Evening star., 1927-09-24


him, for he put aside more imQortu-
nate arrivals and came directly to
her. and with her keys she placed
in his hand a 100-franC note, almost
the last of her tiny. long-treasured
hoard.
Nothing to declare, but hurry,
please" she murmured in her precise,
unaccustomed enunciation. Il must
try to make train -
Janet did not finish, for, glancing
up at the trunks piled beneath the
"C' sign next to hers, she had met
the quizzical gaze of Mrs. Carlin.
The face which had been haggard
and marred with passion in the unex-
pected glare of her stateroom light
| was rosy and smiling now. the make
up obvious but not crude beneath the
discreet veil and the woman had the
audacity to bow with gay air of un-
concern and then turn away as from
a steamer acquaintance in whom she
| felt no further interest. Before she
| did so, however, Janet had caught the
expression in her eyes and involun-
tarly shivered.
She had little time to think of her,
| for, even as she turned back to the
| inspector who was already restrap-
ping her small trunk, the voice of
Forgive me, Miss Dane. Our last
conversation ended in a most unfor
tunate misunderstanding, but I want
| to renew my offer to be of service to
you in any way that is possible for
me-"
Janet was forced to look up at him,
| for his broad shoulders reached almost
| to the top of her head, but she made
| her glance as withering as she could.
Thank you, Mr.. Marriott" Her
voice was icily sweet. There Is no
possible way in which you could be
of any service to me except, perhaps,
in--in ceasing to offer it! Thank you.
L will check all but this one bag. if
you please"
She added this pointedly to the in
spector who was surrendering her
keys, and when she picked up her lit
tie handbag and started for the gates
Philip Marriott had disappeared. She
had seen his cleancut face whiten
beneath it's healthy tan at her rebuff
and a pang Of remorse asSailed her,
but she steeled herself against it. He
had been impertinent, insulting! He
had spoken sneeringly of the blood
that was in her; he was worse even
than that CarIin woman, who had
threatened her life!
OF Mr. Afford she had seen moth
ing since their talk on the port side
and he was nowhere near the "K"
department, although she made a de-
tour in order to pass it. Nevertheless,
Janet shouldered her way through the
clamorous crowd of taxi drivers and
looked for the maroon car, sitting the
misgivings that assailed her with the
remembrance that he knew Daddy,
he knew the message of the watch
and had responded to it. That must
be enough for heri
There were two dark red limousines
in the line still waiting, but the man
behind the wheel for the first sat
straight as a ramrod, his we'll trained
gaze fixed woodenly ahead, while the
driver of the second was a short,
stocky negro who had climbed down
to the running board, the whites of
his eyes glistening as he rolled them
in search of an expected arrival. His
shoulders were rounded convexly, and
as he Strengthened at Janet's address
the hump stood out pathetically under
the smart, maroon livery.
You are Nat, aren't you?" she
asked in low, pleasant tone. Then
she peered into the empty body of the
car and added: "Mr. Afford told me
to let you know that he was coming
directly to take me to my father, Mr..
Dane"
you, miss. Your the chauffeur
stammered, his eyes nearly popping
out of his head. You. Mr.. Danes
Miss Janet? Lordy! Lordy"
He leaped down with surprising
agility to open the door for her and
Janet noted that his deformed
shoulders were massively broad and
thick and his arms reached monkey
like almost to his knees. She thought
him the strongest man she had ever
seen, stronger even than the statues
of ancient Romans which she OBJ
served during educational visits to
Italy under the chaperonage of the
sisters.
She sank back in the upholstered
seat with a sigh of relief and placed
the bag beside her. The chauffeur
knew Daddy, knew even her name.
Everything was all right!
You sure Mr.. Afford done coming,
Miss Janet?" Nat popped his head in
wait heah. but if you think maybe
he's come up with some trouble in
there?
NO, Nat He said he would come.
Here he is, now
Mr.. Afford was indeed approaching
at rapid pace, almost a run, and he
appeared to be mopping his brow al
though the mild Spring sunshine held
no great degree of heat. Two por-
ters followed staggering under dou-
BILE load Of hand baggage, and Nat,
with only a brief but grinning nod
to his employer, sprang forward,
seized the impedimenta as though 1t
were so many down pillows and thrust
them into the car.
When the porters were tipped and
had vanished the chauffeur said, quite
loud enough for the girls listening
ears, That young lady? She say she
Miss Dane?"
$50 she is," Mr.. Afford replied. ITS
all right, Nat, everything! Had a
run-in just now, though, and we've
got to step on the gas"'
Then he opened the door and with
a smile of reinsurance seated himself
beside her while the chauffeur slipped
into his seat and they were Off.
II was delayed, but I'm glad you
managed to follow my suggestions,
began her companion. You found
the car without any difficulty"
"Yes. Mrs. Carlin looked daggers at
me and Mr.. Marriott came up and Of
fered me his services again, but l
snubbed him! Why, you're hurt!'
The half-stif1ed cry burst from
Janet's lips as he took the handker-
chief for moment from his forehead.
and she saw that it was stained with
red.
Nothing, mere scratch He re-
placed the handkerchief again and,
bending forward fl1mbled with his