Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-24

"See him tonight" said Wade. Tn
give you his telephone number"
There was nothing to be got out of
this man. The only thing to do was to
wait for the woman to be charged at
Marlborough street. Wade was in court
the next morning when her name was
called. There was no response, but q
solicitor, evidently instructed at the
eleventh hour by Siniford. arose and
said that his clerk had not been able
to get in touch with the woman.
Hes taken her to the country some
where" said Wade to the local inspec-
tor. do you know anything about
him?"
The officer shook his head.
mo, except that he's the usual kin
of waster one meets up west"
HAS he a country house?"
The inspector smiled.
mo. he hasn't. I'll tell you some.
thing, though" he said. In the olo
days he got into quite lot Of trouble
by taking country cottages and leaving
without paying his rent. He's probably
rented a place on the river-that was
his pet hunting ground. I've known him
to take as many as three houses In a
year and blk each landlord In turn.
Since he's had money, he's probably
given up that game. but he may still
have a weakness for the river. III put
through an inquiry"
The inquiry, however, brought no In
formation. Moreover, the case itself
was dismissed because the man who had
been attacked failed to appear. Wade
was eager to see him, hoping to learn
from him the reason for the woman's
| action. The Seal of Troy was lying
In the pool. He had seen her several
times as he had passed I'D and down
the river, a 5,000-ton tramp, differing
from no other tramp save that she had
two tunnels. She was lying In mid
stream taking In cargo Of machinery.
He had seen the heavily laden lighters
al ner side and had watched the huge
packing cases being swung into her hold.
At 8 o'clock that afternoon a police
launch took him to the pool, and he
went over the ships rail. He was met
by dark-skinned officer, who, he
thought was South American.
capt. Aikness is ashore" he said.
Il am the second officer"
John Wade showed his card and was
conducted down the companionway to
small and surprisingly fell furnished
saloon. The walls were paneled with
mahogany; there were two or three deep
leather armchairs, and, at the end Of
the saloon, small fireplace.
This Is the officers dining ROOM"
explained the second officer. "It Is our
good fortune that We have an owner
who treats officers like human beings.
Will you sit down, Mr.. Wade?"
John Wade sat down In one Of the
leather-covered chairs hanking the
long mahogany table that ran down
the center of the saloon.
'"Capt. Aikness had some little trouble,
believe, on Saturday night" said the
second officer. his dark eyes fixed on
Wade. "a woman attacked him in
London, and there has been a police
court prosecution. hope she was not
sent to prison? Capt. Aikness was very
much distressed"
"She was not sent to prison, because
| she didn't appear" said John. "She
Jumped her bail"
The officers eyebrows rose.
Indeed? That Is very satisfactory.
will tell the captain when he returns"
There was nothing to be gained by
waiting, so Wade followed the ofiicer to
| the upper deck, took polite farewell
| and descended to his waiting launch.
Take her round the bow Of this
boat" he ordered, and the little launch
circled out into the stream, turned
under the sharp bow of the Seal Of
Troy, and came back along the shore
side.
Wade had no other intention than
| to bring the launch into slack water
| and thus avoid two lighters that were
being Unanswered to the side of the
ship. Looking up at the hull, he saw.
toward the stern, three square port
holes, and he wondered If the owner
| provided sleeping accommodations as
luxurious as the saloon. The port holes
were open. From one Of them pair
| Of short blue curtains were blowing.
It was these that attracted his atten-
| ton.
The launch was opposite one Of the
| port holes when Wade saw, peering
out, the face of q mana brown,
wrinkled face. Suddenly the man
caught sight Of him and drew back,
! but not quickly enough.
John Wade had recognized the mys-
| ferrous Mr.. Brown, who, once a year,
took Lila Smith to dine at q fashion,
able restaurant.
(To Be Continued)