The San Francisco call., 1907-02-03
The San Francisco Sunday Call.
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the ring, into nv waistcoat pocket and
moved back to the white ratings. /
leaned against them. and, taking
pipe aud tobacco from my pocket, be
gan to smoke.
Strangely enough I had now recov-
cred my nerve. | was able 10 think
and reason calmly The woman at the.
lodge had taken ii for granted that
this mans body had been thrown up
bv the sea Was that q possible con-
clusionl There was a line all down
the sand where the tide had reached,
a struggling uneven line marked with
huge masses of wet seaweeds, frag-
ments Of timber, the fiotsam and jetsam
OF the sea. The creek where the mans
body was lying was forty yards above
this. Yet on such night who could
say where those great breakers, driv-
en- in by the wind as well as by their
own mighty force, might not have cast
their prey? within few yards OF
him was q Jagged mass OF timber. The
cause of those wounds would be obvi-
ous enough. / felt the ring in my
waistcoat pocket-it was there, safely
CROUCH hidden. and / looked toward the
lodge. As yet there were no signs OF
John or the cart.
But behind me. coming from the VII
lage. j heard the sound of light and
rapid footsteps I turned my head. 1t
stick in her hand, a feather stuck
through her Tam Shanter.
Good morning" she cried out hearth
ly; i've been to call at your cottage"
Very kind OF you" I answered, hesi-
tafingly.
Miss Moyat was good hearted. but
little overpowering-and in certain
moods she remip6ed me of her father.
oh. / had an errand" she explained,
laughing. Father said il ] saw you I
was to say that he has to call on the
Duke this afternoon. and, il YOU liked,
he would explain about your lecture
last night. and try and get the village
hall for you for nothing. The Duke
is very good natured. and If he knows
thinks he might let you have it for
nothing"
1t is very kind of your father
answered Il do not think that 1 shall
ever give that lecture again"
why not2" she protested. II am
sure / thought il a beautiful lecture,
and I'm not keen on churches and ruins
myself" she added. with a laugh which
somehow grated upon me. What are
you doing here?"
watching the dead" I answered
grimly.
She looked at me for an explanation.
] pointed to the dark object by the side
of the creek. She gave a violent start
Then she screamed and caught hold of
my arm.
it?'
"A dead man. I answered
Her face was a strange study. There
was fear mingled with unwholesome
curiosity. the heritage of. her natural
lack OF refinement. She leaned over
the palings.
Il don't know whether / want to. look
or not. I've never seen any one dead"
Il should advise you" ! said, ito go
away"
1t was apparently the last thing she
desired to do. or the various emotions
which had possessed her, curiosity was
the one which survived.
asked
Quite / answered.
Was he drowned, them"
Il think" replied, that he has been
washed UP by the tide There has
probably been shipwreck."
'Gracious" she exclaimed. 1T is just
a sailor, then?"
II have not looked at his face"
answered, "and I should not advise
YOU to. He has been tossed about and
injured. His clothes, though, are not
a seaman's."
She passed through a gap in the
palings.
Il must look just a little closer"
she exclaimed. DO come with me, Mr.
Ducaine. I'm horribly afraid"
Then don't go near him." advised.
"A dead man is surely not a pleasant
spectacle for you. Come away, Miss
Moyat"
But she had advanced to within
couple Of yards OF him. Then she
stopped short, and a little exclamation
escaped from her lips
Why, Mr.. Ducaine,' she cried out
this is the very man who stopped me
last night outside our house. and asked
the way to your cottage"