Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-07

II iudlhS are SOsHSs ue CIItu, d.N
paused in hopelessness of adequate ex-
preston.
This has been a bitter cruise for
u.s." continued the captain He sigh
ed and was silent for moment.
There is much to tell and TO be told
he resumed
Much" agreed the other gravely.
You will want to see Slade first.
presumef" said the captain.
lone of your officers whom l have
not yet had the pleasure of meeting?'
The captain stared. "Slade." he
said Ralph Slade."
apparently there's a missing link
Or-I fear | was not wholly myself
yesterday for a time. Possibly some
thing occurred that did not quite take
in"
Perhaps we'd better wait" said
Captain Parkinson, with obvious mis-
giving. You're not quite rested. You
will feel more like
IF you don't mind" said barrow
composeilly, ia like to get at this
thing now. I'm in excellent under
standing, l assure you."
''Yeiy We'll I am speaking of the
man who acted as mate in the Laugh,
ing Lass. The journalist who Good
heavens, What arrant stupidity.
have to beg your pardon, Mr.. barrow.
1t has just occurred to me. He called
himself Eagen with YOU
"Eagen, What is this? Is Eagen
alive?"
And on this ship. We picked him
up in an open boat"
And you say he calls himself
Slade?"
He is Ralph Sladc, adventurer and
journalist. Mr.. Barnett knows him
and votchcs for him"
And he was on our island under an
assumed name" said barrow in tones
that had the smoothness and the rasp
of silk. Rather annoying. Not good
form quite. even for pirate"
Yet believe he saved your. life"
suggested the captain.
barrow looked up sharply Why.
yes" he admitted, so he did had
hoped He checked himself Il had
thought that all of the crew went the
same way. You didn't find any of the
others -
None"
barrow got to his feet. Il think I'd
like 10 see Eagen-Slade-w whatever he
calls himself"
Il don't know" began the captain
1T might not be- He hesitated and
stopped.
Darrow drew back little. misinter-
prcting the others attitude do IN
derstand that 1 am under restraint"
he asked stitIIy.
Certainly not. Why should you be-"
Well" remarked the other contem-
platively, 1T really might be regarded
| as a subject for investigation. OF
course l know only a small part OF it
But there have certainly been suspi
, cious circumstances. Piracy there has
been, no doubt of that; murder, too, ii
Ely intuitions are not at fault. or a
| least a disappearance to he accounted
| for. Robbery cant be denied AnC
there's dead body or two to be prop
ecly accredited" He looked the cap
tain in the eye.
"Well:"
You'll find my story highly unsatis
factory in detail, l fancy. l merel,
want to know whether I'm to presen
it as a defense or only an explana
| ton"
we shall be glad to hear your stor!
when you are ready to tell it-afte
you have seen Mr. Slade"
Thank YOU" said barrow simply
You have heard his?"
Yes. 1t needs filing i'm
"When may see him?"
That's for DR.. Trendon to say. h
came to us almost dead I'll find out.
The surgeon reported Slade mucl
better. but all a-quiver with excite
ment
Hate to put the strain on him." saiC
he. But he'll be in a fever till he get
this thing off his mind. Send Mr.. Oar
row to him"
After a moments consideration Oar
row said, 81 should like to have yor
and DR. Trendon present, Captain
Parkinson. while ! ask Eagen one o
two questions"
Understand one thing, bfr. barrow,
said Trendon briefly, this is not to b.
an inquisition."
Abr said Darrow, unmoved. I'm
to be neither defendant nor prosecu
tor"
You are to respect the condition o
DR.. Trendon's patient, SIR" said Cap
tain Parkinson, with emphasis. "Out
side of that your attitude toward
man who has twice thought of you
life before his own is for you to dc
termine."
No little cynicism lurked in barrow
tones as he said:
You have confidence in Mr.. Slade
alias Eagen?"
Yes" replied Captain Parkinson i
tone that closed that topic.
Still, l should be glad to have 20
gentlemen present IL only for me
ment," insisted barrow presently.
Perhaps it would be as well-on az
count of the patient" said the surgeo
significantly.
VERY WELL" assented the captain.
The three went to SHADES cabin II