Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

f t5he Ho Had Cast ( 1 CHAPTER XTII. f Mn. GRAHAM'S congratulations t next uiornlng quite over- > whelmed nie. i "I never expected such coat- ( plete anil speedy success. Mr. Lester," i he said warmly. "You've done splen- P did work." I printed out to him thut, after all. * my success was purely the result of acHad I beeu really clever 1 | fP) should have instantly suspected what that sudden seizure on the station pintlAm * -* *-* 1 " w>ui iucuui. ? Bnuuiu unve uurrien back to the scene and followed Martlguy?as I still called him In my thoughts?to the hospital on the chance of securing his first address. Instead of which, If chance had not befriended me. I should have been as far as ever from a solution of the mystery. I trembled to think upon what a slender thread my victory had hung. But my chief would not listen. He declared that a man must be Judged by his achievements and that he judged me by mine. "Let us flud out how our friend la," _ I said at last, so the hospital was called up. We were Informed that the patient was stronger, but would not be able to leave his bed for two or threo days. "The Jourdalns may tell him of my call," I said. "They'll suspect sotne. thlug when I doit't return today, j-et . they may wait for me a day or two Ion- | ger?they have my money?and one day Is all I want. It's just possible that they may keep silent altogether. They have nothing to gain by speaking?It's plain that they're not In the conspiracy. Anyway, tomorrow I'll be out of reach." Mr. Graham nodded. "Yes?that's plainly the next step, a ivl' mum luuijvv uicui 10 i' ranee?out i ~ where in France will you look for j 1 them? I didn't think of that before*. | 8 Why, tho search is Ju t beginning! I thought it impossible to accomplish 1 * what you have accomplished, but that * scc:us easy uow beside this new prob- 8 leiu." 1 Yes," I assented. "Still It may not J be so hard as it 1 >oks. We must try ^ to Had out where the women have 8 go? e, and I believe Ilogers can help us. * M.v theory Is that they're from one of A the towns which tlie Ilollndays visited when they were abroad, and Mr. LIol- v laday mart have kqpt in touch with 8 his otllce, more or lass, during that time." My chief sprang u;> aud seized his 1 hnt. . ^ "The very thing!" lie crlei. "There's ' ^ no luel: about that lilt of reasoning. ^ Mr. Lester. Come, 1*1! go with you." 3 o "Only," I added a.s we went down to- t getlior, "I very niucb fear that the search will lead to Paris, for Marti gay , is undoubtedly a Parisian/' r "And to find a person in Paris"? . 1 did not answer. I only shut- my teetli together and told myself for the hundredth time that I n.ust not fail. ^ Rogers had been carrying on the ^ routine wv.of tho business since Ids ^ employer'a death and was supervising the settlement of accounts and the thousand and one details which must ^ be attended to I afore the Lr.rinoss ^ could be closed up. We found liirn in the private office ami stated our errand ^ without delay. v "Yea." he said, "Mr. lioihiday kept in touch with the odlce, of course. Lei me see- What was the date?" ^ "Let us look for tho lirst six months fl of 1870," I suggested. f lie got down the flic covering that v locriod and ran through tho letters. "Yes, here they are," he said after a moment. "In January, lie writes from c Nice, where they seem to have re- t mniued during February and March. About the middle of April they started j north ?here's a letter dute.l Paris, Anril 10?and from Paris tlicv went to _ a place called Etretat. They remained there through May, June uud July. That Is all the time covered by this . .. file. Shall I get another?" "No," I answered, "but 1 wish you'd mntyt an abstract of Mr. Holladay's whereabouts during the whole time he was abroad and send it to our offlce not later than this afternoon." t ."Very well, sir," he said, and we t left the room. ? "But why didn't you let him go far- f ther?" asked Mr. Graham as we left the building. r "Because I think I've found the place, sir," I answered. "Did you n notice?the time they stayed at Etretot covers the period of Miss Holladay's birth, with which, I'm convinced, v these people were In' some way con- j cemed. We must look up Etretat." v A map at the offlce showed us that it was a little fishing hamlet and seaside resort on the shore of the English c channel not far north of Havre. "My theory is," I said, "that when ? I the time of her confinement approach- t ed Mr. Holladay brought his wife to v Paris to secure the services of an ex- D pcrlcneed physician perhaps, or perhaps a nurse or linen, or all of them, j That done, they proceeded to Etretat, ^ which they may have visited before 0 and knew for a quiet place with a p bracing atmosphere and good climate? Just such a place ns they would nat- j urally desire. Here the daughter was ^ \ \ A Mystery 1 Of Two ( Continents | UV *> I BURTON E. A SiEVENSCN T F Copyright. 