Evening star., 1933-04-26


was crowded with people ike an
inn Summer garden on sun
day. The ZeiSs telescope had
sighted the Zeppelin an hour
ago.
Stephanson sat with two American
men, and had pushed his chair away
from the table. In reply to Thomas
Good morning he Spat out an al
most inarticulate sound.
Sorry Mr.. Stephanson I have to
order very stringent diet"
so I'm not doing so well,' said
Stephanson with drawl And whose
fault is it? Not yours, but my OWL.
because I took passage without my own
cook and doctor"
Thomas was silent. He was less sur
prised at the changed manner of the
man than at his changed appearance.
There was no trace any longer OF youth
full fire in his eyes, of the feline ingratl-
ating charm in his motions. Even the
voice was changed. He had suddenly
turned into malicious old man.
At this moment. Messrs Bartlett and
Hawkins arrived. looking fresh and rosy.
Have you seen the latest news from
New York;" asked Bartlett. smiling
ironically. The Evening Press yester-
day had a report emanating from the
Columbia that Stephanson was buying
German Shipping. Ltd"
The reports lie, say it myself, y
thundered Stephanson, without regard
for the fact that it was the great
statesman to whom he was talking:
If the people at the next table failed
to hear this astounding statement. 1t
was due to the silver-gray. creature
which hung in the golden mist Of tine
eastern sky. Although hundreds of eyes
had been looking for it for the last
hour it had appeared very suddenly,
as if by magic. At Stephansons table
alone no one paid any attention to it.
AS the result of the furious words OF
his former chief. Bartlett was suddenly
changed and became StephanSon's in
significant little secretary. He had laid
aside his superior, ironic smile, ara
placed the piece of toast which he had
already begun to eat back on his plate.
1T must be a very serious consid-
Grafton which"
The most serious in so far as am
concerned. My health!" said Stephan
son.
He had slaved his whole life, ana
why should he go on Shaving now, when
it was no longer necessary? For whose
sake should he slave? He was finished.
Not another word.
Bartlett nevertheless, tried to inter-
vene: Did Stephanson remember how
far advanced the negotiations ALREADY
were? And how far his friends HAD
taken an interest. and how they hau
even exercised their political influence
in his favor? The report in the Eve
ming Press was an indication .
The report means nothing. 1t hao
its origin in that worm. Hansom-be-
sides. 1 have already denied the re-
port
oh"
Yes I went to the wireless station
at O'Clock. Yes I. myself. If l had
sent any one else, I would have as
sumed that he was himself involved IL
Shipping shares, and would have ue-
layed the message until he mad sold
them at the HIGHEST price. I wire.essei
at o'clock, that is $50 New YORK
time. The extra editions with the de-
niel will. therefore, be out on the
:1~eets shortly after the opening of the
I.o Exchange
Silence Bartlett and Hawkins ST.
cretly exchanged glances.
IF I weren't convinced" Stephan
son continued. that a man in your
position would not engage in Stock EX-
change speculation, I would advise you
to liquidate at once"
Bartlett smiled politely and made
deprecatory gesture with his hand.
At this very moment the engines OF
the Zeppelin became audible but only
for few seconds. for then the whole
deck roared as if from single throat:
"Hurrah!" and waved with handker-
chiefs and table napkins.
Hawkins took advantage of this ex-
citement to make his way toward the
radio room. Perhaps he might succeed
at least as far as he and Bartlett were
concerned. in getting a decent price.
There is the future' said Stephan
son, and pointed upward, without, how
ever. thinking it worth while to look
up. 40 years hence not even picture
post card seller would think of crossing
the ocean in a daWdling oil-burning
ship like this. BY then all transoceanic
ships will be scrapped for old IRON"
The Zeppelin was now directly over
the Columbia The people, in their mac
enthusiasm. had leaped upon chairs
and tables. They shouted until their
throats became raw.
Thomas worked his way out of thc
enthusiastic crowd. stumbling over legs
pushing people aside, and almost get
ting rude in his hurry. He had to see
Krieglacher he had to warn him. to
urge him to sell his cursed Shipping
shares.
But Krieglacher had left Mother
Webers bedside, where he had Stayco
only 10 minutes, as Sister Martha re-
ported Thomas hurried to writing
room.