THE FULTON COUNTY NEWS. McCONNELLSBURG. PA.
The Impossible Boy
By NINA WILCOX PUTNAM
SYNOPSIS.
frArn dint I he darning hear, Mr.
DrrVt'ltl wuoii infill BifiuiNK
Jones,
inly - i-cnrus uiiiiuiion 10 Decoinn
I Dilnl'T n'iirM lit til to quit Old Nllu awl
tli strol 11 bear dancers. I'edro, Old
Nlta uii'l llm l'ur trainers stun fur New
York. Ml lrl Vh nl.-ii.t quarrels with
hrr arllnl lover. Bam Hill, nml they par t.
Slif turnovers In her fathcr'a (leak u por
trail, whlili aim reiomilzoa as that of
Mro. i' rescued bur from the. puma
matcher. JIHI meet FVilro and Mr.
Joiii-i In Washington suuur. I (III iIIkcov
,n taltit In l'edro'i drawing and In a
mail ill sire to limn himself, gives III,
ilmllo and nil In It Id I'edro In cxi-hanga
(or Mr. Joins. I'edro ocimpleg IllH'a am
dJ.i and mils on Laltfh, thu sculptor, Willi
jlfil.r fi "in Hill Ix'IkIi. cullfna; In re
turn, In Hi'- nlli-y bumps Into two men,
onr nf whom la Itea-tn.ild Vnnilerpool, Ilia'
failier, In llM.'iilao. Viiiidcrpool' compan
ion K"" Into tliu basement of Jlltl'n atudlo
ami talks Willi Itlciirilo. or Howe. th
tMvrni-nt tenant, of a conspiracy nullum
i furulcn Kovernmeiit. Vanderpool, over
wh"m llnnn hits a secret hold, la linpll
n'nl. Hi iiiira Iiaimaa and her clilld, aup
pwilly .I.ji.I In an uprising, Howe known
to bf alive. Henora liatiHs.i In driven liy
nVanlo to a resort where tlin consplra
lo meet hi-r and profess loyalty. Ham
Hill s-ea linwn unexpectedly attacked liy
Old Nltu, and rrwima her. Pedro taken
lunrhnw wllh Iris In her home, mei'tlni(
VanileriiiHil. who In disturbed by I'edro'a
(irtwrire. irm tella I'edro her HtiMplrlon
that hrr father la being blackmailed and
ftillta lila help. Irla iiohis for I'edro.
Pwlni ai'ia Howe with Vanderpool nnil
pi-nlna- thrntiKli Rnwc'a basement win
dow la astonished at olicht of a woman
how face, fcutura for feature, la Ilka
Ml own.
CHAPTER XI Continued.
'Ole lady hurted?" beamed this
cberublc personage
"No, only tired out," lied Hill glibly
III hlsto yor to a car," suggested
the man. "Never dl-serted a lady In
distress. Nope!"
I'm afraid they wouldn't let us on
I car." exclaimed Hill. "Are you go
ing downtown, by chance?"
"No, I'm a-goln' a-purpose!" grinned
tht man. "Get In; I'll take yer fur es
I'm join'!"
Hill did not wait to be urged fur
ther, but carried Nlta to the carriage
iloor, which the heavily muffled coach
nan held open.
tany there, with yer ma!" the lat
tfr warned him. "Now Jump In yer
leit. Thin heat la too tierce to lay
inout in.
ri.- i , . ...
mo uurae, wmcn naa stood pas
iliely under Its meager blanket for
noun, scarcely shifting a foot, now
"Til-
L"y Hurted?" Beamed This
Cherubic Personage.
"""a tile hear nml ol.ll,. ar . 11..1..
11 c")' trained Kenton .1.1.1.. ..,.'
ret nudii.K In that unfamiliar odor
T. . "f d"w. the two
.;.Tlu u,e a,'tlon.
nr .1l al, . .
".i.uoui tne hear?" gnapnd Hill
'film U lllln 11
,1,1.1, . " oiiiuuii BOUIKI8
Intlcftted that Mlkey had dla-
-ii'L; ,a lrlck I,lnPl upon him.
ibbv ;. . u,y! ronre1 tlie liappy
m1- Pt)31 t in d 1 ..,...
. " u ufar limine:
- uio neat j .
iifni... ;.: " "uo UUI,B' 1,01 Wlin
. l,,. , nlr- Jones. And as
wuiij iiruA t 1 ...
