The Port of Missing Men

es sought t

love the we

the Last

ther out of your way to seek a ship at Liverpool unless you expect to gain some particular advantage in doing so. Mr. John Armitage hurried thither in the most breathless haste to catch the King Edward, whereas he might have taken the Toura

r brother, were on deck watching the shipping in th

wholly sure that we shan't find him at the dock in New York. And that mysterious Armitage, who spent so much railway fare following us about, and who almost bought you a watch in Geneva, rea

y believe it is the Tecumseh. What on

direction of the American flag displayed

t their sea legs they will resume charge of you, and let me look up two or three very presentable specimens of your

you, Ca

any titled black

wicked things to them, w

k God, I'm a

rthy sentime

wers. I'd like to lead a regiment right through the most sacred precincts of London; or take an early morning gallop through Berlin to wake up the Dutch. All this talk about hands across the sea and such rot make

onfession to make. Please don't indulge in great oaths or stamp a

e's been pestering father to help him

when I get home. They're orchids-from London-but-w

k hung heavily on the rail

chard-in such quantities. Now, you really didn't disapprove of him so much, did you? This

lways turning up, like bad pennies, or a

, if you shou

stop following us about, and if

azard," mocked Shirley, turning and leaning against the rail so tha

ose eyes were upon a trim yacht tha

,"-and she took hold of his arm entreatingly-"for there he is-as tall and myster

oment later when they had shaken hands. "I finish

resentment of his presence on board. He knew perfectly well that his acquaintance with the Claibornes was too slight to be severely strained, particularly where a f

n's table, and Dick found him late at night in the smoking-saloo

are fortunate; I always sit up the first night to mak

ide, had brandy and s

rne a

-morrow. My father and mother hate the sea particularly and have retired

were silent for several minutes while a big Russian, who was talking politics in a distant corner wi

il. And there was something altogether likable in Armitage; his very composure was attractive to Claiborne; and the bold lines of his figure were not wasted on the young officer. In the silence, while they smoked, he noted the perfect taste that marked Armitage's belongings, which to him meant more, perhaps, than the steadiness of

ily of distinction; the father was an American diplomat and lawyer of wide reputation; the family stood for the best of which America i

and bent toward Claiborne, s

previously at Venice, Borne, Florence, Paris, Berlin. I certainly saw you! I shall not deny that I intentionall

holly serious and compelled respect. Claiborne nodded and threw away his cig

f persons who are not properly vouched for. Except for Singleton yo

creeping into his cheeks consciously

hat I am, for I am not on the King Edward by accident but by inten

iled in spit

care to hear any more; by listening I seem to be encouraging you

d severely; but Armitage

in Nebraska. At the Bronx Loan and Trust Company in New York I have securities to a considerable amount,-I am perfectly willing that any one who is at all interested should inquire of the Trust Company officers as to my standing with them. If I were asked to state my occupation I should have to s

cter of his investments. But it was not so easy to turn aside a fellow who was so big of frame and apparently so sane and so steady of purpose as this Armitage. And there was, too, the further consideration that while Armitage was volunteering gratuitous information, and assuming an interest in his affairs by the Claibornes that was wholly unjustified, there was also

Armitage had volunteered considerable information without at all ans

sked, "but are yo

ca that I feel as much at home there as anywhere-but I am ne

ensible of an intensification of interest; now at last

that that fact makes me a Frenchman. My mother is dead. My father died-very recently. I have been in America enough to know that a forei

pite of himself, he found much to like in John Armitage. He particularly despised sham and pret

the habit of talking so much about myself-and if you wi

Dick; "and," he added, "I can not d

edge that greatly surprised and interested the young officer; and when they separated presentl

d that he had acted wisely in speaking to Captain Claiborne; but he had, at any rate, eased in some degree his own conscie