Jersey City" said the tall man
pointing across the plaza to the Erie
ferry.
They seated themselves side by side
and started.
where did you pick up the drunken
man." asked Greg's fare.
Had him all evening", replied Greg.
His friends beat it and left him
on my hands. have to wait until
he sleeps it off before l can collect
my fare" :.
said the tall man with his foolish
Singer.
1t gave Greg a nasty turn. Was
Ii possible he had seen or was this
just the Numbering of drunken
man? Perhaps he was not so
drunk as he seemed. Greg thought
ly down into his boots. But surely
this man with his inimitable air of
breeding and his proud glance could
not be a plain-clothes man. And
anyway why should a detective want
to take him to Jersey City? And if
he were not a detective. what interest
could he have in merely tormenting
Greg. After a moment of sheer panic,
Greg's spirits rose little.
In his turn he began to wonder
what errand a man of this kind could
have across the river as such time
of night. That quarter is not usually
thought of as the abode of aristo-
Gratis
where to in Jersey City?" asked
Greg.
I'll tell you when we get there"
Il just asked because 1 don't know
the town.
Neither do l."
By this time they were at the ferry
house. There was no boat in the
slip and they had to wait outside
for some minutes.
When the gates were finally opened
they were almost the first in line, but
Greg'S fare would not let him enter
until all the express wagons, milk
wagons, mail wagons and other late
vehicles had gone in.
Wait till the last. Wait till the
last" he said. It's safer"
safer?" he asked.
Il wouldn't want to be caught in
the middle of the boat If anything
happened" the tall man said with
the obstinacy of one in his condition.
Drive on last, and stay out on the
back deck in the open. It's safer"
There's nothing in that" said
Greg.
We'll. you do what 1 tell you any
how. I'm willing to pay for what l
want. Here's IS on account
Greg shrugged and took the money.
He was sure then that he had the
vagaries of drunken man to deal
with. - +
AS his fare desired he let his taxi
ferryboat. AS soon as she left her
slip this part of the deck was de-
serted. for everybody else in
stinctively pressed up forward to be
ready to land. Greg's fare. lit a cigar
of wonderful fragrance.
"This is NICE" he said, taking his
ease. Il don't like to be crowded
on a boat"
But presently he underwent a
feather-headed change of mood.
Lets stroll up to the bow so we can
see where we're going" he said 4
But thought you wanted to stay
here" said Greg astonished.
GAS long as the cabs here it's all
right" he said with perfect incon-