I (t nuspicioua snm, set
lthp..em?(lnU9 )ace. window
m 72 w opon t0 H"8rgo the
" "KUIH fir tin.... .
onlntMiii ni ""KeJ i no snouted
" taud ,Bibe throut or commun
(Copyright by iioLU-MorrUi Co.)
n . .
me-frrnpo uiiiconlcH. Here Hill, one
aim about hU clmrgn, fumbled In his
breftHt for his wallet, litit the cabby
put up a restraining lmnd.
"Never mind the coin!" he laughed
"Youbg need It more'n mo, I gut-as.'
Better let the doctor take It; you're
a-goln' tor need tor call him In! Yer
seem all to the goo 1, evun if yer be
daRties!"
"You're a gentleman!" exclaimed
Hill, holding out his hand. "Many
thanks for your kindness. You neem
ery happy. May 1 ask why? 1 should
like to congratulate you."
"Oh! It ain't nothln' much," said the
cabby nhceplshly. "I ain't golu' to
bo married, thet's all!"
Wherewith he was gone, anil Hill.
without stopping to ponder upon the
content of this odd reply, set himself
to carrying Nlta up the stairway. At
the llrst landing he stopped and
knocked. The door was presently
opened by Ileau-Jean, a scantily clad
colossus, silhouetted In tho aperture
"gnltiHt tho light of a single candle.
With an exclamation of dismay, the
man stepped back to admit Hill and
his burden, and the painter, staggering
across tho tiny room, deposited Nlta
upon a rugged bed that stood beside
tho cook stove.
"Holy Mother!" breathed Ileau Jean.
"Is she dead?"
"No! Where are the women?" asked
Hill.
In response to tho question Oune
vlore raised herself from her pallet
of quilts 'in the opposite corner, a
sturdy, uninodern figure, with head
swathed for sleeping. With entire un
concern for her negligee, she arose
and came to tho assistance of the
older woman.
"God save us! she Is too ancient to
survive such Injury!" she exclaimed,
examining a swelling which was now
quite obvious on the crone's forehead.
"Hermanla! Anna! come!"
From a tiny Inner closet came Her
manla, clad as for the day, save for
the absence of shoes, and her forehead
band of coins, which was at this mo
ment repotting In her bosom for
greater comfort with no less safety.
After her came Carlos, sleep-stupid
and annoyed. In a moment both wom
en were busy over the prostrated form
of the Injured one; and to the men
Hill was giving an account of the ad
venture that had brought them to such
a pass. They listened without being
ablo to throw the smnllest light upon
the aubject, nor Identify the enemy
who had assaulted the old lady In eo
cowardly a fashion.
Which of you has ever heard of her
enemy?" Hill was asking. "None,
really? And Ikib she no kin whom we
should call upon for help?"
"Nay," salt! Ileau-Jean, tho ponder
ous, "slio is from the Amcrica-of-the-South.
If she bath kin, they are too
far away to levy claim upon."
"Amerlca-of-the-South! What do you
mean?"
Venezuela. I think," said Rico.
Hut how is It possible that no one
knows anything further about her?"
cried Hill. "You have all been with
her for year. Surely you must know
or tho women will, perhaps."
No one but Pedro knows," said
Klco positively. "They camo together;
we all know that much. Hut beyond
that!"
Ho waved his hand with a gesture
expressive of Inflnito vagueness.
Then, If anything threatens her,
It may also affect I'edro," said Hill.
"I'erhnps the Old One will speak
soon, suggested Ileau-Jean, and then
we can find out."
It was a hope to which they all
agreed, but which was not to bo ful
tilled during the watches of that night
As it became evident that rest was tho
most important thing for her, and that
little or nothing could be dono until
the morrow, tho watchers, one by one,
betook themselves to bed.
ton the
At Tw.i..u Blr-
itudden 1 , . reot thQ c"b came to
driver m MalUQ ,lle
-"thulium
Thia 1. T unu "ked In.
"10 door and lnt,.i 1..
'Hals uh, :
"ouiicph 2; y slaD,e 18 nt" he
' iwn . uown tne block.
'"ill Illll'a 1
,, ior gll OUt. HOW
Tr
ftal" u.
IB arlrlnd o.,ni. ,..
So to rennir iti ""t,luUM'y. as
ttwa. rudt;,lesa 'neject-
frel'ir bad.'
"1 1 in afraid
i;
"Gone off
'UDV u-l..i.i .
