The Washington times., 1909-08-30
CHAPTER II.
THE FOURTH MAN.

= BEN NASH could hardly believe his
IL ears. The curious conversation con-
corning him, which he had heard
by chance. left him with a vague
sense OF impending trouble.
What reason could these two men
have for talking about him in such a
suspicious manner What was their
purpose?
The thought bothered him not a little.
Alone on the chip, without a friend. and
forced TO spend the entire journey in
that staterOom with those W men.
Eben felt a great unessiness. He real
lied his inexperience, and worried
nightly.
We'll. he said suddenly. Il know one
thing, I'm going to gel out of that room
II possible. They've got something up
their sleeves. and I'm not going to be
around with them. that's the surest
thing I know"
Jumping TO his feet he threw his
steamer rug over one arm and walked
toward Jhe purser's office.
Wonder what II can be about nv be-
ing an electrician? II may be that their
conversation concerned something very
simple, and that 1 am making a fool of
myself in getting scared. But 1 haven't
had much experience with foreigners.
I've heard plenty Of stories about them.
and I'm not going to run any chances,
that's all there Is to IT."
With that idea in mind he con-
%fronted the purser. a stern. bewhisk-
cred individual, who resembled a Gin
namon bear.
II should like 10 change my state
ROOM" said Eben.
Can't be done, sir" replied the Of
hcer.
What is the complaint you have TO
make?" queried the other.
Nash thought for a moment.
None he said finally. except that
I don feel easy in the room"
How many are there in it2"
-Four. 1 object to that" said Eben.
having the glimmering Of an excuse.
But YOU knew there would be four
when you booked. didn't you. young
mani"
"Yes."
Then 1 can't see that you have any
complaint to make" The purser
looked at him critically. almost sus-
piciously.
I'll pay more money 10 get into
another ROOM said Eben Nash.
Everything else is fun up" re-
I sponded the officer.
In spite Of further arguments, Ebeu
was unable 10 make any change. II
was ordained that IL he were to sleeu
at all IT would be IN the room with
Picketzo and Hicke.
Beside a fear that one Of the for
eigners might murder him in his
sleep. or something else as gruesome
Nash knew that they would have ac-
cess 10 his steamer trunk and suit
case, for even n he kept them locked
Eben knew that II was very simple "a
pick the lock on n trunk or bag.
He tried TO make himself think
that his fears were foolish, hut in
spite Of all attempts the fact remain.
ed that he was greatly worried con.
corning Hicke and Pfcketzo.
He had anticipated a glorious trip
had left New York city with a feellna
as though he had wings. Then he had
become a bit homesick and discourage
with the departure OF the ship. After
that had come the peculiar converse.
ton.
The boat had not been gone from shor,
an hour and Eben Nash had already be.
gun 10 fear the trip. II was unaccount.
able TO him. He could not place hi,
finger on the doubt. But someWhere
within him vas a strange premouition.
something that told him 70 beware
something hat said there was trouble
in store for him.
He could not shake on the thing n
held him I'm a powerful grip. He wan.
dere about the ship in an aimless man
ner and his mind clicked mechanically.
Finally he found himself IN the smok-
ing room. Sitting down beside a quiet
little man, smoking a long cigar, Ebeu
watched a poker game at a table in
front OF them.
II diverted his mind and for a time
he forgot the troubles that had been
thrust upon him the moment he had
gone aboard ship.
Then the man beside him spoke. He
made some trivial remark about tho
weather. followed Il up with something
concerning the game. and almost be.
fore Nash knew IL. they were engaged
IN conversation. The man had a quiet
fatherly way that appealed 20 Nash
and the young fellow hoped that they
would be friends during the trip. II
would help him 20 forget his two sus.
picious roommates. n Nash had be.
gun 10 think OF the fourth man In The
staterooH, whom ne had not seen yet
as another person OF the same type "a,
the little italian and the long English.
man.
Have YOU settled down all right in
your roomT' asked the quiet little man
with whom Eben had struck up a con.
v%ersation.
well. I've got my stuff an there.
answered Eben. but Y don't think that
] shall like Il much"
Not like IL. why?' queried the other
Well, l don't think I have very con-