1303. by 1 t | Henry Holt end K Compt ny 5 >orn, nnd here, I nm convinced, v.-e .bull find Ibe key to tbe mystery, hough I'm very far from guessing vbat tlin? " is. But I have :i premolltlon?vc may smile if you wish? bat I'll flnd tlie clew I'm seeking at Stretat. The name bat somehow itruok nn answering chord In me." The words. as I recall tbem now. leein. more than a little foolish an-.l tPV'W rt map showed us that it was on the shore of the English channel. ;elf assured; yet, in light of the result -well, at any rate, my chief showed 10 disposition to smile, but sat for omo moments in deep thought. "1 don't doubt that you're right, Mr. jester," he said at last. "At any rate 'm ready to trust your experience, iluee I have absolutely none in this ilnd of work. I don't need to say that , have every confidence in you. I'll inve a letter of credit prepared at once, ;o that you may not want for money. Utall we say five thousand to start vltli ?" I stammered that I was certain thut vould be more than enough, but ho llonced me with a gesture. "You'll find foreign travel more extensive than you think," he said. "It any be, too, that you'll find that money vlll help you materially with your Investigations. I want you to have all ou may net d?don't spare it. When ou need more don't hesitate to draw u us." I thanked him and was about to take ay leave, for I had some packing to o and some private business to orange, when a message came from Dr. enkluson. Mr. Graham smiled as he ead it. "Royco is better," he said; "much setter. lie's asking for you, and Joulnson seems to think you'd better go o him, especially if you can bring ood news." "Just the thing!" I cried. "I must go o bid hint goodby, In any event." And talf an hour later I was admitted to ur Junior's room. He was lying hack u a big chair and seemed pale and renk, but he flushed up when he saw ae ami held out his hand eagerly. "I couldn't wait any longer, Lester," e began. "It seems an age since I've ecu you. I'd have sent for you heore this, but I knew that you were (forking." "Yes," I smiled; "I was working." "Sit down and tell me about it," he ommanded. "All about It?every deail." The door opened as he spoke, and Dr. enkinson came in. "Doctor," I queried, "how far is it afe to indulge this sick man? He vants me to tell him a story" "Is It a geod story?" asked the docor. "Why, yes; fairly good." 'Then tell it. May I stay?" "Certainly," said Mr. Royce and I toother, and the doctor drew up a chair. So I recounted, as brlelly as I could, he events of the past two days and he happy accident which had given ne the address I sought. Mr. Royee's ace was beaming when I ended. "And you start for France toinorow?" he asked. "Tomorrow morning. The boat sails t 10 o'clock." "Well, I'm going with you!" he cried. "Why," I stammered, startled by bis ehemenee, "are you strong enough? 'd l>e mighty glad to have you, but <lo ou think yon ought? How about it, loetor?" Jenkinson was smiling with half shut yes. "It's not a bad Idea," he said. "lie leeds rest and quiet more than anybing else, nnd he's hound to get a reek of that on the water, which is aore than he'll do here. I can't keep hat brain of his still, wherever he Is. le'd worry here, nnd with you he'll e contented. Besides," he added, "lie ught to be along, for I believe the exledltlon is going to he successful!" I believed so, too, hut I recognl2ed In enklnson'a words that fine optimism rVicb. bstf dQPQ ftp mttch. to make bim - 5^ t J? tbo greht doctor Be was. I shook our Junior's liand again In the Joy of having him with me. As for him, he seemed quite transformed, nud Jeukinson gazed at him with n look of quiet pleasure. 