(rt,ieiJ '""'eu up his face with
r1, itched Ti an.d removln8 w
t!4m 21 "8 .head w"h one
l ian.. "u "na.
mtL ru'f oufihter." said he.
U'8 . , ' .Ur aDd bUt I
,t0i do v ., 09 dun8- When-
tZV" 8ald H111-and
Uld vn,. ' e a bit of mnnnv
nimj. around there, do you
said .u. . .
:k6 . ; ,8,.rat,by. "i might a8
.T4c a:. i.r 1 ""PPose.
Loav yer h . er ma- now, and
Ufa k. Ml a ilffvl"
HD they 'e!"ountd the box, and
1 ' '"fuch n "Ul,u,n8 a tortuous
uiu the mi. ,
'..i urWnwiM. " "luaior or
nrn.,,1.1 -
18 h,
M. ""linrnn.l..i..
urn .. " . "m" UBUness. whose
'wk of flrn ... .
1. "WVY ,lii " vobaunn IVHH
"m a falrv
ui nery oi
"Uln
'ii n 1. h....
H Mr TMBt being again remain with N'lta.
The next day a doctor came nnd pro
nounced that there was nothing alarm
lug in Nlta's Injuries, but that she
must ret for a few days and have
great care. Then he took most of
their money, and having drugged Nlta
after the custom of certain beasts who
prey upon tho not Infrequent victim
to be found among the tenements, pro
ceeded to mako a case for himself
whereby he could come daily until his
patient's finances were exhausted. And
for several days his little plan succeed
ed, for Guncviere was faithful to the
nursing, and administered the drug
with great regularity. On the days
when Hermanla remained at home to
care for the old woman, she, too, was
painstaking ant vigilant. Hut there
came a time when It was Anna's turn
to watch, and Anna forgot to give the
"medicine." For poor little Anna wept
at being separated from Rico, and
weeping', fell asleep. When she awoke,
the day was gone, and what was more
Nlta was gone also. Tlie bed was
made, the old woman's clothing bad
disappeared, and ou the table the
empty coffee cup and plato, showed
that Nlta had not gone hungry!
Now tho doctor had been a eevere
drain upon the resources of these peo
ple, and just at present Hill wnB bring
ing In the most money, for ho added to
his exhibition, sketching portraits at
25 cents apiece. He was usually the
first to step out, and last to return, and
this was more regularly the case since
Nlta's Illness, for the two older wom
en were much occupied. It so hap
pened, then, that on the day just re
corded above, he had gone forth even
before it was decided that Anna should
i '""owed b vu in AI a 80 ' 1 tenemen"i Pt
I'lo,,. . ),( heh. J . wno' wlth gloomy little shops, past meager wares
5llly
And
"Ih. .. 1 "ell. e, wun
Into fK. lne uncon- set forth at cellar doors, on nnd on he
rW. sitiistoi- llnllway. went, absorbed In thought; and behind
8 Bl'thrmo 1 Un(1 forblddln8 hm shuffled Mr. Jones, at whom the
Bl of the crowded children starod and pointed. Down a
back alley they plunged then, man and
bear, and emerging upon a wide slat
ternly avenue, pushed buck a slatted
swinging door, and entered a saloon.
There were shining mirrors within,
and polished woods, with a fine bHr,
all arrnyed with glasses and bottles In
decorative and tempting array. Here
was a group of men In a poHt mltlnlght
mood, hilarious and ready to part with
small change. Sam made Mr. Jones
dance for them, turn somersaults, sit
in an armchair and hold a pipe be
tween his teeth, kiss him. be dead, and
perform many other Intellectual feats
beyond the common acquirement of
bears. The fruit of this effort was
only sixty-one cents.
Then Sam strolled away, ever
toward the river, In a northerly direc
tum that would ultimately lead toward
th4 open country. And all the while
Ins lulled his heart and mind, as, In
deed, sho had dono almost every m
ment since his ungry parting from her.
It came to pass, that, being occupied
with the thought of a red-haired girl,
such as bore locks of a similar color
arrested his eye more frequently and
wun a more personal Interest than did
any other type; and so It followed In
a natural sequence, that when
caught sight of a Titian head (elab
orately puffed, and curled, to be sure
ana quite unilko Iris' gleaming braids)
behind the confusion of feminine ar
tides of apparel In the window of
tiny notion Bhop, ho fancied a resoin
uiauce, and stopped to stare. And
equally Inevitable was It that she
should feel that stare through the win
dow glass and over the mass of articles
therein displayed, as people have
way of feeling a stare; and looking up
she smiled upon the handsome gentle
man whose gaze was riveted upon her.
