Part 8 (1/2)
Armitage replied over his shoulder.
”You go along, Joe, and leave this to me. I saw this man trying to talk to that Russian Prince--and he's employed on confidential work in the shops.”
”I know, Jack,” said Thornton soothingly, placing his hand on Armitage's shoulder. ”But it is n't policy to get into a street fight about it, you know, old chap.”
”It wouldn't be a fight,” began Armitage sneeringly. He turned suddenly toward Yeasky. ”I have been pestered and worried for a week now. I know I was shadowed in New York. Now that I 've a clue I am not going to let go of it.”
”Of course not,” said Thornton, ”but you don't want to go off half c.o.c.ked. Remember you were up all last night. Just heave to a second.
Has anything happened at the shops?”
”No,” said Armitage, cooling a bit, ”not that I know of. But this fellow's doing inside work here on the torpedo and I saw him talking to that Russian.”
”Talking?”
”I mean he tried to. He says he thought the man was Harris, and he wanted to ask him about some coils. That was too fishy for me.”
”Did the Prince talk to him?”
”No; snubbed, ignored him.”
”Oh,” smiled Thornton. ”Well, I say, Jack, honestly I think you might be wrong. Harris does suggest that Prince chap; I thought so in church. Of course you can decide about this fellow's future in the shops, as you think best. But you really can't do anything here.”
”I suppose you are right,” said Armitage reluctantly. He nodded toward the man.
”Yeasky, if you are straight, meet me at the storekeeper's office at three o'clock this afternoon. I hope by that hour to be in a position to apologize to you. In the meantime,” his good nature, as with all persons of warm temperament, speedily returning, ”if I have wronged you, I am sorry.”
”You have wronged me,” replied Yeasky. ”But I understand your feelings. I shall certainly meet you at three o'clock.”
”Three, sharp.” And Armitage, with Thornton's arm drawn through his, walked down the street.
Yeasky stood watching them for a second and then clapping his hand to his pocket a smile spread slowly over his face. He followed the two stalwart officers for a few steps and paused irresolutely. Then, without further hesitancy, he walked rapidly to Spring Street and thence to the Hotel Aquidneck, where he entered the telephone booth.
When he emerged he paid toll on five charges.
This done he went into the writing-room and called for a small piece of wrapping paper and twine. When it came he took from his pocket a bulky, heavy object, done up in a newspaper. Without removing this, he wrapped it neatly in the manila paper, bound it securely, and addressed it in printed letters. He sat for a moment looking thoughtfully at the package. Then he drew a sheet of note paper toward him, cut off the hotel heading and dipped his pen in the ink.
He began:
Va.s.sili Andreyvitch, I am sending you by messenger as you instructed over the telephone, the vital part. There is nothing more to do and I leave Newport this hour, for excellent reasons. I was seen trying to address you this morning, so watch out.
Yeasky read this last sentence again and then the thought that he would be confirmed as a bungler in his superior's mind occurred to him. He inked out the sentence, muttering that Koltsoff must take care of himself, as he had had to do, and then resumed his writing.
When you get this I shall be in parts unknown. I begin to fear I am suspect. You can reach me care of Garlock, Boston, to-night, and Blavatsky, Halifax, on Wednesday. On that day I go via the Dominion Line to England and thence to the secret police office in St.
Petersburg. Forgive, I pray, this haste, but I have done all there is to be done. I accept your congratulations--and now having no desire to pose as the centre of a diplomatic situation, I go--Au Revoir.
He called a messenger, despatched the package and the letter, and within half an hour was in a trolley car bound for Fall River.