Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05
THE WHEEL O. FORTUNE
Continued from page 10

knowledge that evening? As for Dick, he
fancied that the Suez Canal was one of the
roads to Heaven.
Before he climbed into his bunk however,
he reread Forbess letter, and noticed then
that it bore signs of interference, while Won
Kerber, if he had not opened it, must have
jumped to the conclusion that it came from
London solely because the stamp was an Eng
lish one Added to Irenes yelled warning
that all was not well on board, this apparent
tampering with his correspondence bore an
ugly look. 1t almost suggested that the Baron
feared he was what the London inquiry agent
had asked him to become,-the paid spy OF
Alfieri. He wondered what hold the Italian
had on the man. Now that he was able to
examine recent events in perspective, he saw
that Won Kerber had travelled alone from Lon
don with the hope of throwing off his track
anyone who was watching him; and had failed.
1t was evident too that neither Fenshawe nor
his granddaughter, nor Mrs Haxton for that
matter, took pains to keep their whereabouts
unknown, because Dick had seen an announce
ment of the Aphrodite's cruise in London
newspaper brought board by the pilot.
Won Kerber's name was not mentioned; but
the others were described briefly the refer
ence to Mrs. Haxton being that she was "a
persona grata in Anglo-Egyptian society
Why, then, did the Austrian demand such
secrecy from the yachts crew, and be so per-
turbed by the advent of a letter addressed to
one of them!
But Roysons disposition was far too happy
go lucky to permit of serious ponderings on
other peoples business. He laughed and red
dened little when his mind swung round to
the more pleasing memory of the girls frank
sympathy, and he told himself with deep and
convincing earnestnesS that next time they
met he must guard his unruly tongue, else it
might run away with him again, and ind her
in less receptive mood.
Then he fell asleep, and slept soundly too. in
blissful ignorance of a conversation then taking
place in the chart house, though it had the
most direct bearing his own future.
For Won Kerber had seized the opportunity,
when Fenshawe and the two women went be-
low, to draw Stump into private conclave.
I'VE reach Suez tomorrow, Captain, he
said, land that will be our last chance OF
getting rid of any of the crew whom you think
unsuitable
That's So" agreed Stump: but l can't
say I've backlisted any of 'em. The on'y
fault l find with EN- is that there's too many
hands for the work"
All, you regard them as dependable, .yes?'
Good for any game you like to put before
| EN-, ;" was the brisk summary.
That is what l want. But tell me- Cap
tain, will you be able to replace Mr.. Royson!
believe he is useful when it comes to sailing
the yacht; yet have no doubt you can dis
pense with him"
Stump was shrewd in a limited way. He
caught the drift of Won Kerber's comment, and
it did not help to further the scheme which
the latter had in mind
Mr. ROySOn! came the quick grOWl.
What of him? Next to Tagg, he's the best
man in the crowd"
Possibly; but l have reason to believe
that he wishes to return to England"
He hasn't said So
"Not to you, perhaps but l know it is SO,
and do not wish to detain him when our
numbers are already ample for all purposes.
/ am awkwardly placed in the matter, as Mr..
Fenshawe feels under slight obligation to
him: so l shall be glad if you will pay him off
to-morrow,-on a generous basis, of course,
with every allowance for the expenses of the
homeward passage"
WATT" said Stump, moving restlessly
under Won Kerber's fixed gaze. Dye mean
it, mister?"
Il do, most certainly
"Then you'd better fix the business your
self. You engaged him, like the rest of us. l
like the lad, and I'd take it i'll to be axed to
fire him. No, sir, that amt in my depart
ment this trip. It'd be bird of another color
if he was no good; but he's first rater, an
l, for one, will be sorry to lose him. If You
don't take my word for it, ak Tagg He knows
man when he see him, does Tagg, an he
hasn't forgotten that upper cut Mr.. Rovson
gev' land shark in Marseilles when the crowd
set about you.
Stump was profoundly moved, or he would
not have made such long speech. and Won
Kerber knew that his flank attack had failed
Indeed, the gruff sailor had good charged
6Irr with anil ,rrUr tr16p