Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-19


clutched tightly in his hand, a
veritable turmoil ragged within his
breast.
ut wasn't a fever delirium! I did
see those crystal slippers. those tiny
ankles, this amazing $1,000 bill! Who,
what and where!'
And as his eyes studied the note he
kept repeating: "Who, what and
where! Who, what and where
Finally adding: "Why?"
The moon was fast disappearing,
and the cabin was almost dark when
Christopher had one Of those intui-
tions which are never explained. the
conviction that he was being watched
by some one upon the deck. He pull
ed back his curtain and thrust his
head out, searching the deck. There
was no one in sight.
"Well," he told himself savagely,
"this thing is getting my goat! The
next time Kean needs some one to
gather human interest he'll have to
look darned sight further than yours
truly, Meantime I'll slip this con-
founded note under my rug until morn
ing comes and the purser can hand 1t
back to Lady Slipper! Who Is the
woman, anyway? What makes Straine
so interested in her? Why didn't she
pick him instead Of me?"
And then he concluded bitterly. "she
saw that Straine was nuts over Anne.
of course. Anybody could see that.
Too much competition. so she chose
me, and she's no chicken, either!
Forty il she's a. day! A seasoned ad-
ventures If there ever was one. Well.
we'll, it's great world for bachelors"
He was about to slip the yellow
banknote beneath his rug when the
door opened cautiously and a mans
head was stuck through the opening.
It was Victor Straine.
"Oh, Dahlgren! Just heard the doc
tor say that you had a touch Of heat
prostration. Anything can do?"
The light from the passageway
shone full upon Dahlgren, the yellow
bill clutched tightly in his hand. and
Straine's eyes instantly fastened upon
1t with questioning stare.
Anything you want?" Straine re-.
peated his question, IT see you've got
your money handy. Shall I buy you
a drink? Why: What a large bill to
carry around-S1, 900! My word, Dahl.
gren, that's the second one of those
babies I've seen since came aboard!
didn't suppose there were so many
out Of captivity"
Neither did I" returned Chris, fu-
rious at this unwelcome visitation,
land this isn't mine. Somebody plant
ed 1t on me and I'm about to ring for
the purser and get rid Of the respon-
sibility."
oh" the tone Of Straine's excla.
nation added heaping Goals to Chris
fury. "Oh, how interesting! Perhaps
you are right, under the circum-
stances. Most unusual coincidence
most! Let me ring for you. You seem
most unwell."
He pressed button In the wall, and
q pause ensued, Chris throwing him.
self again upon his berth, the bank.
note held tightly, while Straine seated
himself upon the cabins one small
chair. It was several minutes before
the Steward Fritz appeared, rubbing
his eyes sleepily.
Herr Dahlgren ring: Sick some
more? Like some more ice, perhaps?"
:! want the purser," Chris sat erect
In his berth; ''tell him I'm sorry to
disturb him at this hour Of the night.
but its very important"
"Ach, Herr Dahlgren. pleasem Fritz
was genuinely distressed. ut Is 2
o'clock already! The ship is in bed
Inc Herr Purser becomes most angry
with me. and day come so soon now!
Mein Herr, please wait! Only four.
f1ve hours, please"
TITS too bad, Fritz, I know"
Straine's even tones intercepted the
reply upon Chris lips, but there is
a reason for Mr.. Dahlgren's needing
the purser and / will take the respon.
sibility of your waking him. Tell him
that Mr.. Dahlgren has found a large
sum or money concealed in his room.
That will bring him soon enough"
But Herr Dahlgren very sick,
much fevers" Fritz still protested
first he think he finds a chair. now
he gets himself money. Such fevers
always make such dreams, Mein
Herr" His hands made an expressive
gesture.
SHOW him the bill, Dahlgren. y
Straine directed, and Chris, reviline
himself for obeying, still found him
self yielding. Fritz studied the bill
with widely dilating eyes.
''Du lieber Gott" he exclaimed, and
then, recovering himself, went hurried
~ from the room, muttering his
establishment.
4Uh 6CCs suzanne ODSCTyGQ, YOU
don't want that thing in your hands
even for an hour. Looks too queer.'
Chris did not reply. He was askine
himself why this man had intruded IL
this masterful way and at this hour
Was 1t true that the doctor had re
ported his illness in the smokine
room, causing this unweicome atten
ton from an open enemy? Illness
Chris hadn't been i'll at all, He hat
lied when he had complained I,
Straine OF headache, lied to get ri,
of the fellow! What an Arabian
Nights entertainment he was fur
nishing!
A full 10 minutes elapsed befor
Fritz returned with the purser, VIII
was young American and a Yer.
disguised one at that!
What's going on here? Couldn'
you people wait till morning?" h
asked abruptly. This is supposed t
be night in spite of the tropic moon"
This time Christopher got in ahea
OF Straine. saying:
Sorry, but / had to call you.
found this thousa nd dollar banknot
on the floor under my window. Neve
saw IL before and don't want to hav
anything to do with It," He held GU
took it, his face registering astonist
ment.
"You found it where?" he asked ir
credulously.
Just as I said, on the floor unde
the window. l was lying there 1
that berth, awake, and all at once
saw 1t huttering about. Either 1t ble'
10 Or somebody dropped It throug