Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1908-02-24

Captain Parkinson, stiff and
erect in his chair, staring fxedly at
spot two feet above the reporters head,
seemed to weigh as judge weighs the
facts so picturesquely set forth. DR..
Trendon, his sturdy frame half In
shadow, had slouched far down into
himself Only the regard of his keen
eyes fixed upon SHADES face unwaver-
ingly and bit anXiously showed that
he was thinking of the narrator as
we'll as of the narrative. The others
had fallen completely under the spell
of the tale. They sat as children in a
theater, absorbed, forgetful Of the
world around them, wrapped in a more
vivid element. At the close they stir
red and blinked, half dazed by the alb
rupt fall of the curtain.
Slade had told his story with fire,
with something of passion even. Now
he felt the sharp reflex. He muttered
uncertainty beneath his breath and
glanced from one to another of the cir
cled faces.
udl al, ue Salu uuotCdOAls.
There passed through the group a
stir and murmur. Some one broke
into sharp coughing. Chairs, showed
back, grated on the floor.
"Well, of all the extraordinary be-
gan voice ruminatingly and broke off
short as if abashed at its own infrac-
ton of the silence.
That's ALL" repeated Slade, a note
of insistence in his voice. why don't
you say something? Confound you.
why don't you say something's" His
speech rose husky and cracked. Don't
you believe it,"
Hold on" said the surgeon quietly.
mo need to get excited"
"Oh, WELL" muttered the reporter,
with a sudden lapse, possibly you
think I'm romancing. 1t doesn't mat
ter. 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
barrow off that island. Then we'll
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, a 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. e.
Slade shook his head
I'm sorry can't help you there, sir.'
''Dr. Trendon said that you knew
nothing about Edwards"
"Edwards?" repeated Slade inqulr-
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.
1t was when you recovered conscious
ness. Our ensign. Took over charge
Of the Laughing Lass"
"Oh, of course was little dazed,
fancy"
I'VE put Mr.. Edwards aboard when
we first picked up the deserted schoon-
er." 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-nve-six days ago, the first
time"
Then you put out the href"
The circle closed in on Slade, with
an unconscious hitching forward Of
chairs He had fixed bis eyes on the
captain His mouth worked. Obvi-
ously he was under a tensity Of en-
deavOr in keeping his faculties set to
the problem. The surgeon watched
him. frowning.
There was no Ere" said the cap
tain.
slade leaped in his chair. NO FIRE!
But I saw her. I tell you. When /
went overheard she was one living
fame
You landed in the small boat
Knocked you senseless.' said Trendon.
Conclusion Of the brain. Idea Of
fame might have been a retroactive
haliucination."
Retroactive rot cried the other. Il
beg your pardon. DR.. Trendon. but II
you'd seen her as I saw her Bar
nett"
He turnei in appeal to bis old &C
quaintanee
There was no IRE. slade." replied
the executive Officer gently. NO sign
OF FIRE that we could find except that
the starboaTi rail was bIistered7
oh. that was from the Volcano
said SHADE That was nothing"
1t was ali there was" returned Bar
nett.
~Just let ne run this thing over"
said the free lance slowly. You found
the schooner. She wasn't afre. She
Didn't even seem 70 have been aHre-
You put a crew aboard under your en-
sign. Edwards Storm separated Jon
from her. YOu picked her Up again
deserted l. that riZhtT-
e Oar before yesterday morning