She was no more like unto Iris than
tno cinnamon pink to the ascension
Illy; nor was she at all pretty. Hut
Sam obeyed a sudden impulse and en
tered the tiny shop, followed by Mr,
Jones.
Together they stood before the little
counter upon which were piled coarse
stockings, underwear with cheap lace
trimming, unsubstantial neckwear,
boxes of niching, gingham aprons aud
bandannas. She stood there, saying
nothing, but smiling. What should he
ask for? It was awkward, dscldudly
1 ei nere no was, and somehow or
other the situation must bo managed
Very vaguely he uttered what seemed
to him an Inanity.
"I I would like soino buttonholes
ho stammered, and then blushed furl
ously at having said such nonsense.
Hut tho young ludy seemed In no
wise disconcerted by the extraordinary
request.
"White or black?" she Inquired
calmly.
"Eh?" said Hill Incredulously.
"I said, did you wish white or black
buttonholes?" Blie smiled.
"Hut but, great Scott! You don't
mean to say you actually have "em?"
gasped Sam.
"Of course. This Is a notion shop;
dldn t you read the sign?"
"Notion shop! I should say it was!
now me uuuee can a note nave a
color? Is that one of tho notions?"
said he.
"I thought you didn't really want
them," said the girl, "but we do keep
'em embroidered on strips, you know,
of black or white stuff and you- sew
'em In!"
"Oh!" said tho enlightened malo,
would you really not mind If I don't
have any, though? 1 don't really need
thorn. You see, you smiled, so I
Just . . ."
"So I guessed," said the girl, "but It
ain't any uso. I'm engaged."
"h!" said Hill, suddenly relieved of
thg absurd situation which he had
brought upon himself. Then he added
gallantly: "You don't expect me to bo
surprised, do you? Ho is such a very
lucky fellow!"
"He is a rover," she said plaintively.
"A what?" queried Hill politely.
"A wanderer on the face of the
earth," she elucidated. "Ho Is In the
lunch-wagon business, and not havln
a regular stand, It takes him to dls
taut purls a lot. You seem to be the
sort that travels, too," sho added, "you
an' tho bear. Ain't he the cute little
feller!"
Hill gave a huge sigh, and looked at
her sentimentally.
"I wish you would Buy as much to
me," he told her sweetly, and then felt
almost as much of tin ass as he looked.
Hut the lady spurned him with tho
air of a tragedy queen.
"ou siioumn i ougni 10 say such Hill
things," said sho loftily. "No matter
what chances offer, I am ever truo to
Mr. Lovejoy.
"Mr. Lovejoy takes a great risk In
being away so much," he added; "some
day he will return to find that you
have been stolen, kidnaped, Miss,
Miss ..."
Call me Lola," said she; "my name
is Lizzy Hluklo, but I like Lola La
Farge better. I road it In a book."
"Miss La Fargo, you are a wonder,"
said Hill sincerely. "When Is the
doughty lunch-wagoner going to marry
you ?"
"Soon's ho can get the money," she
confided to him.
And shall you join blm In his rov
ing life, when that happy day arrives?"
asked Hill.
"Yes!" she sighed. "It must be
lovely to travel. 1 got this from him,
recent. You se It's posted clear over
In Jersey. And this one Is from Yon-
kers. How I shall enjoy seeing the
world!"
"Have you never traveled at all?"
he asked as soon as he dared to raise
his eyes.
"Oh, yes!" she answered. "I've been
to Coney Island twice. But I've never
been uptown. And I've always wanted
to Beo Harlem, too. I've heard such a
lot about it."
"Surely you're kidding me?" h
asked.
"No, I ain't!" Bho disclaimed. "I
was born right around on Eighth ave
nue, and I know more'n one that's been
away less than me. And my ma is
terribly strict, too. She's never let
me go nowhere. Besides, there's the
shop. I've been minding that ever
since I left school."
"I don't wonder you want to got
away!" exclaimed 8am.
"Whon I can go honest!" Bhe added.
"Hut meanwhile I do love to get picture-postals!
It's next best to goln'
yourself."
