Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-02-27
CHAPTER Xxx.
A REVELATION.

Fortunately suffered no Ill effects
from my immersion. When awoke
tho next morning, the strange events
OF the previous night had left an. i'm.
preston on my mind only. Physically
seemed to have benefited in some ex.
traordinary fashion. Ny limbs were
freer, my spirit keener. felt that
something had happened which had
laid open new and happy vistas of the
world, and entered on the Journey of
life with hope.
The captain visited me early and aft.
Or once more conSratulating me sud
denly grew serious.
Il want to ask favor of you," he
said. I'VE have many nervous people
on board, and the knowledge that this
was case Of attempted murder would
create the utmost CONSERVATION. You
know what passengers are and to what
extent they are likely to carry their
fads. Let them once think that the
decks are not safe or that they are liza
BILE to be murdered In their hunks and
can foresee voyage unpleasant.
yond all record. So / would be much
obliged II you would say nothing at all
Of the attack and Just let them think
that Miss Hurst fell overheard. For
tunately 1t was bad night, and,
though they may wonder, they will not
be altogether incredulous."
OF course readily promised. There
was nothing to be gained by inaugural
ing reign of terror. From the cap
tain's manner I was impressed with
the belief that there would not be a
repetition Of the outrage on board the
Omeo.
In.reply to my inquiry IL he had dis
covered any clew to the assailant he
shook his head.
'No, and what makes the outlook 10
hopeless is Miss Hurst's insistence that
her assailant was black. Now, 1 have
made careful investigation. and I find
there is no one on board answering in
the least to her description. Indeed,
the only person with US who il not
white Is Chinaman who works In the
galley"
"a Chinaman!"
Jim and l uttered the exclamation as
with one breath, and our eyes instinc-
lively sought those of each other. But
neither spoke. After all. the mere men
ton Of the word "Chinaman" was
enough to set us agog. In what way
could Miss Hurst be affected by the
Society Of the Hidden Meaning?
YES" continued the captain, "but
he's as inoftensiye as the rest of his
race and would never dream Of coming
aft, much less of attacking saloon
passenger"
Inoffensive as the rest of his race!
Dear, dear, 1t was an ironical world!
1.-THE fremen?" I suggested. for they
were the only men likely to come up
from below with black faces.
"From certain circumstances to
which the engineer bears unmistakable
witness 1t could not have been one Of
his men,"
"Then you are at fault somewhatY'
He did not like this, for he answered
rather sharply: 81 do not claim more
than an ordinary share of intelligence.
You are sure, of course. that you saw
the man run OFF,"
1t was question full Of particular
and not pleasant meaning. but put 1t
down to little natural irritation.
..As surely as see you now"
Every strange" he muttered. I'VE
must probe deeper into this mystery"
When he was gone, Jim turned to me
with an inquiring look.
"Of course, Dayie. you retain vivid
impression of the eyenty'
My dear JIM"
"Of course you do. I'm almost as big
fool as tile rest OF them. 1t was sug-
gested last night that women have
committed suicide before today"
What monstrous suggestionv'
$50 said and stopped the tongues
from wagging. but the affair is very
mysterious, and the story Of the black
man when there is no such person on
board is puzzling to the ordinary
mind"
Black OR white or yellow, whatever
he may be. know not, but this l do
know. saw him with my own eyes"
Then perhaps in the semidaskness
she mistook his COLOR!
ut was not dark enough for that.
No, no! Let them think what they
like. I shall credit her story"
what do you think OF this China
mani"
Naturally my mind at once went to
J the society, as did yours. But It seems
impossible. HOW can, she insany vav