for a few minutes. She is interested
in this shanghaing of Mr. Farnum."

Dunn's black gimlet eyes searched Beauchamp's face.

"All right. Glad to see her." Dunn's story was being transferred to his
pocket as he rose.

He followed his guide to the ladies' writing room. A slender young
woman was standing in front of the bookcase. She turned as they entered.
Beauchamp introduced the reporter to her, but Dunn failed to catch the
name of this rather remarkable looking young lady.

"You are to write the story of Mr. Farnum's adventure?" she asked.

The reporter's eyes narrowed very slightly. "What story?"

"The account of the shanghaing. Oh, I know all about it. Have you all
the facts?"

"I'll be glad to hear what you know, Miss--"

She answered his hesitation by mentioning her name.

Dunn grew more wary. "Miss Alice Frome, daughter of Senator Frome?"

"Yes."

"Anything you have to say I'll be pleased to hear, Miss Frome."

To his surprise she broke through the hedge of reserve he had withdrawn
behind.

"You distrust me. You think because I'm Senator Frome's daughter that I
must be against Mr. Farnum. Is that it?"

"I didn't say that," he sparred.

"I'm not against him. It's because I'm anxious to see him win that I
want to be sure he has given you the whole story."

"Why shouldn't he give me the whole story?"

"Because he isn't the kind to boast. Did he tell you about the sharks?"

"Or how Miss Frome helped pull him aboard just in time to save him from
the crimps?"

The reporter's eyes gleamed. "What's that?" he snapped quickly.

"And all about the race from the schooner to the _Bellingham,_ It was
the most exciting thing I ever saw."

"Great guns! What's the matter with Jeff Farnum? He didn't say a word
about that--missed the cream of the story."

Alice smiled. "I thought perhaps he might have."

"He said he saw a chance to swim across to the _Bellingham._ That made
a pretty good story. But sharks--and the shanghaiers chasing him--and
a young lady helping to haul him aboard to safety--and that young lady
Miss Alice Frome! Say, this is the biggest story that ever broke in
Verden. If I fall down on it I'm a dead one sure enough."

"You think it will help Mr. Farnum's fight for his bill?"

"Help it. Say, I'd give fifty dollars to see James K. Farnum's face when
he reads the _World_ tomorrow morning. The town will go right up in
the air. Hundreds of telegrams are going to pour in to members of the