The Illustrious Prince

violent character. After several hours of doubt, the final verdict had at last been pronounced. They had missed the tide, and no attempt was to be made to land passengers that night

into the sky. A man who had formed one of the long line of passengers, leaning over the rail, watching the tug since it had come into sight, now turned away and walked bris

should be glad if you would glan

discussion with the pilot and was not in t

now?" h

the quiet answer. "

u?" the cap

ship, although my name does not appear in the list. That note has been in my pocket si

open the envelope and moving a little nearer the e

did not land her pas

mined the signature carefully,

he asked, looking into his compa

" was the b

Fynes, the Mr. Hamilton Fyn

" the passen

ptain

own on the lower deck, port side. By t

e alone,"

clared. "Don't tell any one that you

sir," the other answere

u can't take your luggage wi

red. "I will leave instructions for my trunk to be sent on after

alf a dozen sailors, dragging a rope ladder. The little tug came screaming around, and before any of the passengers on the deck above had any idea of what w

ment's delay. A very brief examination of the interior convinced him that he was indeed alone. Thereupon he seated himself with his back to the wall and his face to the door, and finding an English n

himself that there was no one around who was taking a noticeable interest in his movements. Having satisfied himself at length upon this point, he made his way to the London and North Western Railway Station, and knocked at the door of the station-master's offic

d, merely glancing up from the desk at which h

m from the interior of the office. Before he spoke, he glanced aroun

ossible," he announced. "I should be glad if you cou

master rose

clared a little brusquely. "Ab

t of the question?" Mr.

n the second place, even if you were willing to pay that sum, it would be at least two hours before I could start you off. We c

east pocket, and which was, in appearance, very similar to the one whi

he said. "I am perfectly willing to

e manner of the captain of the Lusitania had done. He took the letter over to his green-shaded writing lamp, and examined the signature carefully.

ynes," he said, lifting the flap of the counter and coming ou

ynes answered; "I will walk

get you off in less than half an hour. We will do our best, at any rate. It's an awkward time just now to command an absolutely cl

the intending p

lean-shaven, with good but undistinguished features, dark eyes, very clear and very bright, which showed, indeed, but little need of the pince-nez which hung by a thin black cord from his neck. His hat, low in the crown and of soft gray felt, would alone have betrayed his nationality. His clothes, however, were also American in cut. His boots were narrow and of unmistakable shape. He ate his sandwich with suspicion, and after his first sip of coffee ordere

"It's exactly twenty-two minutes since you came into the office, and there she is. Finest engine we've

ure that my friends on the other side will appreciate your att

aster glanced

my orders down the line are properly attended to

ok his seat in the car. He had previousl

he asked. "There is no other passenger, fo

ld be entirely against the regulations. There are five of you, all t

es nodded, and a

age, sir?" th

amer," Mr. Hamilton Fynes explained. "I could not very well expect them t

ard, sir, if you should be wanting anything," the station-mast

s nodded

-master!" he said. "