Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-07
CHAPTER xxi.
Naxv Trails

as he sailed back to Colon on
X the government tug, laden
| with the refugees from the
wrecked steamer Hope. we are
confronted with most detected
young lover. Night had fallen, Anne
was lost in a country strange to her
and strange to himself. and the
thought of the long search which lay
ahead almost unnerved him. What
should he do first, who would help
him?
And now his thoughts returned to
Winston. His anxiety for Anne had
driven that hysterical clown and his
silly mother from Christopher's mind.
What had become of that crazy pair.
Once more the memory of the voyage
with it's strange happenings returned
the thousand-dollar bill, "a counter
feiO the kiss on the back of the head.
the carrier pigeons. What a mix-up
it had been. and how far from solu
ton it remained.
To while away the time he asked
the first officer if any additional light
had been shed upon the disappear
ance of Lady de wore during the
day. but the officer said that the affair
remained mystery.
The captain will have his wireless
adjusted by this time" the officer
said, land then something may be
discovered"
did the crew remain aboard?"
Chris was thinking of the stewardess
Sonia. and was relieved when the
officer reported that the crew were
all safely aboard with the exception
of one young seaman who had ac-
companied him.
Funny that I couldn't find Wins
ton in Cristobal. or that headquarters
didn't seem to be much interested in
him. Chris thought. Where shall
l begin to look for him? This Canal
Zone is a whale Of a big place.!
And then as an afterthought he
added: Just as we'll that l wrapped
that slipper in paper and had 1t safe
" locked ito the hotel safe with the
usual precaution of signing for 1t.
It's bound to be used as evidence be.
fore this matter is cleared up
But Christopher was not to be long
in suspense about Winston, for before
the tugs engines had ceased to throb
or she had been tied up to the dock.
a braying laugh echoed through the
night air. and Christopher. peering
eagerly into the waiting throng. be-
held the owner of this unmistakable
sound standing close to the edge of
the wharf, woman hanging to each
arm!
Winston caught sight of Chris, 81
simultaneously, and hailed him with
his usual insane lingoi
"Dahlgren! Hurrah. Thought the
sharks had got you! See what I've
dug out of this spiggety country! Two
beautiful banana babies! Banamese
fiappers, not day over fourteen, and
wise-Gerrusalem! Meet S'nora CHM.
alene and S'nora Limousine, all ready
to beat the world with us!'
Chris was the first passenger off
the tug, and ignoring the "Panemese
Banana Babies pulled Winston
aside. saying in low tones:
Where in - have you been?
Hunted you the blessed day! Where 6
Anne, for Gods sake? Have you seer
her."
"Anne?" the bantering talk was
gone Immediately, as Winston. took
hold of Christophers coat you
haven't lost them. Didn't you get
me? | thought you were on
II couldn't help myself! Lost her
when | dove overheard and landed
in the wrong boat. No way to reach
her after we got ashore. and l follow
ed you up to Gatun Locks"'
Winston hardly seemed to be listen
ing. breaking in with a low whisper
in his ear:
you didn't let the Russian go. die
you?" sf<
mo! She's with the ship all right
the crew was left aboard and these
who manned the boats went back
after the passengers were put aboard
fEA tfRer irrEA lx@A T.
first officer, he's with us! Guess the
captain has Sonia safely locked up,
anyway. he'll bring her into Cristobai
when he comes"
Winston was listening now. his
eyes narrowed Until only slit of their
gray depths was visible.
"Well, WE'LL" he said, resuming his
former manner. "guess everything
will be all right. Where are you
stopping. Washington Hotel?"
Eyes. I looked for you there and
at the Strangers Club, where have
you been all this time? Fooling with
your banana babies?" Chris could
not conceal his disgust as his eyes
took in the two girls brought by
Winston for his entertainment.
"I1l go back there now and take
a last look for Anne" he continued.
Then I'm going to search every inch
of this Canal Zone until I find her,
You might help me if you can tear
yourself away from your friends! So
long.'
wait for me at the hotel" Wins
tons whisper was little more than a
breath, while aloud he cried: well.
If you can't appreciate these tropical
fruits somebody else will! All the more
for me. old corpse, I'm not dead yet
by long shot," And drawing his
girls more closely to his side Winston
sauntered off. his laugh accompany.
ing the trio.
Christopher jumped into a cab and
babe the driver make all speed to the
Washington Hotel. and in the lobby
he had another important encounter
Mrs. Winston in elaborate evening
clothes was reclining upon a chair.
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