"May I sen jrou a postal or two If nnd Bpt to work among the river-front
I happen to wandor to some far-off rpaorts.
place say Hronxvllle. for Instance '
or would Mr. Lovejoy object?" A' midnight the Jersey shipyards
"Oh, that would be grand!" said ar" very still, and down toward where
Lolu, the freckled. "Thank you awfully, tho docks are fewer, and farther apart,
Mr. . . . What was tho name?" 't is quiet Indeed, once darkness has
"Hill," said Sam, who usually an- falhrn. Hero and there one hears the
swored bo Impulsively that he seldom baying of humanity (so called) belch
remembered to lie. 'ng out from the swinging doorway of
"Mr. Hill, you are real kind," she nie low-celllnged, evil lighted den,
beamed. "Mr. Lovejoy, he won't have tho resort of poverty and brut
"Now that I have dona my duty,"
said he to Mr. Jonei. "I shall loaf; I
must loaf. I must think of her uninter
ruptedly for a while. You know whom
I moan, Mr. Jones: MI leave her un
named, as should be the case betweeu
gentlemen, but you will understand."
Mr. Joues grunted In reply, and they
set off.
And so It camo about that, what
with one thing and another, Hill re
mained in Jersey until night fell, ate
urn supper from a crowded lunch
wagon near the docks, and afterward
gave the WltltOll Itaelf a mlnnta und
critical examination. The result of
this last was, that as soon hs be had
done, ho went to the nearest news
stand. Here he bought a post card
upon which was depleted a pea-green
likeness of the local Boldlors' monu
ment, and wrote In tho space for cor
respondence "I bad supper tonight
with Mr. Lovejoy. His wagon It
superb, and at tho present rate of the
business he has, I shall expect a wed
ding Invitation Inside a month." Then
he signed his own name, appended the
joues street address, and posted It.
Then, much exhilarated by his "long
inougni of Iris, and the ninuant cola
cldence that had befallen him. he de
termined to turn the night to profit,
no objections,
won't know."
I guoss. Anyway, he
strength, where tho enormous energies
engendered by outdoor work find vent
Though not pretty, she was a swoet under the name of recreation. Against
little thing,
"True," Bald Hill. "There are many
simple Innocent occurrences that don't
hurt us If we don't know about them.
For Instance, Mr. Lovejoy couldn't ob
ject because he wouldn't know If I
. . . hum!"
Here Hill leaned very far over the
the outer darkness loom masses yet
more dark, and sometimes a crimson
light, like a dull Jewel, smokes at the
crest of these, when the Indefinable
bulk Is a ship.
At wide Intervals, a flaring light Il
lumines a throng of tollers, who. like
the distorted creatures of a dream,
Rowe, who struck blm across the
mouth.
Dazed by this needless Insult, and
wholly unable to retaliate because o
his captors, Sam suffered himself to
be led aboard, his custodians still hold
ing hlrn fast. No Booner was this dono,
and the door shut upon them, than It
was opened again to admit Howe, who
was followed by a dark little Spaniard,
presumably one of the shlp'B officers.
"Sit down," commanded Rowe, lock
ing the door.
Hill paid no attention, standing
speechless with rage. Rowe drew a re
volver from his hip pocket, pulled up
an armchair to one side of tho table,
and pointed to a second Beat, which
was placed opposite. He Indicated tbo
chair with the muzzle of his weapon,
Sit down," hs repeated politely,
Hill sat.
Now, my dear, mysterious land
lord, began Rowe, "I havo at last dis
covered your real trade. I always
thought you were a rotten painter, but
I never dreamed that you were' a de
tective a spy!"
Hut I'm not!" exploded I X 111. vainly
ondoavorlng to appear calm. "Ijt me
explain. I'm not watching . .
Tardon me!" said Rowe. "Our last
meeting, taken In connection with, this
one, explulns the situation far more
fully than any words of yours are like
ly to do. You are a government spy,
GERMAN
S
BOMBS INTO PARIS
Their Forces Moving on Ostend
, After the King of
Belgium.
Big Guns Moved From Antwerp
to France.
counter, and Lola leaned very far to- rush about In methodical disorder, ac
ward him, doubtless to discover what
he was referring to, which sho quickly
did, for he kissed her lightly upon the
lips.
Then he turned, and went out, hur
riedly, much astonished at himself
and leaving Miss Lola La Farge alias
Lizzy Hlukle. equally astounded,
though not bo much at what had hap
pened, as at her own lack of any
proper distress and regret. . . .
