Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-05-14

supplies me with food. 1 have been al
along in the statercom next to Miss Mer
wins, with my carpetbag. Had yor
looked in the room you would have seer
me, but you probably missed the key, Of
thought it was lost"
THAT is true; butt
"Here is my warrant" he INTERRUPTED
handing me a paper, which, on reading
it by the lanterns light, perceived was
q signed document, apparently from the
proper authorities, instructing Johr
Clews, the bearer, detective, to con
ceal himself aboard the Hermione and
act as he might see fit in his endeavor IL
| detect the murderess, Miss Youngson
who it was suspected was a passenger in
disguise aboard the vessel.
'iShe is here" was his confident reply
when l remarked that there must be
some mistake. II have not watched
through the hole bored in the partition
for nothing"
"Why, man. l cried, aghast, "she
cannot be the guilty one. She is inro
cence itself-as artless as child. Be-
sides, she is very tall and young, whereas
/ have been old that the murderess was
much short and nearly twice as old
He laughed in a way which to me was
indescribably disagreeable.
It is not Miss Merwin I allude to-
he said. you will remember that the
stateroom of Miss Lorton is also next tc
mine"
What!' exclaimed, almost as much
surprised as before, "you suspect that
stout young lady who ?"-
81 don't suspect" he interrupted; a
know her to be the criminal"
''But she is young, plain and stout,
the accused woman was slender
"Bahl" he again interrupted. "Dis.
guise! 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. | 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, l 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 ship!
commenced to walk the deck in no
pleasant frame of mind, and the morn.
ing light stole around me before / was
aware that the hour was so late.
When breakfast was ready in the cabin
Miss Merwin was absent from her &C
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.0f the spanker
BOOM
cit is very strange" he said to me I'M
easily, "Miss Merwin has not yet shown
herself"
This 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-
Spouse.
81 do, not Know what to make Of it,"
he said to me on deck. ooh, father!"
he added wildly, ''is it possible'she can
have suddenly died?"
81 don't think so," I 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 per3o1, might suspect that she
had absconded with your money"
AS night approached her non-appear-
ance excited general comment, and 1
was advised to break open the door,
which was locked. I did 80, and We
found her room empty. Her trunk was
still there, but she was gone.
Ny son looked at me as pale as death.
'sMy 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. els = 5g,z
'EImposs;ble!' ] answered. eft was
clear moonlight. I was on deck all
night. and besides, had goodilookouts
posted about the Ship. The thing could
not have happened unknown to as.'v
We looked to see if we might not fir Z
a note or something explanatory, but In
vain. 80 81 l. $50
Then L ordered a thorough search TO
be made throughout the ship. This Was
done; but nc, she was not to, be found,
though every nook and corner was looked
into. a-E- E.a
Then it occurred to me to speak to the
detective abort it, and as soon as could
do so unobserved knocked at his door.
He cautiously opened it, but on seeing
who was there he invited me. in.
1 told hin what had happened, not
even emitting to mention the sudden
change had previously noticed in the
young lady's height. AS proceeded /
observed that his keen eyes seemed to
grow larger, while the thick beard that
covered the fare Of this. singular man
kept twitehing, as if every hair was in
stinct with life.
@Give me time" he said solemnly,
when had finished, land l will solve