Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-12-20
CHAPTER Xxx.
A REVELATION.

from my immersion. When l awoke
the next morning, the strange events
OF the previous night had left an i'm
preston on my mind only. Physically
l seemed to have benefited In some ex-
traordinary fashion. My limbs were
freer, my spirit keener. l felt that
something had happened which had
laid open new and happy vistas of the
world, and 1 entered on the journey of
life with hope.
The captain visited me early and aft
er once more congratulating me sud-
denly grew serious.
Il want to ask a 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 LA
BILE to be murdered In their hunks and
1 can foresee voyage unpleasant be-
yond all record. So 1 would be much
obliged IL you would say nothing at all
OF the attack and Just let them think
u II
tunately 1t was a 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 1 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 so
hopeless is Miss Hurst's insistence that
her assailant was black. Now, have
made careful investigation, and 1 find
there is no one on board answering In
the least to her description Indeed.
the only person with us who Is not
white Is Chinaman who works In the
galley"
"a Chinamanv
Jim and uttered the exclamation as
with one breath and orr ewes Instinc-
rsvery sOuSnI those OF eacL = Tut
neither spoke. After all. the mere men.
ton OF the word "Chinaman" was
could Miss Hurst be affected by the
Society Of the Hidden Meaning2
YES" continued the captain, "but
he's as inoffensive as the rest of his
race and would never dream of coming
aft, much less Of attacking a saloon
passenger"
Inoffensive as the rest OF his racel
Dear, dear 1t was an ironical world!
''The firemen?' | 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 II could not have been one OF
his men,"
Then you are at fault somewhatr'
BE 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 offY'
1t was question full of a particular
and not pleasant meaning, but put it
down to a little natural irritation.
"As surely as l see you now"
VERY strange" he muttered. 1--WE
must probe deeper into this mystery"
When he was gone. Jim turned to me
with an lnquiring look
"Of course, Davie, you retain a vivid
impression OF the eventp'
my dear Jimr'
"Of course you do. I'm almost as big
fool as the rest OF them. 1t was sug-
gested last night that women have
committed suicide before today"
What monstrous suggestionw
$50 1 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 do
know. saw him with my own eyes"
Then perhaps in the Semidarkness
she mistook his color"
1T was not dark enough for that.
No. no! Let them think what they
Ike. | shall credit her story"
What do you think OF this China
man?"
Naturally my mind at once went to
the society. as did yours. But it seems
impossible. How can she In any way
be connected with itT'
That, my dear lad, is just what I
should like to know. Now, dress your
self and go uD on deck and prepare to
receive compliments. I'm proud OF
you, Davie."
Thanks, old fellow"
We understood each other, Jim and I.
passed over the congratulations
which were showered upon me by the
passengers, among whom no one was
more demonstrative than the rubicund
Major Coghlan.
The top Of tire mornin to you," said
he. It's a full blown hero have the
pleasure Of congratulatin. You've cut
the ground entirely from under me
feet, and l haven't bare inch of it to
stand on"
OF course IL was very nice for n