The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1893-12-23
Il was evident that his friend had been

u was evident that his friend had been
anxious to conceal from the crew the
fact that they were being photographed,
for every figure in the group was as
natural as possible. 1t was more than
likely, Mclean thought, that neither
captain nor crew knew what a camera
was.
The second to last picture surprised
Mclean The men were grouped
around the wheelsmen, and were evil
IDENTIFY discussing some subject with
animation. One of the men was look
ing directly at the camera at the time
the shot was made, and his expression
was one that might have alarmed Fred.
ericks if he had not been so absorbed
in his work.
The next picture was a revelation.
Mclean watched it as it came out, and
at first thought it was failure
There seemed to be too much of the
'cntral figure, and the man was so
close % the camera that his figure was
rather out of focus If the figure had
stood up straight its head and shoul-
ders would have been out of the pic
ture. Asst was, Mclean saw that il
was the picture of man crouching
along toward the holder of the camera.
When the picture was fully developed
and Mclean held it up before the red
light he was startled to see that the
crouching figure held in his uplifted
hand long italian stiletto The pic.
ture was evidently taken the moment
before the stroke was given. The man
aimed at was doubtless the unconscious
photographer, who, busted with his
camera, did not notice the figure steal
ing upon him.
Mclean finished that negative with
more care than he ever took with
picture before. He printed a positive
as soon as the negative was dry, and,
although the figure was out OF focus,
anyone could instantly recognize the
face Us that of the captain of the Fly
ing Scud. The little picture was evil
dence enough to Mclean that his friend
had been murdered, probably to get
what money he had on his person. But
he realized that it still was not evidence
enough to enable him to convict the
murderers at a court in Venice.
He made lantern slide of the pic
ture. hired a stereopticon and made his
preparations He took one officer of
the law "a man entitled to take deposit
tions) into his confidence.
When the schooner again arrived in
Venice Mclean got one of the men to
come with him to his rooms. He
,icho A ha - L
friend came by his death, and he
promised the man money if he would
give him faithful account of the acct
dent. At McLean's rooms the man told
the tale that had already been told.
do you believe in the devil?" asked
Mclean when his story was finished.
Sure" replied the man in an awed
whisper
Then come into the next room and
will show you some of the DEVILS work.
You will see what he says became of
my friend.
The man drew back. He had no de-
sire to see any of the devils work.
Then it is true what the devil says,
that you killed my friend"
II didn't kill him!' cried the sailor;
lit was" Then he checked himself
and was silent.
The officer of the law stepped out of
the other room, and, seeing him, the
sailor appeared to be afraid to refuse to |
enter
The room was pitch-dark. Suddenly
here appeared on the wall group of |
men around the wheel on board the |
boat The sailor at once recognized |