As for Hill, be wandered oil toward
the river.
When noon camo, ho stopped at a
dairy, and obtaining milk and dough
nuts, sat down (by permission of the
proprietor) upon the door sill of that
exit which led Into the back yard, and
the two men fell Into conversation.
Suddenly thero came a crash from the
shop behind them, and they rushed In,
compllshlng the loading of Borne vessel
that must sail at dawn. Whichever
lies before ono, the darkness or the In
ferno of light and noise, it Is a won
derful picture; one to arrest the ob
server with Its vast suggestive quality
and arouse the deslro to linger and
watch.
Hill thought of this when he came
out from ono of the low saloons Into
the tingling cold of night, and saw the I
strange panorama that molted away
on either hand.
Presently they reached a small cov
ered dock where a greenish light was
burning, in the glow of which some
score of men were at work, loading
great cases Into the hold of a small
third or fourth rato steamer.
Thero seemed to be curiously little
disorder or excitement in connection
with thin embarkment, a fact which
"Sit
Down!'
Just quickly enough to see Mr. Jones, soon Impressed Itself upon Hill's mind.
who had overturned the protecting
glass caso, waddling off Into the street,
his paws lilled with comb-honey which
he had stolen from the counter.
"Stop, thief!" yelled the dairyman.
"Shut up, you'll collect a crowd!"
yelled Hill. "Hero, Jonesy! Here,
Jnnnsy! come back, you villain, sir!"
Hi! stop him, stop him!" shouted
the dairyman, dancing upon the door
sill, but maklug no effort to run after
and Interfere with Mr. Jones.
Keep quiet! Cut it out!" said Hill
to the dairyman roughly. "Here's all
the money I've got. I'm sorry the case
got smashed, but arresting me won't
do a bit of good. I'll send you more
money later."
With which he rushed out after his
animal, leaving the little milk-seller
still dancing for rage upon tho door
sill, his white apron fluttering In the
wind.
At the street corner sat Mr. Jones,
busily engaged In consuming his stolon
weets. With great difficulty he was
persuaded to part with some of the re-
7 lllifilrl!
Leaned Very Far Over the Counter.
malnder, which a watchful urchin In
stantly seized upon and ran off with,
followed by most of tho little crowd;
and the bear, dropping upon all fours,
submitted to being chained to his mas
ter, aud off they went toward the
river, leaving a sticky trail upon the
pavements as they passed.
A gradual progress brought him to
Riverside drive, and he had by then
collected over a dollar. That was
very little, remaps tne children of
the rich would pay.
Along the steep embankment he
parade! his bear, and drew crowd
after crowd of laughing youngsters,
but the returns were small. A ferry
boat scuttled Into dock, and the as
phalt walk bringing him, on an abrupt
turn, to the landing's very gate, he fol
lowed an Impulse (and the bear) and
stepped aboard.
'I shall go to Jersey City," said he,
"and buy a postal card."
It proved a profitable trip, for the
passengers gathered about Mr. Jones
delightedly, and when the hat was
passed (the bear did It) another dollar
had boon gained. Then tho farther
shore was renched, and the painter
scrambled up the steep roadway to tho
top of the cliffs.
Nor did the men appear to bo In any
particular hurry. Thou a question ob
truded Itself. If they were not rushod.
why did they work so Into at night? It
was rather odd. Tho cargo was odd,
too. From tho size, shape and weight
of the wooden cases of which it prin
cipally consisted, the shipment was
evidently composed of pianos. Where
on earth could so many pianos bo go
ing to? With a little effort he remem
bered the sign at the entrance to the
dock "Tho Venezuela Fruit Steam
ship company." Ah, that accounted
for It! Of courso, It was only reason
able to suppose that Venezuela turned
out very fow pianos, If any. How
quaint, though! He began to muse
upon the melodious consignment, and,
therefore, to observe the cases more
closely. How odd that they should be
put aboard at night!
A man who had been directing the
work, his back toward Hill, now turned
about so that the light shone full upon
his face, and at the sight of It Sam
gave an Involuntary cry of recognition,
which, however, was lost In the gen
eral noise. It was Rowe! The mem
ory of tholr last meeting, and of Old
Nlta, came to him in a flash, and his
hands clonched ominously. Here, per
haps, was a chanco for retaliation!
Hut before he could act on the Im
pulse, several things happened all at
once.
