The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1907-02-16

IN are lanp. veiled with Cause q ehs
faintest yellow. The room would have
been perfect but for horrid blot upon It
IA blot which stared at me from the
outer wall with bloodshot eyes and hide.
Gus visage. It was the picture OF mans
head that had been severed from the body.
The picture almost terrified me, but ]
thought, If no worse harm befan me,
what odds? and I sat down, all wonder.
ing and dazed.
My conclusion was that the man Black
could be showing me this marked consid-
Grafton only for some motive OF self-inter'
est. It was evident that he had been
aware Of my intention to follow him from
the moment when Roderick purchased our
| new steamyacht. He had put one OF his
own men craftily upon the ship to watch
us, and had made bold attempt to deal
with us in mid-Atiantlc. Fooled there,
he had taken advantage Of my folly In
entering such place as the Bowery, and
had given orders that should be carried
to his own ship.
Suddenly the electric light went out.
sat quite still for some half an hour.
There was no noise of movement save on
the deck above, and my own cabin re-
manned as still as the grave. It appeared
that l was to be left unmolested for that
night at any rate. I undressed and lay
down in one of the most seductive beds l
have met with at sea. I was so weary
and fatigued with my sufferings In the
open boat that l fell asleep at once, and
must have slept for many hours. awoke
in the day. The red curtains opposite my
bunk were drawn back, admitting dull
light from a port hole through which l
could look upon tumbling sea, and sky
all girt with rain clouds. My armchair
was occupied by man, dressed with
all the scrupulous neatness Of thorough
going yachtsman. He had bright, open
face, and there was something refined
and polished in his voice.
"Good morning to you," he said; II
hope you have slept we'll? I didn't wake
you before, because sleep is the best medi-
cine in your case. I'm doctor, you
know"
ooh! you're the physician-in-ordinary
to the crew, 1 suppose you must see
good deal of practice"
He looked rather surprised at my mean
ing remark, and then said quite calmly,
Eyes, I write a good many death certifi.
Gates. You must be hungry. l will ring
for breakfast; and, if you would take
rub, your bathroom is here"
He opened the door in the passage, and
led the way to a cabin furnished with
marble and brass fittings, wherein was a
fulI-sized bath. 1 took bath, and found
him waiting for me when had finished.
Cd 70 tba lot md
there spread upon the table was meal
worthy of Delmonico's. There was coffee
served with thick cream; there were
choice dishes Of meat, game pies, new
rolls, fruit, and the whole was finished
with ices and bonIbons in the true Amer
lean fashion. My new friend, the doctor,
said nothing as l ate; but when the re-
past was removed he began to talk at
once. s.sa-s.s.
81 regret" he said, that cannot
supply you with a morning newspaper
the latest journal that / can lend you ID
a copy of Saturday last. There is pas
sage in it which may interest you"
The paper was folded and marked In
certain spot. l read it with blank
amazement. for it was a full account Of
the nameless ships attack upon the Amer
lean cruiser and the Ocean King. The
matter was the subject of a profound
sensation, -ot only in America, but
throughout the world. The Chilian gov.
eminent had been approached at once. but
had repudiated all knowledge of the mys-
terious ship. Meanwhile war vessels from
England, America and from France had
set out to scour the seas and bring such
intelligence as they could The whole &C
count concluded with the rumor that
gentleman in New York had knowledge
of the affair and would at once be inter
viewed.
"You see that interview was unfortu-
nately interrupted" said the doctor. "You
are the gentleman with the full particu.
lars. am here to ask you to write accu.
duately for us a complete account of every
step you have taken in this matter since
YOU were fool enough to follow Martin
Hail."
"And otherwise?"
"Otherwise, you would give all you
possessed if l would shoot you now as
you sit. If you would still have life, not
ALTOGETHER under unfavorable conditions,
YOU have but to ask for pen. ink and pa.
per-and to make yourself one of us"
THAT l will never do
"Oh, you say that now: but we shall
give you some days to think of it. Let
me advise you to be man of common
sense, and not run your head against q.
stone wall We are now bound on four.
days voyage. During these four days,
you need fear nothing. So don't disturb
yourself unnecessarily until Captain
Black puts the question to you"
Ito be continued.)