, 1898-09-16

as Standish and Egerton, n by the SOFT
of halo the whole business had cast
around him. He received them cordially.
every glad to see you, gentlemen Inc
man-Tom Ritson-about whom l wrote
has not come yet, but he will be here
presently. l don't know that what he has
TO tell is of much Importance. Step into
my private Office"
AS he threw an inner door open, 0
sailor of ordinary type presented himself
Mt the entrance of the office.
"Oh, there you are, Ritson! Come
along"
They all went into the private room,
where Standish at once took a chair. Eg.
erton remained standing, and the lawyer
retreated to his usual fortress, the arm
CHAIR behind his knee-hole table.
The sailor, holding his cap in both
hands somewhat nervously, but with an
air of some Importance, kept rather close
10 the door.
"Come, Ritson," said the lawyer, tell
these gentlemen you story"
Ritson shifted from one foot 10 the
other. We'll, sir" he began, this was
the way of it. You see, I'm an Eastport
man, and | shipped aboard the Macedo-
mia. one Of the Commercial Steam Navi-
cation Company's ships, in London Dock
In September last. We put In here for a
day and a night, and l had leave to go
and see some of my friends as live out
Westdene way, but l was to be at my
post at seven next morning, as we were
to sail with the tide"
Egerton muttered a half-inarticulate ex-
elamation of impatience, and Briggs said
aloud, "Come, get on, my man."
81 must tell you it all from beginning
DO end" he said, cor l can't do it no way
''Give him his head" murmured Stand
fsh in a low tone.
$50" continued Ritson, "as my aunt's
husband was a %jovial, hospitable chap,
thought I'd not stay there all night, foH
maybe I'd drink a drop too much ana
eyersleep myself. We sat talkin' anC
ehatdn' till past midnight. Then say
good-Ay and started to walk into East
port. had had a drop, but only a drop
/ knew what | was about. 1t was darl
when ! set out, but by an by the mooI
rose, and by the time I struck the top o.
the common there was plenty of light
though every now and again a big clou'
would come sailing across the moon
When l got alongside a pretty bit of
house, the first YOU come to after crossing
the sand-hils from Westdene, ] though
how quiet and comfortable everything
booked, and thought there was a fam
glinmer of light IN one of the lower win
dows, nigh the near end of the house
While l was looking and thinking q figur'
comes out of q gate at the side of tn
house, carrying a short ladder on hi
shoulder. He put it down ind stood witt
sne arm round 1t, through the rungs. a
thinking what he'd do next. There wa.
something so quiet and steadfast in hi
way that 1t never struck me he could b.
after any mischief, though It dad seem
bit queer his being there with a ladder a.
that hour. Just then the Eastport clock,
ahkmed out three-quarters-l guessed 1
must be quarter to two, and that l has
best make for the town as fast al
could. When / got a few PAGES off l turn
I'd and looked back, but not a sign Of Ii,
man or the ladder could l see. / got Int
the old Mermaid Tavern, and to bet
Next morning we sailed"
"Do you remember the date Of this o
eurrence7 2" asked Briggs.
. II &c. slr. II yas the twenty second