A piano case, which was being low
ered from a truck, was allowed to drop
In such a way that It split open. From
the aperture several objects fell out
upon the pier. They were rifles! Field
rifles, new and shining!
With a snort of amazement Sam
sprang forward, and at that sume In
stant he felt himself seized upon either
shoulder. Looking around, he saw that
he was captive between two huge long
shoremen, who proceeded to propel
blm toward the Bhlp. As thoy came
up with Rowe, who was cursing
roundly, but bad already managed to
get the rifles out of Bight, one of the
ruffians called out: "Here's a detect
ive, mister, disguised as a dago. Wo
caught him spying Just before tbo case
broke."
With an oath, Rowe whipped around,
and for a niomont the two men stood
glaring at each other.
"Take him aboard," said Rowo,
breathing hard. "Captain's room. I'll
be there directly."
"What the devil . . ." began Hill
furiously. Hut he was cut short by j
aud I suppose you are chortling at hav
Ing caught us 'with the goods' as you
Americans say."
"I haven't caught you at anything,
so far as I know, except striking a tot
tering old woman!" responded Hill.
"And, by God! I'm going to make you
smart for that! As for being a secret
service man you are all wrong.
there!"
Taugh!" exclaimed Rowe. flushing
angrily, "what's the use of bluffing?
W hy don't you make a show of arrest
Ing ub?"
look nere: - exclaimed Hill, re"
strained from assnultlng the man only
by the sight of the gun that the other
was still caressing. "Ixiok here, you
can I keep me liko this, you know
I'm not a detective, and I don't even
know what the dovll you are making
all this fuss about."
At this all the other men shouted
with laughter. Rowe loaned over the
tablo, an evil leer on his cunning face.
"No detective! ha! ha!" Bald he,
"You don't really expect us to swallow
that, do you? Why, next thing you'll
be telling us that you didn't know It
was contraband to take arms out of
the country, eh ?"
Hill Bat back, shocked Into momeu
tary silence.
"I did not know It," ho said simply.
The quiet that followed these Ave
cleur-cut words was charged with elec
tricity, men, 1100, 11 is race very
white, his eyes fixed upon Hill, rose to
his feet.
"Hy Ood! I believe you are speaking
the truth!" ho said at length.
"That's one Joko on you, Rlcardo,
saiu 1110 utile spanisii otiiier with a
short mirthless laugh.
"Well, ho knows It now, If ho didn't
before!" put In ono of the longshore
men.
Hill said nettling at nil, but sat star
Ing at tho group In wonderment. What
on enrth did It all moan?
"That's true. You needn't Inform
mo of It," said Rowe bitterly, "and de
tective or not, hoil inform now If we
let him go. Hut he's a service man, all
right," he added, his confidence in
himself returning. "Wasn't he up at
Mlkey's? Hell, something must be
done with him; and something will be
dono, never fear! I will get.the Benor
chief, and be shall help us decide the
matter."
The little officer nodded, and Rowe,
slipping out of the cabin, closed the
door behind him. In silence they wait
ed, while a thousand conjectures
whirled through Hill's brain.. What
had ho stumbled upon?
In a moment more, footsteps were
beard outsldo In the passage. The door
handle grated, and Hill, bracing him
self for whatever was to come, swung
about and found hlmBelf face to face
with Iris' father, Hon. Reginald Van
derpool millionaire asphalt king.
(TO flE CONTINUED.)
Two German aviators dropped 20
bombs Into I 'aria, killing three civilians
aud wounding 14 others. London is
expecting a similar aerial assault.
French olllclal reports announce
that the Allies are holding their posi
tions along the lengthy battlo line In
France. The Germans have delivered
a vigorous attack on the right, bank of
the Alsne River.
The Germans have renewed their
night attacks between Craonne and
Rhelms.
The Germans aro reported to be ad
vancing swiftly toward Ostend with
the object of making the King and gov
ernment officials of Belgium prisoners.
Cholera is spreading throughout
Austria-Hungary, the new rases ave
raging 40 dally.
The Germans are using a new type
of aerial bomb. The German anti
airship guns are very effective.
I'rlnee August Wllhelm, fourth son
of the German Emperor, was ayiiong
the first of the German officers to enter
the Antwerp formications.
There are 600,000 Belgian refugees
In Holland.
French military officials believe the
fall of Antwerp will prolong the war
and that the forts will form the base
for Zeppelin attacks against England.