1 "You'll have to pack," I said. "Will you need my help?" i "No; nurse can do It, with the doctor here to help us out," he laughed. "You liatve your own packing to do and odds ana ends to look nfter. Besides, neither of us will need much luggage. Don't forget to reserve the other berth in that stateroom for me." "No," I said and rose. "I'll come for you'In the morning." "All right; I'll he ready." The doctor followed me out to give me a word of caution. Mr. Itoyce was , still far from well; he must not over- ' exert himself; he must be kept cheer- i ful and hopeful, If possible; above all, ' ho was not to worry; quiet and sea air would do the rest. I hurried back to the olllce to make my final report to Mr. Graham and to get the abstract which Itogcrs had promised to have ready and which was awaiting me on my desk. Our worthy senior was genuinely pleased when he learned that his junior was going with me, though our absence would mean n vast deal of extra work for himself. The canvass of the city stables had i been completed without result, but I suspected now that Martigny himself had hired the carriage and had perhaps even acted as driver. Such an easy and obvious way to baffle our pursuit would hardly have escaped ' him. I finished tip some odds and ends of work which I had left undone nud . finally bade Mr. Graham goodby and started for my rooms. My packing . was soon finished, and I sat down for a final smoke and review of the sltun- | lion. There was one development of the day before which quite baffled me. 1 , lind proved that there were indeed two women, and I believed them to be mother and daughter, but I could not in the least understand why the younger one bad so completely broken down after the departure of the elder with Miss Ilolladay. I looked at this point from every side, but could find no roa-_ sonable explanation of It. It might be, indeed, that the younger one was beginning already to repeut her share In the conspiracy. There could bo no question that It was she who had struck down Ilolladay In his office, that she had even refused to go farther in the plot, and that her companions had found It necessary to restrain licr, but this seemed to me too exceedingly improbable to believe, and as I went over the ground again I found myself beginning more nud more to doubt the truth of Godfrey's theory, though I could formulate none to take its place. I beenmo lost in a maze of conjecture, and at last I gave It up and went to bed. I called for Mr. Royec, as wc bad agreed, and together we drove down to \fftrtnil sh'POf Tin tart l?d?l Ills baggage to n single small trunk. We secured n deck hand to take them ' into our stateroom, and, after seeing them disposed of, went out on deck to ( watch the last preparations for departure. The pier was in that state of hurly burly which may he witnessed only at the sailing of a transatlantic liner. The last of the freight was being got aboard with frantic haste; the boat and pier were crowded with people who had come to bill their friends goodby; two tugs wore puffing noisily alongside, ready to pull us out luto the stream. My companion appeared quite strong and seamed to enjoy the hustle and huh'ouh as much as I did. lie flushed with pleasure as he caught sight of our senior pushing his way toward us. '"Why, this is kind of you, sir!" he cried, grasping his hand. "I know What the work of the oflice must lie with hoth of us deserting you this way." "Tut, tut!" And Mr. drahain smiled* at lis. "Von deserve a vacation, don't you? I couldn't let you g> without ^ ^ t m want 10 nurnaucc you to Mm. Kcrrvball aiul her daughter^ tolling you goodby. Besides," he add- 1 ed, "I learned Juat this morning thnt t two very dear friends of mine are tak- t lug this boat?Mrs. Kcmhall and her c daughter?the widow of Jim K em ball, l you know." f Mr. Royce nodded. I, too! recalled l the name. Jim Keiuball bad been one l; of the best men at the New York bar e twenty 3 ears beforo and must Inevl- i tably have made a great uauro tar him* t StJltf but for bis untimely death. I had 3 hqayd ta hundred stories gt blip. \ I "Well, I want yon to meet them." continued Mr. Graham, looking about u ull directions. "Ah. here they are!" kud he dragged his partner away toward the bow of the boat I saw hi in lowing before n gray haired little lady md u younger aud taller one whose [>aek was toward me. They laughed together for a moment, theu the last >ell rang and the ship's officers began .0 clear the boat. I turned hack to the sler, hut was brought round an Instant ater by Mr. Graham's voice. "My dear Lester," he cried, "I [bought we'd lost you. I want to lnirotluee you to Mrs. Kcmhall uiul her laughter, who are to be your fellow voyagers. Mr. I,ester's a very Ingenious young man," he added. "Make dm uiuuse you!" And he hastened nvay to catch the gaug plank before It diould he pulled in. 1 bowed to Mrs. Keinball, thinking to nyself that I had never seen a sweet,?r, pieasanter face. Then I found my- ' ;clf looking Into a pair of blue eyes J hat fairly took my breath away. "We'll not neglect Mr. Graham's advice," -said a merry voice. "So preinra for your fate, Mr. Lester'." There was a hoarse shouting at the gangway behind me, and the eyes lo >k)d past me, over my shoulder. "See," she said, "there's ouo poor fe!ow who has just made it." I turned and looked toward the gang dank. One end had been cast loose, hitf ??