Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-11
v.
The Disappearance.


When Barnett came on deck very early
in the morning of June he found DR..
Trendon already up and staring moodily
out at the Laughing Lass. AS the night
was calm the tow had made fair time to-
ward their port in the Hawaiian group.
The surgeon was muttering something
which seemed to Barnett to be in for
eign tongue.
Thought out any clue, doctor?" asked
the first officer.
Petit Chel-Pshaw. Jolie Celimene!
No." muttered Trendon. "Mare-Marie-
I've got it! The Marie Celeste
Got what? What about her?"
parallel case" said Trendon. Sailed
from New York back in the seventies
Seven weeks out was found derelict
Everything in perfect order. Captains
wife's hem on the machine. Boats all &C
counted for. No sign of struggle. Log
written to within forty-eight hours
What became of the crew."
"Wish I could tell you. Might help to un-
ravel our tangle." He shook his head in
sudden, unwonted passion.
Evidently there's something criminal in
her record" said Barnett, frowning at the
fusty schooner astern. otherwise the
name wouldn't be painted OUT
painted out long ago. See how rusty it
is Schermerhorn's work maybe" replied
Trendon. Secret expedition. remember"
I'm the name Of wonders, why should he
do it?''
.'Secret expedition, wasn't it?"
"Um-ah; that's true said the other
thoughtfully. Its quite possible"
gentlemen rsa in '' the ward room, If You
please" came message.
Below they found all the officers gath
cred. Captain Parkinson was pacing up
and down in Uncontrolled agitation.
Gentlemen" he said, I'VE are facing a
problem which, so far as I know. Is with
out parallel. 1t is my intention to bring
the schooner which We have in tow to port
at Honolulu. In the present unsettled
weather we cannot continue to tow her. 1
wish two officers to take charge. Under
the circumstances I shall issue no orders.
The duty must be voluntary"
Instantly every man, from the veteran
Trendon to the youthful paymaster, vol
untered.
"That is what I expected" said Capt.
Parkinson quietly. But I have still a
mind that the schooner has twice been be-
set by the gravest of perils. Nothing less
would have driven Mr.. Edwards from his
post. All of us who know him will appre-
the darkest forebodings as to his fate and
that Of his companions. But as to the
nature of the peril I am unable to make
any conjecture worthy Of consideration
Has any one a theory to of1er?
There was a dead silence.
"Mr Barnett? DR.. Trendon? Mr.. Ives?''
"Is there not possibly some connection
between the unexplained light which we
have twice seen. and the double desertion
of the ship" suggested the first officer,
after pause.
II have asked myself that over and over
Whatever the source of the light and
however near to 1t the schooner may have
been, she is evidently unharmed?"
eyes, SIR" said Barnett. THAT seems t.
vitiate that explanation"
IT thank you, gentlemen, for the
promptitude of your Offers" continued the
| captain. I'm this respect you make my
| duty the more difficult. shall accept Mr.
| Ives because Of his familiarity with sail
| ing craft and with these seas" His eyes
ranged the group.
~ beg your pardon, Capt. Parkinson,
| eagerly put in the paymaster, ''but I've