Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1897-03-18

less as death. I felt the body. 1t was
cold and rigid. If this were not
death, he simulated it to perfection.
I sent for the sailmaker, who sew
ed the body up in my presence.
When his task was completed, dis
missed him, and, securing the cabin
door inside, with sharp knife rip
ped open the stitches. MY hand
shook painfully. What if he were
really dead3
I confess to experiencing a singu-
lar feeling of relief when the man
opened his eyes, and the resuscitated
Brandon sat up administered some
brandy, which helped to revive him.
He quickly and noiselessly dressed
himself. Then he produced from an
American trunk a dummy figure
which he had previously prepared
and weighted and inclosed it in the
shroud. This he sewed up with his
own hands. Not word was spoken
by either of us. When all was COM
pleted, I stepped out to reconnoiter.
Seeing the coast was clear, signal
ed him, and he crept swiftly across
the passage into his daughters cab
in, where he concealed himself.
In the first dog watch of the same
afternoon the bell commenced to
toll its solemn knell for the funeral
Of Anthony Brandon. Officers and
men and passengers stood round me
with heads uncovered as I read from
the Book of Common Prayer the
beautiful and impressive burial serv-
ice. God forgive me, it was an aw-
full mockery. / don't know how I
got through with it. Afterward
heard it commented that I was much
affected during the service. Heaven
knows I was, but twas with guilt
and fear.
After the funeral Brandon return
ed to his own cabin, which was kept
constantly locked, and the key Of
which I retained in my own posses
sion. With my connivance Alice
smuggled food to him from day to
day.
About two weeks afterward, while
proceeding up the channel under all
sail, we were hailed by tug. Antici-
pating danger, I slipped down the
companionway and conveyed Bran
don to my own cabin for conceal
ment. When I went on deck again,
I was just in time to see stout,
well groomed party clambering over
the vessels side. Without any pre-
liminaries he brusquely demanded:
"Got a passenger of the name Of
Brandon on board2"
II had, stranger; I had"
he gazed at me inquiringly.
Come below, sir, - said I.
AS we descended he explained that
he was detective sent in pursuit
Of Brandon, who had absconded
from Australia with a considerable
sum of money and valuable nego-
table securities. When he had pro-
duced his warrant, I ordered the
mate to fetch the logbook. Under
date the 10th January he read this
entry:
Buried at sea in latitude 35 de-
grees 49 minutes NJ, long. 33 de-.
grees is minutes W. Anthony Bran
don, cabin passenger. Cause of
death unknown"
He muttered something under his
breath which was quite unintelligi-
BILE to me. Then he demanded to see
Brandon's s effects. 1 led the way in
to his cabin. He ransacked every
trunk and portmanteau, but not a
vestige of paper or anything of val
ue did he discover. The expression
on his face when he left the ship
some hours later was not ;particu-
larly pleasant.
When we arrived In the docks at
London, I smuggled Mr.. Brandon
ashore in one of. his daughters
trunks, after they had been search
ed by the customs officer. No one in
the ship ever suspected the truth.
Their secret remained alone with
me.
1t was arranged that Alice and I
should be married quietly before
setting out on my next voyage, and
our honeymoon was to be. spent on
the bosom of the deep. When we
parted that night, she promised to
communicate with me when her fa-
ther had secured some quiet retreat
in the country. She kept her prom
ise. Here is the letter. I have pre-
served it all these years. 1t has nei-
ther superscription nor signature:
DEAR OLD CAPrA1N-Many, many
thanks for all your kindnesses. My
husband and for Mr.. Brandon is
my husband, though it was not
known in Arlington-will never for
get them. Pray forgive the deceit
we found it expedient to practice on
you in order to carry out our plans.
We are in fairly atfiuent circum-
stances, for my husband did not lose
the money in speculation, as
thought 1t necessary to tell you.
Dear captain, l know l can rely up
on YOU. for yOur own sake not to