/* -l.w.l- 1 1- - ' " jut mv? \h-i.-iy uiiiuiH were assisting anptlier inr.il to mount It. He seemed ivcftk und lieli>lcss, and they supported dm on cither side. An involuntary cry rose to my lips as I looked at him, hut [ choked it back. For It was Murtlgny. risen from his bed to follow us! CHAPTER XIV. I WATCHED him with a kind of fascination until he disappeared through the door of the cabin. L cor.Id guess what it had cost lnin o drag himself from his bed, what igohy of apprehension must have been ipou him to make him take the risk. The Jourdains, puzzled at my not rcurnlng, unable to keep silence, suspecting. perhaps, some plot against homselves, had doubtless gone to the lospitnl and told him of my appcarmce?there had been no way for me :o guard against that. He had easily guessed the rest. He had ouly to conlult ll>e passenger list to assure liim<elf that Mr. Itoyce and I were aboard. \nd he was following us, hoping? what? Wltat cotdd a man in his conlitlon hope to accomplish? What need ivas tltere for us to fear him? And yet there was something abotit lilra?something In tlie atmosphere of the man? .hat almost terrlOed me. I came back to earth to find that Itoyce and Mrs. Kemball had drifted >Vray togetlier and that my companion tVua regarding me from uuder Half flosed lids with a little siuile of imusement. "So you're awake again, Mr. I.es:er?" she asked. "Do you often suffer ittacks of that sort?" "Pardon me," I stammered. "The 'act Is, t-I"? "You looked quite dismayed," she rontinuod relentlessly. "You seemed positively horror stricken. I saw nothng formidable about liirn." "Xo, you don't know him!" I retortjil and stopped, lest I should say toe audi. "I think we'd better sit down," she paid, smiling. "Your knees seem to be still somewhat shaky." j So we sought a seat near the stern, where wo could watch the city sink rraduallv nwnv In il?? .ii<sf,m?/. jrcat boat glided smoothly out Into ho bay. I coufiMS I was worried. I bad not bought for n moment that Martlgny !*.*Otilcl have the temerity to board the >unie boat with us?yet it was not so tvonderful after all, niuce he could not ;ucss that I suspected him, that I mow liim and Bctliune to he the saiut* lorson. That was my great advantage. In any event we were in no danger 'roui him. He was probably following is only that he might warn his eoufed rates, should we seem likely to dls over tlieni. Certainly they were in no >resent danger of discovery, and perinps might never be. But his following is, liis disregard of the grave danger : o himself, gave me a new measure of lis savage determination to battle us. found myself more and more begin- i ling to fenrSiini. Should 1 Inform Mr. Itoyee of this lew development? I aske.l fnyself. | Then I remembered the doctor's words. Te must have rest aud quiet during the aiming week. | "I trust that I'm not in the way, Mr. heater?" Inquired a low, provoking /oiee at my side, and I awoke to the 'act that I had again been guilty of 'orgetting my companion. i "Miss Kembnll," I began desperately, let nie confess that I'm in an exceed ngly vexatious situation. The fact hat I can't ask advice makes it worse." "You can't ask even Mr. ltoyceV" she jueried, with raised brows. "He least of all. You see, he's just eeoverlng from n severe nervous breakdown." "I see," she nodded. I glanced at her again?at the open, andid eyes, the forceful mouth and :h 111?and I took a sudden resolution. "Miss Kembnll," 1 said, "I'm going o ask your help?that Is, if I may." "Of course you may." "Well, then, that man who came on >oard last Is the inveterate enemy of >oth Mr. Royce and myself. We're rylng to unearth a particularly atroilous piece of villainy In which he's oncerned. I have reason to believe dm capable of anything and a very lend of cleverness. I don't know what le may plot against us, but I'm certain ie'11 plot something. Mr. Itoyce doesn't ivon know him by sight and shouldn't ' >e worried, but unless lie's forewarned le mny walk rlgnt Into danger. I want rou to help mo keep an eye on him?to telpjqp keep hi in out of danger. Will you help ine7" "tA liy, oertRlnly!n she cried. ,-S we're to have h mystery?Just we two! ".lust we two," I assented. 