The Russellville Democrat., 1891-05-21

proper authorities, instructing John Clews, tka bearer, detective, to con. ceal himsess aboard the Hermione and act as he might see fit in his endeavor to detect the murderess, Miss Youngson, who 1t was suspected was passenger in disguise aboard the vessel.
 "She is here,p was his confident reply when I remarked that there must be some mistake. "I have not watched through the hole bored in the partition for nothing"
 Why, manln I cried, aghast, she cannot be the guilty one. She is inno- cence itself--as artless as child Be sides, she is very tall and young, whereas have been told that the murderess was much shorter and nearly twice as old"
 He laughed in way which to me was indescribably disagreeable.
 Tt is not Miss Merwin allude to, ' he said. You will remember that the stateroom of Miss Lorton is also next to mine"
 Whatlr I exclaimed, almost as much surprised as before, lyon suspect that stout young lady who ?"--
 "I don't suspect, he interrupted; know her to be the criminal"
 But she is young, plain and stout; the accused woman was slender"--
 "Bahr' he again interrupted. Dis guisel That will explain all. It is easy for woman of that kind to make her. self look younger and stouter than she really is. Should we fall in with good Liverpool bound ship shall arrest this woman and take her on board of it with me I will go back to my room now. You may or may not see me again be- fore we sight home bound craft
 With that he glided like shadow into the cabin.
 Now, then, I had something to keep me awake, to drive all thoughts of turn ing in from my mind. So, after all, that woman, that terrible murderess, was aboard my shipl
 commenced to walk the deck in no pleasant frame of mind, and the morn ing light stole around me before I was aware that the hour was 80 late.
 When breakfast was ready in the cabin Miss Merwin was absent from her ac- customed place at the table. During the progress of the meal looked more than once at Miss Lorton-the stout young lady who, the detective had positively as- serted, was Mary Youngson, the poisoner.
 The quiet dignity and composure of her manner, the frank, honest expression of her face. and its undeniable plainness, seemed to me so natural, so real, that marveled how the detective contrived to penetrate through so perfect disguise.
 Feeling tired out after breakfast slept until near noon.
 When went on deck Tom was super intending the repairing of the spanker boom.
 "It is very strange" he said to me un- easily, Miss Merwin has not yet shown herself"
 The day wore on without our seeing her. Even at supper time she did not make her appearance.
 Tom looked pale and concerned. Final ly he went and knocked at her door, calling her name There was no re- sponse. a
 'sI do not know what to make of it." he said to me on deck. "Oh, father!" he added wildly, 'is it possible she can have suddenly died9"
 II don't think so," answered.: "she seemed to be in good health"--and then thought to myself, "Were it not that we are where we are, and she a different sort of person, l might suspect that she had absconded with your money"
 As night approached her non-appear- ance excited general comment, and l was advised to break open the door, which was locked. I did so, and we found her room empty. Her trunk was still there, but she was gone.
 My son looked at me as pale as death.
 My Godl what can have become of herr? he groaned.
 In fact, it certainly was very pecu- liar case, and coupled with my previous observation of the strange shortening of the woman's stature it seemed to me to partake almost of the supernatural.
 May she not have gone on deck last night and fallen overboard" inquired one of the passengers.
 "Impossiblei" answered. "It was clear moonlight. was on deck all night, and besides, had good lookouts posted about the ship. The thing could not have happened unknown to us.r
 We looked to see if we might not find a note or something explanatory, but in vain.
 Then I ordered thorough search to be made throughout the ship. This was done; but no, she was not to be found, though every nook and corner was looked into.
 Then it occurred to me to speak to the detective about it, and as soon as could do 30 unobserved knocked at his door, He cautiously opened it, but on seeing who was there he invited me in.
 told him what had happened, not even emitting to mention the sudden change had previously noticed in the young lady's heigk4 As proceeded that his keen eyes seemed to grow larger, while the thick beard that covered the face of this singular man kept twitching, as if every hair was in- stinct with life.
 "Give me time," he said solemnly, when I had finished, "and I will solve this mystery. In few days may be able to do it--perhaps not for week."
 l left him and went on deck. Tom was there, looking so downcast and for lorn that resolved to acquaint him with the presence of the detective, and tell him what he said, and so, perhaps, brighten him up little.
 1 did so, but my words had an effect l had not expected. Refecting moment, he cried out: Father, I believe that man is humbugl But whether he be de- tective or not, now suspect that he is a thief and murderer; that he knew of Miss Merwin's having that 5000 bond, and that in order to possess himself of 1t