The big guns which the Germans
used In tho reduction of Antwerp have
already been started off for some un
known destination in France.
Reports from ('ettlnje say the
Montenegrins defeated the Auatrians
In a big battle, Inflicting losses of over
1,500 men.
Because of the mine fields In the
Adriatic Sea all trafUc has been
stopped.
The Japanese are reported to be col
lecting a large quantity of siege gun
ammunition, preparing for a final as
sault on Tslng-Tau.
Japanese warships are reported to
have silenced litis fort and Japanese
aviators dropped bombs over Taing-
Tau.
BELGRADE HALF IN RUINS.
Servians Are Still Defendino. Their
Ruined Capital.
Rome. The situation In Belgrade,
Servia. Is such as to catme at once
astonishment, pity and admiration, re
cording to a man who has Just arrived
here from the Serglnn capital. He said
that after 11 weeks', bombardment by
the Austrians the defenders of Bel
grade still bravely resist, although half
tho city has been destroyed.
The tobacco factory has been razed,
the Alcalay Paper Factory burned and
many other establishments torn to
pieces, according to this witness. The
Ofllcers' Club, the Montenegrin lega
tion and tho Hotel Moscow are among
buildings which have been damaged
gravely. The beautiful street of King
Michael, In which aro located the
Franco-Servian Bank, the university
and a church, has been so reduced by
fire and cannon shells that It Is hardly
recognizable.
RUSSIA ON OFFENSIVE.
Czar's Troops Tired Of Waiting For
Germans To Attack.
At the front at WIrballen, Russian
roland, via The Hague and London.
The Russians finally have decided to
take the offensive. The Germans here
tofore have often complained that the
enemy, though twice stronger numeric
ally, refused to leave their trenches,
but for the last three nights the Rus
sians have attacked along tho entire
front, extending 60 miles from about
Wllkowyszkl, north of Augustowo, to
a point below Lyck, East I'russ'.a. The
attacks were repulsed, however, the
Russians losing heavily, while the Ger
man losseB were light.
DENIES PEACE MOVE.
Acting Secretary Lansing Makes Flat
Statement.
Washington, 1). C Acting Secretary
of State Lansing denounced as with
out any foundation reports that this
Government was offering new media
tion proposals to warring European
nations. Mr. Lansing asserted that all
such reports, unless given out from
official sources, should be regarded as
Inventions of persons with ulterior
motives.
FORTUGAL MAY ENTER.
Will
CALLS FOR MUCH DEXTERITY
Chakri-Throwlng Might Well Be Con
sidered at an Art Rather
Than a Pastime.
In front of the mausoleum of a holy
saint Mohamed Ohous a fair la held
annually on the outskirts of Gwallor
(India) town, about tho middle of the
rainy Benson. The most noticeable fea
ture of the fuir Is the chnkri-throw. A
chnkrl Is a piece of Iron something
like a spindle, over which a long piece
of string or thread is rolled. The
player throws high Into tho nlr the
Iron chakrl (literally a roll), holding
one end of tho string In his hnud, and
gives It a swing nnd Jerk In such a
clever manner that the chakrl, on
coining down, rolls up the thread
again on Itself, and Is caught In the
bands of the thrower. The art has
been dexterously practiced by a cIrm
of peoplo for ages past, and Borne
members are bo renowned that they
cut a good figure at the scene. It Is
most Interesting to watch the thrower
fling the chakrl up high, catch It In his
hands on return and continue sending
It up agalp and again till the rope be
comes as high ae seventy feet above1
the ground. There la absolutely nd
spring or lever attachment In th
chakrl. Nabbo Is the chum plod
thrower.
London Hears That Declaration
Be Against Germany.
London. In a dispatch from
Amsterdam, tho correspondent of the
Exchange Telegraph Company says
that the Bureau Welnzehr, a semloffl-
clal news agency, asserts that a
declaration of war on Germany by
Portugal is expected in Berlin at any
moment.
BERLIN REPORTS PROGRESS.
But Military Writer Warns Against
Undue Optimism.
Berlin, via Loudon. It Is officially
announced that the Germans continue
to make progress at Antwerp and that
they are olready over the flooded area
along the River Nethe. A writer In
the Milltalr-Wochenblatt, however,
warned tho people asalnst an exces
sive optlmUm regarding Antwerp, as
the garrison of the fortress there Js
Mtill nh'p to continue a desperate re
slstai're.