8be looked nt me doubtfully. "1 must remember Mr. Oralmm'i war;; In jr." she said. "You haven't In veu.nl tills nston' tfilng story Just t entertain me, Mr. Lc3ter?" "tin my word, no," 1 re. ,.onded a lit tie bitterly. "I oniv wish I had!" "There!" she said contritely. " shouldn't have doubted. Forgive uie Mr. Lester. Only it seemed so funtus tie, so improbable"? "It Is fantastic," I assented, "but, uu fortunately. It is true. We must keej an eye on M. Martigny, or Bethuue." "Which is his mil name?" "Those lire the only ones I know hut I doubt If either la the true one." Uoyce and Mrs. Ketnball Joined ui a moment later, and we sat wnteliiut the low, distant Look Island shore uu til the gong auminoneil us to lunch A word to the steward had secured in one of the small tables in an alcove u the side. Our hrst meal at sea wn a merry one, Mr. Uoyce seeming Ir such spirits that I was more thau evei determined not to disturb him with tin knowledge ot' Martlgny's presence. As the moments passed my fears seemed more and more uncalled for It was quite possible, I told myself that I had been making a bogy of 1113 own Imaginings. The Frenchman die not appear in the saloon, and after ward an Inquiry of the ship's doctoi developed the fact that ho was seri ously ill and quite unable to leave liii stateroom. I may as well confess at once that was seasick. It came next morning ten minutes after I had left my berth not a violent sickness, but a faintnes: aud giddiness that made me long fo my berth again, but Mr. Uoyce wouh not hear of it. lie got me out 011 deel and into my chair, with the fresl breeze blowing full in my face. Ther< was a long line of chairs drawn iq there, and from the laces of most o their occupants I judged they were fa more miserable than 1. After awhile the doctor came dowi tin; line and looked at each of us, stop ping for a moment's chat. "Won't you sit down a minute, doc tor?" I asked when he came to me, am motioned to Mr. ltoyee's chair. "Why, you're not sick!" lie protest ed, laughing. "It wasn't about myself I wanted t< talk," I said. "How's your other pa tieut, the one who came aboard last?" His face sobered in an instant. "Martigny Is his name," he said, "am he's in very bad shape, lie must hasbeen desperately anxious to get bad to France. Why, he might hav dropped over dead there 011 the gain plank." "It's a disease of the heart?" "Yes, far advanced. lie can't ge well, of course, but he may live 01 luuemuieiy, ir ne's careful." "He's still confined to his bed?" "Oh, yes. lie won't leave it irin) the voyage if he takes my advice. lie*! got to give his heart Just as little worl as possible or it'll throw up the Job al together." I turned the talk to other things and in a few moments he went 01 along his rounds. But I was not lonj alone, for I saw Miss Ketnball comlitj toward me. "So mal de nter has laid its hand 01 you, too, Mr. Lester!" she cried. "Only a finger," I said. "But a lingo is enough. Won't you take pity on i poor landsman and talk to hint?" "But that's reversing our positions!' she protested, sitting down, nevcrthe less, to 1113* great satisfaction. "It wai you who were to be the entertainer Is our Mephisto abroad jet?" she ask ed in a lower tone. "Mephisto is still wrestling with hi: heart, which, it seems, Is scarcely nbli to furnish the blood necessary to keej him going. The doctor tells me tha he'll probably spend the voyage abed." "So there'll he nothing for us to d< after all! Do you know. 1 was longin; to become a female l.eooq!" "Perhaps you may still have tin chance," 1 said gloomily. "1 doubt ven much whether Mephisto will eousen to remain Inactive." She clapped her hands and nodded s laughing recognition to one of tin passing promennders. "You're going to Paris, areu't you Miss KeinbnllV" I asked. "To Paris?yes. You too?" "We go ilrst to Etretat," I said am stopped as she leaned, laughing, bad "Won't you take pity on a poor lands man t" in her chair. "Why, what's wrong wltl that'/" I demanded, in soino astonish ment. "WikOtUlng. JiU'eUtX I !!?' -g most noilghirul place?only It recalled i> to me nn amusing memory of bow my, " mother was one tiny scandalized there by some actresses who were bathing. But it's hardly the season for Etretat. 9 The actresses hare not yet arrived, i- You'll find it dull." i) "We will not stay there long," I said. "But tell iuc about It." | "Ktretat," said my companion, "Is a boheinlan resort. It has a beach of I gravel where people bathe all day long. >, When one's tired of bathing there are . the cliffs and the downs, and lu the evening tlvre's the casino. You know French, Mr. I.ester?" ) "Oh, 1 know the phrase made Immortal l?y Mark Twain." " 'Avez-vous du viuV?yes." , 1 "And I think I also have a hazy rec>llectlon of the French equivalents for * ' bread and butter and cheese and meat. X We shan't starve. Besides, I think Mr. - ltoyce can help. He's been to France." "Of course?and here he comes to * claim Ills chair." t "I won't permit him to claim It If * you'll use It a little longer," I protest* ed. f "Oh, hut I must be going." And she 5 arose, laughing. "Have I been a satlsfactory entertainer?" 