Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-02-04

ne asked, at the same time reaching
iCr ii.
The doctors thin figure seemed fair
y to shrink at the idea o.
NO. no. he cried. ut is not for
you to carry
He FASTENED up the gangplank.
clutching the chest close. At the top
Captain Seiover met him.
Hello DOCTOR he squealed. Here
in good time. We're busy. you see.
Let me carry your chest for you"
NO, nor DR.. Schermerhorn fairly
glared.
It's almighty heavy" insisted the
captain. Let me give you a hand"
You must not touchr' emphatically
ordered the scientist. where ISIS the
cabin:"
He disappeared down the compan-
ionway clasping his precious load.
The young man remained on deck to
Superintend the slowing of the scien-
tific goods and the personal baggage.
All this time l had been thinking
| buSily. l remembered distinctly one
other instance when DIR. Schermerhorn
had disappeared. He came back in
scrutably, but within Il week his re-
suits on aerial photography were pub
| lie property. ! told myself that in the
present instance his lavish use of mon
ey, the elaborate nature of his prep
ardtions, the evident secrecy of the ex-
petition as evidenced by the fact that
he had negotiated for the vessel only
the day before setting sail. the impor-
| lance of personal supervision as proved
! by the fact that he-notoriously i'm
practical in practical matters and no
toriously diSliking anything to do with
business had conducted the affair
himself instead of deleGating it-why.
gentlemen, don't you see that all this
was more than enough to wake me up.
body and soul? Suddenly I came to
definite resolution. Captain Selover
had descended to the pier. l approach
ed him.
You need q mate" said l.
He looked me over.
Perhaps" he admitted where's
your MANI"
Right here" said l.
His eyes widened a little. Otherwise
he showed no sign of surprise.
cursed my clothes.
Fortunately l had my masters GER
tificate with me-I'd passed fresh wa
ter on the great lakes-I always carry
that sort of document on the chance
that it may come handy. 1t Glanced
to have n couple of naval indorse-
ments, results of the late war
Look here | said before l gave
it to him. You don't believe in me.
My clothes are too good. That's all
good. I'm broke. l came down here
wondering whether I'd better throw
myself in the drink"
You look like dude" he squeaked.
"Where did you ever ship?"
/ handed him my certificate. The
Endorsements from Admiral Keays and
Captain Arnold impressed him. He
stared at me again, and CLEAN of
cunning crept into his-eyes.
Nothing crooked about thisY' he
breathed softly.
l had the key to this side of his
character. You remember had over
heard the night before his statement
of his moral scruples. l said nothing
but looked knowing.
What was it?'' he murmured
"Plain desertion or something worse?
l remained inscrutable.
well" he conceded, 81 do need O
mate, and naval man-even If he Is
wantin' to get out of sight
HE won't spit on your decks any
way" ! broke in boldly.
Captain Selover's hairy face bristlet
about the mouth. This / subsequently
discovered was symptom of n grin.
"You saw that, eh?' he trebled.
aren't you afraid he'll bring dow
the police and delay your sailingT'
asked.