Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-02-29

Hold onr' said the surgeon quietly.
"No need to get excited"
ooh. WELL" muttered the reporter
with a sudden lapse, possibly you
think I'm romancing. 1t doesn't mat
ter l don't suppose I'd believe it my
self in your place"
but we're heading for the Island"
suggested Forsythe.
That's So" cried Slade. 'Well,
that's all right. Believe or disbelieve
as much as you like. Only get Percy
Darrow off that island. Then Wen
have his version. There are a few
things | want to find out about, my
self"
There are several that promise to be
fairly interesting" said Forsythe I'M
der his breath.
Slade turned to the captain. "Have
you any questions To put to me, SIR"
he asked formally.
"JuSt one moment" interrupted
Trendon. Boy, pony of brandy for
Mr.. Slade."
The reporter drank the liquor and
again turned to Captain Parkinson.
"Only about our men," said the COM
handing officer after little thought.
Slade shook his head.
Pm sorry | can't help you there. sir"
"Dr. Trendon said that you knew
nothing about Edwards"
"Edwards?" repeated Slade inquir
ingly His mind. still absorbed in the
events which he had been relating.
CROPPED backward.
Trendon came to his aid Barnett
asked you about him. you remember.
ness. Our ensign. Took over charge
of the Laughing Lass"
"Oh, of course. | was a little dazed
l fancy"
I'VE put Mr.. Edwards aboard when
we first picked up the deserted schoOn-
err" explained the captain.
Pardon me-" said the other. "My
head doesn't seem to work quite right
yet. Just a moment, please" He sat
silent, with closed eyes. you say you
picked up the Laughing Lass. When:"
he asked presently.
'Four-fiye-six days ago, the first
time"
Then YOU put out the fire."
The circle closed in on Slade, with
an unconscious hitching forward of
chairs. He had fixed his eyes on the
captain His mouth worked Obvi-
ously he was under n tensity of en-
deavor in keeping his faculties set to
the problem. The surgeon watched
him. frOwning.
There was no fire." said the cap
| tain.
Slade leaped in his chair. mo fire!
! But | saw her, l tell you. When
went overheard she was one living
flamer'
| You landed in the small boat
Knocked you senSeless," said Trendon
Conclusion of the brain. Idea OF
flame might have been retroactive
F., hallucination.'
Retroactive rot" cried the other. 81
beg your pardon, DR.. Trendon. but II
you'd seen her as | saw her Bar
nettw
He turned in appeal to his old ac
quaintance.
Il hdo ltpliGN
the executive officer gently. mo sigr
of fire that we could find. except tina
the starboard rail was blistered."
"Oh. that was from the Volcano
said Slade. THAT was nothing"
1T was all there was" returned Bar
nett
Just let me run this thing over,
said the free lance slowly. You found
the schooner. She wasn't afire Sh
didn't even seem to have been afire
You put q crew aboard under your en-
sign, Edwards. Storm separated yol
from her. You picked her up again
deserted. Is that right?"
Day before yesterday morning"
Then" cried the other excitedly
1t broke out, and your men took to tn
water"
Impossible" said Barnett
"Fiddlesticksr' said the more down
: right surgeon.
II hardly think Mr.. Edwards woul
l be driven overheard by d fire whic
} did not even scorch his ship" suggest
ed the captain mildly.
: at drove our lot overheard" insis
ed Slade. do you think we were
5 pack of towards? l tell you, whe
5 that hellish thing broke loose you ha
| to go. 1t wasn't fear. 1t wasn't pail
4 1t was-what's the use? You can't e1
e plain thing like that"
e I'VE certainly saw the glow til
: night Bill Edwards was-disappea
+ ed,' unused Forsythe.
And again night before last" sal
!, the captain.
' whats that?" cried Slade. "Whel
j is the Laughing Lass? Isn't she in tow
I'm tow" said Forsythe. mo, II
: deed. We hadn't adequate facilitiC
for towing her. Didn't you tell hin
Mr.. Barnett?"
a "Where is she, then?" Slade fired IL
e question at them like a cross exam
d liner.
why, we shipped another crew Vi
: der Ives and Mcclure that noon. "
T were parted again and haven't see
: them since"
God forgive your said the reporte
@ "After the warnings you'd had too,