The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-22
BY MRS. C. N. WILLIAMSON.
Copyright 1902 BY tho National Press Agency.
!, CHART Err *.
The Beginning Of the Test.
MYSTERY s
IAN Rights Reserved.


z The Beginning OF the Test.
Dick had changed his mind. but not
without reason. He could not afford to let
the woman slip out Of his grasp, and he
did not know how to keep a hold upon her,
with all the other things he must attend
to simultaneously. unless he. could have
her on the xenia. But afterwards he
would not let her go lightly, and in the
way he would introduce her on board he
did not believe the suspicious he had
formerly Conjured up would enter the head
of the captain of the port. He would
tell that official that he. regarded 1.-The
woman as suspicious character, in whose
hand might lie the key to the rnystery;
and she; would be unknown to herself-a
prisoner rather than guest $Gg5,
Well he said, lit is forbidden for any
stranger to go on board the derelict yacht
but I have some influence with the gen
tleman who settles all these things, and
I will do my best to get his permission for
you to break the rule. Then, If that
magic mirror of yours gives you any more
gruesome pictures, perhaps shall try to
get out of this business. I'm not sure
that I'm: not sick of it, any way z. You
might wait for me here while1I go and
have a talk with the captain efsthe port
/: willingly" replied the woman. But
when Dick had gone she went to a window
and watched him out Of sight. No soon
er had he disappeared than she slipped
out Of the restaurant, inquired in rea-
sonably good English of man she met
where she could find a telegraph office,
and, hurrying away in the direction indi-
Gated it was not long before she re-
turned again. When Dick came back to
the restaurant, after a second interview
with the captain of the port, he found the
woman sitting in the dim corner Of the
shabby, low-ceilinged room exactly as he
had left her. She was leaning against
the wall, her head bowed her eyes closed
as If she had dropped asleep, and as Dick
moved a chair in approaching she appar-
emily awoke with a start.
Dick had succeeded in obtaining the
permission he wanted from the captain of
the port, who was interested in the ad
vent of new and mysterious figure on
the scene. Sir Peter Markham had in
spired him with some Of his own faith In
the young mans detective abilities, and he
was willing to do his part in testing them:
He agreed to remain there until Knight
should have had fair time to try his ex
pertinent; afterwards she would be dis
posed OF according to the result Of that
experiment. He had also to inform Dick
| that, during his absence, another search
had been made on the Xenia, under his
| own superintendent; and the dispositions
I of the; men received. Later in the day,
! two new recruits would take, the place of
! the departing ones. ..-...
! The yelled woman heard the news OF
| Knight success calmly, land was very quiet
and submissive in the boat which present
| ly took them both out to the derelict But
when they reached the: Xenia, Dick s
watchful eyes saw that the white draper
les over her bosom rose and fell tumultu-
ously. Her hands were tightly clasped
| together under shelter of the flowing
sleeves. He was sure that it was only by
! a supreme effort she was able to contro
3~l~ ! = l.,
deck of the yacht, Dick did not let 8
glance: Of her, eye escape him. =; 49,
| :'She is looking for something in, par'
! tieulaI,,' he told himself, .'expectlng, per.
haps fearing something. Jove! If I could
only get~a sight of her face should know
whether she has found it or not" Blu
[ aloud he said: ''You shall go below will
me, and have another shot at your magi,
mirror. Perhaps the pictures it show:
you will be more definite now that 70,
| have got your wish and are on the Xenia.'
Purposely he led her past the cage, ant
watched eagerly for some indication o
the impression made upon her. But h
was disappointed. If the clue to the mys
terry Of the derelict lay hid in the broker
cage this woman was either ignorant o
Ethe#faet or-she was a mlagnifcent act
y ffess. She, stared at the cage; even locke,
back at it III passing, but shesgaV n
start, she Showed no trace of emotion
deeper than a. surprised curiosity.
Dicks intention had been to take he
into the saloon for the conversation
which was to end in battle between hi
wits and hers; but suddenly an. ,impuls
seized him. "She shall see the packing
case," he resolved. ; -
Knight made no excuse for taking tn
yelled woman to the store-room, w1er
the packing-case still lay open as he ha
first seen it, and-so far as he knew-un
! siy, lori 1or 81,
= followed, unquestioningly, her big, cage
eyes always alert, always stealthily bus,
>, her breath coming and going fast:
q l. Here we shall not BE disturbed 9
: watched" Dick said, standing aside fo
the woman to enter the 2store-roon1, the
: crossing the threshold quickly, his gaz
never leaving her. -.-- -. 81
She noticed the packing case on the in
: slant Of her entrance; and this time Die
8 was not disappointed. AS =; she caugh
i sight of it her whole body quivered, the
!, stlffened itself. in an effort of the muscle
- to achieve self control. |She took a swift
step which brought her close to: the bi
: open box, with its wooden grating, ben
quickly to look: in. and then as uuickl
moved back. Knight distinctly heard he
utter long, deep-drawn sigh, as sh
Strengthened her white -draped body, an
stood. her face turned once more iowa I'd
nun, as II waiting instructions. He. woul
EhaVe given a good deal to know Whethe
Il that sigh expressed relief or despair; bu
in either case he was certain that hi
strange companion had had some .previo11
/ knowledge of the box and its vanishe
contents. T.. ..." ~ a,..-G@zl -
He felt now that, il, ever, his .niomen
- had come. He did not give the woma
time to recover herself before the alta cl
w ell he said, brusquely, *twhat d
! you know about that packing case?''
The woman stared. e; monsieur?
know nothing except what I see
!; Il am sorry remarked Dick .'to con
= : trad1ct a lady; but you force me to b
dfscourteous. Would it not be simpler t
! tell me the truth now, since YOU mus
tell it in the end? Why do you. suppos
III brought you on board this yacht afte
refusing to do so when you suggested
lat first % -
The white draped figure moved un
easily. The big eyes flashed a look pas
Dick at the door of the store room. mon
s1eur wished to hear more Of the danger
that threaten him and one he loves
If you really believe that you pa
my talent for acting a compliment. Whe
| first met you I was certainly taken il
(: thought you were genuine tENow
know that you came to me to further vol
own ends rot Miss Markham s. The res
i son got permission to bring you hel
was to give you plenty Of time to unde1
; stand that it would be best to make
clean breast of everything. If YOU wi
2. E&tell me eXactly what Won knouy about ~