1 "More than satisfactory; I'll accept * no other." * "But you won't need any at all uTter this morning?I don't really believe ' you're ill now!" She nodded to ltoyce and moved " away without waiting for my answer. Saturday, Sunday and Monday passed, ' willi only such Incidents to enliven them as are common to all voyages, * but I saw that quiet and sea air were ' doing their work weli with my com* panion and that he was steadily ro* gaining his normal health, so I felt r more and more at liberty to devote my* self to Miss Kcuiball, lu such moments { as she would permit me, and I found 1 her fascination increasing in a ratio 8 quite geometrical. Martlgny was still ' abed, uiul, so tin* ship's doctor told me, " was improving very slowly, r It was Tuesday evening that Mrs. Kembnll and lior daughter Joinetl us on 8 the promenade, anil we found a seat In " the shadow of the wheclliouse and sat for n long time talking of many '* things, watching the moonlight across I the water. At last we arose to return, and Itoyce and Mrs. Koinball * Started on ahead. "Two more days and we'll be at 8 Havre," I said. "I'll he very sorry." "Sorry? I'd never have suspected you of such a fondness for the ocean." "Oh, It's not the ocean!" I protested. 1 and?what with the moonlight and the 0 soft night and the opportunity?"the ^ time and the place and the loved one, B all together"?would have uttered 1 if know not what folly had sin* not i sprung suddenly forward with a sharp cry of alarm. * "Mr. Itoycc!" she cried. "Mother!" 1 They stopped and turned toward her | just as a heavy spar crashed to the deck before them. X * CHAPTER XV. 1 y UNDERSTOOD in a flash what had J happened and sprang up the stair ? to the upper deck, determined to ' have it out with our enemy once 1 for all. I searched it over thoroughly, * looking In and under the boats and ^ behind funnels nnd ventilators, but could discover no sign of any one. 1 When I got back to t lie promenade u little crowd had gathered, attracted t?v r tho noise of the falling spar, which a a dozen members of the crew were busy hoisting back into place. "f do not see how those lashings could have worked loose," said the of* ficerin charge. I took a look at the lashings. They lmd not been cut, as I expected to find them, but had been untied. Martlgny bad doubtless worked at them while we sat there talking. "Well, luckily, t there's no damage , fiouc," observed Mr. Itoyee, with affected lightness, "though It was a close shave. If Miss Keniball hadn't called " to us the spar would have struck us." Mrs. Kemball closed her eyes with a ^ giddy little gesture at the vision the ' words called up, and the orticer frowned in chagrin and perplexity. Just then the captain came up, and tho two stop' pod aside for a consultation In voices 3 so low that only an excited word of French was now and then audible. I ' turned to Miss Kemball, who was leanlug ngafnst the rail with whitr* aud eyes largo with terror. | ''But it was not an accident, Mr. 1 Lester," she whispered. "I saw n man leaning over tlie spar." I nodded. "1 don't doubt It in tho least. But don't tell your mother. It will only alarm her needlessly. We'll talk It over in the morning." She said good night and led her mother away toward their stateroom. 1 went at once In search of the ship's doctor and met him at the foot of tho 1 saloon staircase. "How is !\Vu*tigny, doctor':" I asked. ' "Worse, 1 fear," he answered hurriedly. "lie has just sent for me." "Which room has he?" "He's In 1175, an outside room on the upper deck." I went forward to the smoking room nild looked over tlio l ..I.... ? - . - . V..V X v/.u.Cvl U1 INU i hip posted there. A moment's Inspection of it showed me how easily Mar- ' tlgny luid eluded pursuit, lie had only to walk twenty feet, open n door and get into hod again. When 1 sat down next morning beside Miss Kemhull she closed her book and turned to me with a very determined air. "Of course, Mr. Lester," she began, "if you think any harm can come from telling me, I don't want you to say a word, but I really think I'm entitled - to an explanation." "So do I," I agreed. "You've proved 1 yourself a l-etter guard than I. I'd for^ Continued ou page 6.