The Young Wireless Operator—With the U. S. Secret Service: Winning his way in the Secret ServiceTheiss, Lewis E. (Lewis Edwin)
General
The Young Wireless Operator—With the U. S. Secret Service: Winning his way in the Secret Service
Theiss, Lewis E. (Lewis Edwin)
Radio -- Juvenile fiction; Secret service -- United States -- Juvenile fiction
But what instantly riveted Willie’s attention was the expression on
the man’s face. The shining eyes gave an impression of almost
uncanny penetration. The nose was of good size, and slightly hooked.
Coupled with the mouth, which was as straight as a slit and as tight
as a steel trap, it indicated unusual force of character. The mouth
itself was as hard as the diamond that glittered beneath it. It was
pitiless. Everything about the man’s make-up indicated a cold, hard,
selfish, unscrupulous, and able nature. As Willie moved about in the
throng, studying the man’s face, now from one point and now from
another, he became more and more certain that the man was not only
utterly unscrupulous, but also daring to a high degree and clever
beyond belief.
With every moment the excitement on the boat increased. The
detention at Quarantine had been brief, and the great ship was now
close to her pier. Every one was making a final collection of wraps
and hand baggage and saying good-bye to shipmates. Stewards and
cabin boys were bustling about more busily than ever, with bags,
suit cases and other hand luggage. As the ship drew close to the
pier, Simonski pushed his way roughly toward the gangway. A cabin
boy followed hard on his heels with his umbrella and bag. While they
waited for the gangplank to be swung into place, Simonski drew forth
a huge roll of bills, and peeling two of them from the outside of
the roll, ostentatiously handed them to the lad with the bag.
Evidently he had used his money to good effect in other quarters as
well, for among the few trunks that had been hoisted to the deck,
for quick delivery ashore, was a steamer trunk that Simonski now
pointed out to the cabin boy. It bore a label marked with the letter
S.
“You stick close to that trunk,” said Simonski. “I’ll get an
inspector at once and bring him to the trunk. I want to get my stuff
passed as quickly as possible. I don’t want to have to hunt for you
and my bag when I’m ready to go. Understand?”
Simonski shoved his way closer to the gangway, and was one of the
very first persons to set foot on the pier. He went directly to the
line of inspectors waiting at their desks. His paper was taken by an
inspector, who glanced at the paper and then at Simonski. Willie was
close by. He saw by the inspector’s look that he knew he had before
him the man they had been warned to watch. The inspector’s lips set
hard. Willie fancied he saw an answering glitter in the eyes of
Simonski. But the traveler was as cool as ice.
“Everything is correct on this declaration, is it?” asked the
inspector.
“Absolutely,” replied Simonski.
“Then sign here,” said the inspector, indicating the place for the
signature.
Simonski’s hand was as steady as Gibraltar as he slowly and
carefully put his signature to the paper.
“We’ll have a look at your baggage,” said the inspector, leading the
way to the S section, where Simonski’s trunk and the faithful cabin
boy were waiting.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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