Rock Island Argus., 1897-01-02

I'VE are rich ship. and fear the fnten-
fiOns OF these men,"
the head of a gentleman to terrify the
ship forward by performing the antics
Of q baboon on my flying jib boom endl
If the young lady committed suicide,
what was her reasonr II murdered,
why?"
He barkcd oct that "why" with q
start that drove him half out Of his
chair.
II agree with tho doctor, sir, T" said
Mr.. Matthews, whose plain, homely,
weather stained face wore shocked
look. a strained expression of anxiety.
Gould she have been murdered with.
ont ncise? How was it done? With q
knife? There are no traces Of blood, sir.
By strangulation? The cabin don't sug-
gest it, sir The bedclothes are turned
over in a way that must convince IA
she got out Of her bunk Of her own
will"
II want to match the lady's disap.
penrance with the plunder Of my arms
chest, - said the captain.
I'm what way:'' said the doctor.
rs she in league with the people who
stole the arms?' exclaimed the captain.
IF SO, dent see Of what use she
could be to 'em. for I'll kiss the crucifiz
in Mr.. Poole's berth ON this, that she q
not in the ship" exclaimed the mate
solemnly.
"What, sir. is your opinion ~ to the
cause of the young lady's disappear.
ance:" asked the captain.
''It will be thickening the business
too much" answered the doctor
thoughtfully, Ito assume that she, too.
was walking in her sleep. and SO some.
how fell overheard. No. We must sur.
render that, though might have held
to the notion but for Mr.. Shannon. I'm
afraid it must work out as just an ordi.
nary case of suicide"
The little captain gazed sternly and
gloomily at the cabin deck. After some
silence he looked at the mate and said
There is mischief Matching in thi:
ship. SIR
1T must be smothered. then, sir. and
the sooner the better, IL you will givs
me your instructions, +" replied the mate,
with half glance at the doctor, which
was like questioning the commander'l
| perfect sanity.
81 distrust every one Of those ten pas
sengers." continued the captain. BE,
am ut loss to know how to deal with
them. can prove nothing. I can take
no steps which / might afterward justi
fy. There are ten Of them, sir-ten sew
eral suits at law. hate the law, sir
l was never in q law court in my life.
I have worked hard and am advancing
in years and am not to be sold up ant
professionally ruined by-by''- Herr
the old fellow fairly broke down, Grim.
soning till he looked throttled.
"You are IL men forward, captain, y
said the doctor. I'VE are six men aft
nay, count Mr.. Storr and Mr. Dent,
and we are eight men aft. Nineteen q
ten-nearly double" He shrugged hi
round shoulders.
"But don't You know. SIR" burst on,
the captain. shrill with temper, "tha,
ON board ship odds are not to be reckon
ed when the plots deep and the rogue!
know their business:''
"What do you fear, sir?" said the
slow minded mate.
I'VE are rich ship, and fear thu
intentions of these men, cried the cap
tain. bouncing Of his scat and begin
ming to roll and blow over few feet ol
his carpeted plank.
lyon dou't mean 20 say. captain, y
exclaimed the doctor in . rather low,
thrilling voice, THAT you believe thest
ten men intend to rise and seize this
ship?"
For mercy's sake. silence. sir!