Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-12
THE MYSTERY
BY ADAMS.
Copyright. &

where Trendon was closeted with him for
half an hour. When he emerged he was
beset with questions.
Cant give any account OF himself yet"
| sad the surgeon. Weak an. not rightly
| conscious.
! What ails him.
Enough. Cash in his scalp. Fever
Thirst and exhaustion. Nervous shock, too.
| think.
How came he aboard the Laughing
Lass" Does he know anything of Billy"
| about Ives and McGure?' How came he
in the small boat Where are the rest?"
Now, now said the veteran chidingly
| How can l tell? Would you have me kill
the man with questions"
| He left them to look at the body of the
| bos'ns mate. Not word had he to say
when he returned Only the captain got
anything out of him but growing and I'M
| Ineligible expressions, which seemed to be
objurgatory and to express bewildered cogi-
tation.
drowned?" the captain had asked him, and
| Trendon replied:
Capt. Parkinson. the man wasn't
| drowned. No water in his lungs.
| Not drowned Then how came he by his
| death?'
IF were to diagnose it under any other
conditions i should say that he had inhaled
| flames
! Then the two men stared at e oh other in
blank impotency. Meantime the scarecrow
was showing signs of returning cons cious-
physician. On his way he met Barnett. who
| asked and received permission to accom-
pany him. The stranger was tossing rest
| lessly in his bunk, opening and shutting his
| parched mouth in silent. piteous appeal for
the water that must still be doled out to
| him parsimoniously.
| II think III try him with a little
brandy said Trendon, and sent for the
| liquor.
Barnett raised the patient while the sur
geon held the glass to his lips. The mans
ha,, I.l.. 4 na,
| 'All right, my friend Take 1t yourself, If
you like said Trendon.
| The fingers closed. TREMENDOUSLY held the
little glass tilted and ratified against the
teeth There was one deep, eager spasm of
| swallowing. Then the fevered eyes opened
upon the face of the Wolverines first Off
GER
"Prosit Barnett said the man, in a
| voice like the rasp of rusty metal.
The navy man Strengthened up as from a
| blow under the jaw.
| BE careful what you are about" warned
| Trendon, addressing his superior officer
sharply, for Barnett had all but let his
| charge drop. His face was a puckered
mask of amaze and incredulity.
Did you hear him speak my nane-or am
| dreaming?" he half whispered.
Heard him plain enough. Who is he?"
| The mans eyes closed, but he smiled a
lttle-a singular, wry-mouthed, winning
| smile. With that there sprung from behind
the brush of beard, filling out the deep lines
| Of cancellation, a memory to the recognition
| OF Barnett; a keen and gay countenance
that whisked him back across seven years
time to the days of Dewey and the Philip
pines.
Ralph Slade. by the Lord" he ex-
| claimed
"Of the Laughing Lass?" cried Trendon.
"Of the Laughing Lass
face of Barnett that Trendon cautioned
him. See here, Mr. Barnett. you're not
going to fire a broadside of disturbing
questions at my patient yet while. He's
! In no condition.
But 1t was from the other that the ques-
tons came. Opening his eyes he whispered.
The sailor? Where?'
Dead said Trendon bluntly. Then
breaking his own rule Of repression. he
asked:
Did he come off the schooner with you?'
picked him up was the straining an
swer. Drifting"
The survivor looked around him, then into
| Barnett's face, and his mind, too, traversed
=! the years.
North Dakota?" he queried.
No; I've changed my ship" said Barnett.
This is the Wolverine"
| where's the Laughing Lass?'
| Barnett shook his head
Tell me- begged Slade.
wait till you're stronger" admonished
| Trendon.
eyes grew wild
Mr.. Barnett, tell him the bare outline
and make it short" said the surgeon.
I'VE sighted the Laughing Lass two days
ago. She was In good shape, bit deserted.
That is, we thought she was deserted
The man nodded eagerly.
| Il suppose you were aboard. said Bar
nett, and Trendon made quick gesture of
| Impotence and rebuke
No" said Slade. Left three-four-
don't know how many nights ago.
| The officers looked at each other Go
on said Trendon to his companion.
1--WE put a crew aboard in command Of
an ensign" continued Barnett, and picked
up the schooner the next night deserted
| know il jS ly
| EdwardS?'
Never heard of him. whispered the
other.
lives and Mcclure. then. They were
there after Great God man. he cried
his agitation breaking out, Pull yourself
! together! Give something to go on.
| Mr.. Barnett!' said the surgeon peremp-
torily.
But the suggestion was working in the
sick mans brain. He turned to the officers
a face of horror.
Your man. Edwards-the crew-they left
her? In the nght?''
What does he mean?" cried Barnett.
| THE light! You saw it?'
| Yes; saw a strange light" answered
Trendon soothingly. S!ade half rose. Lost
all LOST he cried. and fell back uncon-
scious. Trendon exploded into curses See
what you've done to my patient he fumed.
Barnett looked at him with contrite eyes.
Better get out before he comes to-
growled the surgeon Nice way to treat
| a man half dead of exhaustion"
1t was nearly an hour before Slade came
back to the world again. The doctor for
babe him to attempt speech. But one thing
he would not be denied. There was a
struggle for utterance. then:
The volcano?" he rasped out.
Dead ahead was the reply.
I Stand by!' gasped Slade. He strove
to rise, to say something further, but en-
durance had reached its limit. The man
was utterly done.
DR.. Trendon went on deck, his head sunk
| between his shoulders. For minute he
| was in earnest talk with the captain Pres
| emily the Wolverines engines slowed down
and she lay head to the waves. with just
| CROUCH turn of the screw to hold her
against the seaway.
| Ito be Continued Tomorrow