The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-02-18
CHAPTER TX.

| TAKE UP MY QUARTERS AT CANvEY.
Up to this point l had as far as pos
sible, avoided visiting the island myself,
but / now came to the conclusion that
the time had come when it would be
necessary to carry Oh my Investigations
in person. Fortunately there was not
wanting an excuse by which could do
so without arousing suspicion. My
friend Muir. who is an ardent sports
man, rents part of Canvey to shoot
over; hence he is very familiar figure
there and is known and loved by every
man, woman, child and dog.
To go as his friend would, knew,
insure me ready welcome, so 1 got
him to row me over once or twice in his
boat and then, when we had been seen
frequently in each others company, to
ask the landlord of the inn at Hole
Haven to find me bed for week or
two, as was friend of his who had
come to Canvey for some shooting. By
this means was able to keep constant
watch upon the Cuban Queen without
hein9 noticed by Hughes, for the sea
wall, as have elsewhere said, was so
high that, standing outside, one is in
visible from the water, but anybody in
side who wishes to look out to sea can
walk up the sloping bank on the inner
side of the wall until his eyes are level
with the top and then can peer through
the long, weedy grasses without attract
ing attention.
A week passed uneventfully, and then
Muir came over, accompanied by Quick
ly, for an afternoons shooting. After
late lunch we made our way on foot
and inside the sea wall toward the
eastern end of the island. My interest
in the sport was not very keen, for
was keeping half an eye meanwhile
upon the hulk, but by the time we
started to retrace our steps it was be-
coming dark just as we reached the
| point off which the Cuban Queen was
! lying fancied heard the stealthy dip
of oars. and asking Muir and Quickly
to wait moment / peered over the sea
wall. Some one was coming on shore
from the Cuban Queen under cover of
twilight and instead of making for the
usual "hard" at Hole Haven the oars
man, whoever he might be, clearly in
tended effecting landing in some more
secluded spot stole softly back to
Muir and Quickly. telling them what
had seen and asking them to crouch
down with me under cover of some
bushes to await events.
That there were two persons in the
boat was evident, for in another minute
we heard the grinding of the keel upon
the single. followed by few whisper
ed words. A low voice said, "Pass me
out the parcel, and I'll push her of. 4"
Again we heard the stones crunch as
the boat was slid back into the water.
GOOD nights" were exchanged, and re-
ceding oar dips told us that the boat was
returning to the hulk. Then somebody
climbed the sea wall and stood still for
half a minute, as If looking around to
make sure that no one was in sight.
Our hiding place was fortunately well
in shadow, and we ran very little risk
OF discovery, but it was not until the
person who had landed had turned and
taken some steps in the opposite direc-
ton that ventured to lift my head.
Night was fast closing in, but standing
| 20 Va" ho"Oohicr WAS upon the sea wall,
silhouetted against the darkening sky,
could distinctly see that the figure was
q woman's. Hughes old woman.
zur," Quickly whispered in my ear, but
l motioned to him to be silent, and SO
we remained for few seconds.
Then Muir spoke, with evident dis
gust, and not in whisper either:
Look here, Master Max Rissler, caves.
dropping and foxing about after women
isn't in my line. You haven't told me
what your little game is. and haven't
asked you. I've great respect for you,
a. you know. But il you're playing
tricks with that poor DEVILS wife, why,
damme, man, I'd as soon knock your
jib amidships as look at you."
Icould have strangled the big hearted,
laundering Briton. but had to content
myself with shaking a fist at him and
grinding my teeth with vexation until
grinned. for MRS. Hughes was still
within earshot. 1t did not lessen my
annoyance to know, from the approving
grimace which could feel rather than