and, well kept though it
appeared, had known hard work, and that the long supple fingers were such
as might guide a tiller fearlessly or set a flag daringly upon a
fire-swept parapet.

Armitage was thinking rapidly of something he had suddenly resolved to
say to Captain Claiborne. He knew that the Claibornes were a family of
distinction; the father was an American diplomat and lawyer of wide
reputation; the family stood for the best of which America is capable,
and they were homeward bound to the American capital where their social
position and the father's fame made them conspicuous.

Armitage put down his cigar and bent toward Claiborne, speaking with
quiet directness.

"Captain Claiborne, I was introduced to you at Geneva by Mr. Singleton.
You may have observed me several times previously at Venice, Borne,
Florence, Paris, Berlin. I certainly saw you! I shall not deny that I
intentionally followed you, nor"--John Armitage smiled, then grew grave
again--"can I make any adequate apology for doing so."

Claiborne looked at Armitage wonderingly. The man's attitude and tone
were wholly serious and compelled respect. Claiborne nodded and threw
away his cigar that he might give his whole attention to what Armitage
might have to say.

"A man does not like to have his sister forming the acquaintances of
persons who are not properly vouched for. Except for Singleton you know
nothing of me; and Singleton knows very little of me, indeed."

Claiborne nodded. He felt the color creeping into his cheeks consciously
as Armitage touched upon this matter.

"I speak to you as I do because it is your right to know who and what I
am, for I am not on the _King Edward_ by accident but by intention, and I
am going to Washington because your sister lives there."

Claiborne smiled in spite of himself.

"But, my dear sir, this is most extraordinary! I don't know that I care
to hear any more; by listening I seem to be encouraging you to follow
us--it's altogether too unusual. It's almost preposterous!"

And Dick Claiborne frowned severely; but Armitage still met his eyes
gravely.

"It's only decent for a man to give his references when it's natural for
them to be required. I was educated at Trinity College, Toronto. I spent
a year at the Harvard Law School. And I am not a beggar utterly. I own a
ranch in Montana that actually pays and a thousand acres of the best
wheat land in Nebraska. At the Bronx Loan and Trust Company in New Yor