The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-01-07


leaning from the breeze. fretting the
silver under the counter into u wake,
with the fellow at the helm bawling
out. - good voyage to you'll"
The mate stood "A moment looking
idly on, then sent bull-like roar to the
cutter to return and stand by the ship
TIL 1t was seen what the passenger
wanted. A growing "No, 10, " rolled
back through the damp night breeze,
and the cutter grew dim in the silver
haze Of the night.
BY this time the new arrival, grasp.
ing his portmamteau, had walked aft TO
Captain Benson, vigilantly and distrust-
fully eyed by several of the male pas
sengers as he went. Indeed they fol-
lowed him and hung close to catch
what passed. You could almost read by
the light of the moon. The stranger
figure and face were as determinable as
daylight. He was rather short and
rather slim and wore long whiskers of
a pale yellow. He was very white, and
his dark eyes glistened in their settings
as he rolled them round upon the people.
II do believe" whispered Mr.. Dent
to his wife while he bobbed his head
with intent eyes at the man, that he's
James Murray"
do you mean the manager of the
such and such bank?'' said she, CIV
ing it its name.
By this time Captain Benson appear
ed to have recognized him.
why, you re Mr., Murray, amt You"
THAT'S my name, captain. And if
you will step apart I'll give you my
reason for desiring to sail in this ship
to England and my excuse for becom-
ing passenger in an irregular way"
"What does he want to say?" NUT
tered Captain Trollope to Mr.. Davenire.
els one small portmante2u all his
luggage for England?" answered the
other.
IT think I recognize an acquaint-
ance," exclaimed Mr. Murray, and he
extended his hand to Mr.. Dent, lifting
his hat at the same time to the colonial
merchants wife.
"Get way upon the ship. Mr.. Mat
thews," said Captain Benson. And with
little courtesy or ceremony he said,
"Step below, sir. ;"
Mr.. Murray, picking up his portman-
teau, followed the white haired skip
per down the companion steps. Captain
Trollope and one or two others lurked
in needless, offhand way roundabout
the open skylight, through which they
were able to look straight down into the
cuddy But Captain Benson and Mr..
Murray sat out of earshot at the head
of the table, where the captains chair
was. The old man fastened his deep set,
searching eyes upon his companion,
who was certainly pale and agitated.
But then, TO be sure, the situation he
had placed himself in was an extraordi'
nary one. He was man OF about 40,
and, pulling down one of his long. vel
low, flowing whiskers, he spoke thus:
''It was only at the last moment,
Captain Benson-when, in short, it was
too late to book passage in your ship
that received q letter from London re
curing my immediate presence at oul
Office there 1t concerns some enormous
piece of rascality, and l am the only
one in the Australian employ who cal
help them.
''When did you get this letter." ask
ed the captain.
"a ship from London arrived last
night. What's her name again?"
1.-THE Magioiau?" suggested the cap
tain.
$50" said Murray. eff her mail
were not late in delivery, at all event
my letters did not come to hand unit
noon. Unfortunately l was out on busi
ness. When returned to the bank ant
read the commands from London, you
ship had started or was about to start
| was determined to take the first ship
and a clipper, and Immediately hire
the cutter Nooloomooloo to follow you
giving myself no time to bring off NOR
luggage t'lan what you see there, " SAL
.. he. pointing to his portmanteau.
"Of course, sir, l pay you your pas
sage money, all the same. as though ha
', booked at your agents" continued Mur
raw. pulling out notebook we'll line
with sovereigns and Bank Of Englan
notes. "The matter is extraordinary
the case quite exceptional. You shal
: hear all of it AZ we go along" he con
tinued, pouring out his words with a
oily fiuency under which the captain
!. temper was entirely unable to break
"Any cabin forward or aft will do 70
, me, and of course pay first class fare
/, Can have something to eat now, SIR
am starving"
The passengers were beginning I
leave the deck when the captain rose
He called to the steward and surlil
babe him find Mr.. Murray bed an
proyide him with some Refreshments
then went OH deck. 1t was five BELLS
half past 10
CHAPTER I'LL
0 THE BANK MANAGER.
Next morning the wind was of tn
bow. q head wind, and the seas ridgin
: at the ship in rich, sparkling lines
o violet and lace, when the passenger
]. came on deck after breakfast. The
eo,,,d tba eocond mate who had charc