The Cruise of the Thetis | Page 6

otherwise
you could not have observed his strong general resemblance to the
person whom you are so anxious to meet--will you permit me to
suggest that obviously the proper thing for you to have done was to
accost him when the opportunity presented itself to you, instead of
following me. Before I answer your question I am afraid I must ask you
to favour me with your card, as a guarantee of your bona fides, you
know."
"Certainly," answered the stranger unhesitatingly, as he felt in the
breast pocket of his coat for his card-case. His search, however, proved
ineffectual, or at least no card-case was produced; and presently, with
an air of great vexation, he exclaimed:
"Alas! sir, I regret to say that I appear to have lost or mislaid my
card-case, for I certainly have not it with me. My name, however, is--
Mackintosh," with just the slightest perceptible hesitation.

"Mackintosh!" exclaimed Jack with enthusiasm; "surely not one of the
Mackintoshes of Inveraray?"
"Certainly, my dear sir," answered the stranger effusively. "You have
no doubt heard of us, and know us to be eminently respectable?"
"Never heard of you before," answered Jack, with a chuckle. "Good-
morning, Mr Mackintosh!" And with a somewhat ironical bow he left
the stranger gaping with astonishment.
"Now, what is the meaning of this, and what does Mr--Mackintosh--of
Inveraray--want with Carlos, I wonder?" mused the young man, as he
strode off across the Park. He considered the matter carefully for a few
minutes, and presently snapped his fingers as he felt that he had solved
the puzzle.
"I don't believe he is in the least anxious to obtain Montijo's address,"
he mused, "otherwise he would have followed Carlos--not me! But I
suspect that he has been quietly dogging Carlos, with a view to
discovering what friends he and his father make here in England; and,
having seen Carlos and me together for some hours to-day, he was
desirous of obtaining an opportunity to become acquainted with my
features and general appearance. Shouldn't wonder if he follows me up
and tries to discover where I live--yes, there the beggar is, obviously
following me! Very well, I have no objection; on the contrary, the task
of dodging him will add a new zest to life. And I'll give him a good run
for his money!"
And therewith Jack, who had thus far been sauntering very quietly
along, suddenly stepped out at his smartest pace, and was greatly
amused to observe the anxiety which the stranger evinced to keep up
with him. Out through the gate by the corner of Stafford House grounds
strode Jack, across the Mall, through the gate into Saint James's Park,
and along the path leading to the bridge, where he stopped, ostensibly
to watch some children feeding the ducks, but really to see what the
stranger would do. Then on again the moment that the latter also
stopped, on past the drinking fountain and through the gate, across
Birdcage Walk, and so into Queen Anne's Gate, a little way along York

Street, then to the left and through into Victoria Street, across the road,
and into the main entrance of the Army and Navy Stores. As he ran up
the steps he glanced over his shoulder and saw his pursuer frantically
striving to dodge between a 'bus and a hansom cab and still to keep his
eyes on Jack, who passed in through the heavy swing doors, through
the grocery department, sharp round to the right through the
accountant's office into the perfumery department, and so out into
Victoria Street again, making sure, as he passed out, that he had baffled
his pursuer. Turning to the left, Jack then walked a little way down the
street towards Victoria Station until he saw a Camden Town 'bus
coming up, when he quietly crossed the road, boarded the 'bus, and ten
minutes later stepped off it again as it pulled up at its stopping-place at
the corner of Trafalgar Square. Jack now looked carefully round once
more, to make quite sure that he had thrown "Mr Mackintosh" off the
scent, satisfied himself that the individual in question was nowhere in
sight, and entered his hotel.
CHAPTER TWO.
LIEUTENANT MILSOM, R.N.
The evening was fine, and the distance not far from Morley's to the
Cecil; Jack therefore did not trouble to take a cab, but, slipping on a
light dust-coat over his evening dress, set out to walk down the Strand
on his way to dine with his friend. As he went his thoughts were
dwelling upon the incident of his afternoon encounter with the
mysterious "Mr Mackintosh, of Inveraray"; and he decided that he
would let Carlos and his father know that someone appeared to be
taking rather a marked interest in them and their