Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1896-06-18

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provement after the chance of fighting
was at an end. 1t seemed 10 me as If
he were still expecting some calamity
TO happen TO him, and l began to Won
der whether there might not be some
thing seriously wrong with his health
to account for all that had surprised me
in his manner. This explanation which
had not occurred TO me while there was
any real danger, struck me forcibly,
now that we were safe on the gunboat.
and, as soon as had enjoyed the lux
ury OF bath after my five days of dis
comfort, strolled down 10 the Lieuter-
ants cabin to have a look at him in the
new light of a patient
The door of my friends cabin was
ajar as l had approached it, and when
l glanced into the room before knock
ing | was surprised to catch sight Of
Engineer Lashton standing by the side
of the Lieutenants bunk.
THE fact of Lashtons enmity for
my friend was so undisputed that at the
sight of his figure in his enemy's cabin
l felt quite justified in watching what
was going on before making my pres
ence known. Gilby was lying across
his bunk, half undressed and apparent
ly fast asleep. The engineer was stand
ing over him with a bottle of some
black fluid in his hand. While 1 watch
ed, ne made five small marks with it
on the sleeping mans arm. The opera
ton seemed such mysterious one that
watched him till he put the cork back
into the bottle, without moving step
to interfere with the man, but I
pounced upon him as he turned to leave
the cabin.
what on earth have you been do
ing" asked unceremoniously, and the
fellow seemed rather taken aback.
1T is only practical joke he said,
with feeble attempt to smile uncon-
cernedly.
"Joke or no joke, demand to see
what is in that bottle l said authorita-
lively, my mind full of mysterious poi
sons, and the engineer handed it over
tamely.
"The bottle contained nothing but
ink"
Ink" l exclaimed when the great
brain specialist reached this point in
his narrative, and Macpherson smiled
in a peculiarly quiet way he has when
he has perfectly mystified a hearer.
Yes, ordinary ink" he went on.
"The discovery naturally made me feel
rather foolish, but not so much as it
would have done if l had not been
convinced still that his action was in
some way a malicious one. What his
idea could be, however, it was impossi-
BILE for me to divine and felt so curious
about it that should have reused my
friend at once to inquire how five black
marks on his arm could possibly affect
his happiness If he had not looked so
Thoroughly worn out and in need o.
sleep. AS soon as Lashton had gone |
left the cabin at once for fear of dis
turbing the sleeper, without stopping
even to try and remove the ink stains,
piece of stupidity at which 1 have not
ceased to wonder. You see 1t was i'm
possible for me to guess how desper-
ately serious the plot was that the en-
gineer had formed against the man
whom he considered his rival. re-
tired 10 my own cabin, opposite Gilby's.
Keeping the door open to make sure that
Lashton did not return to do more mis-
chief, but l made poor sentry. was
tired out, like the young Lieutenant,
through not having had my proper
amount of rest for four nights, and |
fell asleep, still wondering about the
five black marks.
When l awoke, I do not know how
long after, it was to find Gilby stand
ing In my room, half undressed, as
had seen him in his bunk, but with his
shirt sieve buttoned up over the ink
stains on his arm. l was too full of
sleep, however, to notice the fact at The
time, or even to remember for the mo-
ment anything about what had seen
SLEEPY as was, could not help no.
ticing the look of complete misery and
despair on my friends face. He was
standing at the side of my bunk, hold.
Ing an envelope, and when l started
up, rubbing my eyes, he put it into my
hand
Il am glad you are awake, Mae
pherson, he said, in a strangely con-
strained tone. L wanted to ask Won to
do me favor Will you give this letter
to Miss Callan personally when you see
her? / do not want to take the risk of
sending it by mail
But you will see her yourself as
soon as SHALL said in surprise nj the
request, and Gilby did not reply. In
stead, he turned and walked out of the
cabin, leaving me staring at the letter