The Dark Star

The captain of the Volhynia had just come from the bridge and was

taking a bite of late supper in his cabin when the orderly announced

Neeland. He rose at once, offering a friendly hand:

"Mr. Neeland, I am very glad to see you. I know you by name and

reputation already. There were some excellent pictures by you in the

latest number of the Midweek Magazine."

"I'm so glad you liked them, Captain West."

"Yes, I did. There was a breeze in them--a gaiety. And such a fetching

girl you drew for your heroine!"

"You think so! It's rather interesting. I met a young girl once--she

comes from up-state where I come from. There was a peculiar and rather

subtle attraction about her face. So I altered the features of the

study I was making from my model, and put in hers as I remembered

them."

"She must be beautiful, Mr. Neeland."

"It hadn't struck me so until I drew her from memory. And there's more

to the story. I never met her but twice in my life--the second time

under exceedingly dramatic circumstances. And now I'm crossing the

Atlantic at a day's notice to oblige her. It's an amusing story, isn't

it?"

"Mr. Neeland, I think it is going to be what you call a 'continued'

story."

"No. Oh, no. It ought to be, considering its elements. But it isn't.

There's no further romance in it, Captain West."

The captain's smile was pleasant but sceptical.

They seated themselves, Neeland declining an invitation to supper, and

the captain asking his indulgence if he talked while eating.

"Mr. Neeland," he said, "I'm about to talk rather frankly with you. I

have had several messages by wireless today from British sources,

concerning you."

Neeland, surprised, said nothing. Captain West finished his bite of

supper; the steward removed the dishes and went out, closing the door.

The captain glanced at the box which Neeland had set on the floor by

his chair.

"May I ask," he said, "why you brought your suitcase with you?"

"It's valuable."

The captain's keen eyes were on his.

"Why are you followed by spies?" he asked.

Neeland reddened.

"Yes," continued the captain of the Volhynia, "my Government

instructs me, by wireless, to offer you any aid and protection you may

desire. I am informed that you carry papers of military importance to

a certain foreign nation with which neither England nor France are on

what might be called cordial terms. I am told it is likely that agents

of this foreign country have followed you aboard my ship for the

purpose of robbing you of these papers. Now, Mr. Neeland, what do you

know about this business?"