Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1907-01-31

an arc lamp, veiled with gauze OF che
faintest yellow. The room would have
been perfect but for horrid blot upon ii
"A blot which stared at me from the
outer Wall with bloodShot eyes and hide
Gus visage. 1t was the picture of mans
head that had been severed from the body.
The picture almost terrified me, but
thought. If no worse harm hefall me,
what odds? and | sat down, all wonder
ing and dazed.
My conclusion was that the man Black
could be showing me this marked consd-
Grafton only for some motive of self-inter-
est. 1t was evident that he had been
aware of my intention to follow him from
the moment when Roderick purchased our
new steamyacht lie had put one of his
own men craftly upon the ship to watch
us, and had made bold attempt 10 deal
with us in mid-Atianuc. Foiled there,
he had taken advantage of my folly in
entering such a place as the Bowery, and
had given orders that | should be carried
to his own ship.
Suddenly the electric light went out. l
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. 1t appeared
that | was to be left unmoested for that
night at any rate. | undressed and lay
down in one of the most seductive beds
have met with at sea. | was so weary
and fatigued with my suferings in the
open boat that 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 |
could look upon a tumbing sea- and sky
all girt with rain clouds. My armchair
was occupied by a man, dressed with
all the scrupulous neatness of thorough
going yachtsman. He had a 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? l didn't wake
you before, because sleep is the best medi-
cine in your case. I'm a doctor, you
know"
va Sou lc lllt pay SlCId u lll-'' biiiiiS
to the crew, | suppose; you must see
good deal of practice"
He looked rather surprised at my mean
ing remark, and then said quite calmly,
Yes, | write good many death Certiti-
Gates. You must be hungry. | viii ring
for breakfast; and, if you would take a
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
bath. I took a bath, and found
him waiting for me when I had finished.
We returned to the scarlet room, and
there spread upon the table was a meal
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 bon-bons in the true Amer
lean fashion. My new friend, the doctor,
said nothing as I ate; but when the re-
past was removed he began to talk at
1nce.
Il regret" he said, that I cannot |
he latest journal that can lend you is
copy of Saturday last. There is pas
sage in it which may interest you"
The paper was folded and marked in |
certain spot. I read it with blank |
for it. was a full account of |
he namelpsS shiD's attack upon the Amer
can cruiser and the Ocean King. The !
natter was the subject of a profound !
ensation --ot only in America, but |
throughout the world. The Chilian gov
rnment had been approa ached at once. hut
lad repudated all knowledge of the mys-
erious ship. Meanwhile war vessels from
England. America and from France had
,et out to scour the seas and bring such
Intelligence as they could. The whole ac-
,ount concluded with the rumor that a
gentleman in New York had knowledge
If the affair and would at once be inter
yiewed.
"You see that interview was unfortu-
lately Interrupted" said the doctor. you
ire the gentleman with the full particu-
afs. | am here to ask you to write accu-
uately for us a complete account of every
step you have raken in this matter since
rou were fool enough to follow Martin
HALL"
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
,er-and to make yourself one of u.s."
THAT I will never do
"Oh, you say that now but we shall
rive you some days to think of it. Let
ne advise you TO be a man of common
sense, and not run your head against
stone wall. We are now bound on a four
lays voyage. During these four days,
you need fear nothing. SO don't disturb
;ourself unnecessarily until Captain
Black puts the question to you"
Go be continued.)
RiEhting Wrong.