Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-11
THE MYSTERY
BY STEWART EDWARD WHITE AND SAMUEL HOPKINS ADAMS.
Copyright, Mcclure. 4

piercingly brilliant jeweled wonder OF a
ship was set In the midst of swirl of vari-
colored radiance such as l can't begin to
describe. You saw it from distance.
Imagine what 1t was, coming close upon you
that way-dead on, out of the night. A Iiv-
ing glory. living terror :"
His voice sank. With a shaking hand he
I fumbled amid his cigarette papers.
1T came A human figure, glowing
like a diamond ablaze. leaped out from it;
another shot down from the foremost I
don't know how many 1 go. 1t was
like theatric effect unreal. unconvincing,
incredible. The end fitted it.
Darrow's eye roved. 1t fell upon a quaint
ly modelled ship. hung above the door.
Whats that?" he cried.
Fool thing some Malay gave me-" grunt-
ed Trendon. Pretended to be grateful be-
cause I cut his foot off. No good. Go on
with the story
mo good? You don't care what happens
| to it?'
Meant to heave it overheard before
| now growled the other.
Some one handed 1t down to barrow
IF I had something to hold enough wa
ter" muttered he. I'd like to float it. I'd
like to see for myself how it worked out.
I'd like to see that devil-work in action
He spoke feverishly.
Boy, fill the portable rubber tub in Mr.
Forsythe's cabin and bring it here" ordered
the captain.
That will do" said Darrow, recovering
himself
He floated the model In the tub
Now. 1 don't know low this will come
out" he said. Nor do 1 know why the
Laughing Lass met her fate under Ives and
Mcguire, and not before. Perhaps the chest
lay open longer long enough, any
way. Well try it,
From his pocket he took curious small
phial.
rs that What DR.. Schermerhorn gave
you?" asked Slade.
Yes" said Darrow. He set it carefully
| inside the little model and slipped lever
he lioh
faint glow shot up 1t grew bright and
| eddiea in lovely. variant colors. As If set to
| a powder train, it ran through the ship.
| The pale faces of the spectators shone
CHASTITY In its radiance. From some one
! burst a sudden gasp.
There is not enough for danger" said
! barrow. quietly.
LAS a point of interest,"" grunted Tren-
| don.
Every one looked at his outstretched hand.
A little pocket compass lay in the palm.
! The needle spun mady, projecting blue,
vivid sparklings.
my God!' cried slade. and covered his
| eyes for moment
| He snatched away his hands as sup
] pressed cry went up from the others.
LAS l expected" said barrow quietly.
| The little craft opened out; 1t disintegrat-
| ed. All that radiance dissolved and with
| it's going the substance upon which 1t
shaped itself vanished. The last glow
| showed a formless pulp, spreading upon the
| water.
so passed the Laughing Lass" said Oar
| row solemnly
| And the chest is at the bottom Of the
| sea-" said Barnett.
Good place for it, muttered Trendon.
"In all probability 1t closed the ship
| dissolved around it, said Darrow. 10Th
| erwise we should see the effects in the
| water"
TT might be recovered" cried Slade
| citedy. Gould you chart 1t, Darrow?
| Think of the possibilities
Let it lie." said the captain. Has 1t
| not cost enough? Let it lie"
The water in the tub fumed and sparkled
family and was still Darkness fell.
| cept where Darrows cigarette point glowed
| and faded.
THE END.