The Republican journal., 1909-10-14
THE PURSER's STORY.

THE PURSER'S STORY.
had scarcely got my accounts fairly
in hand when l was interrupted by
slight tap at the door. at once opened
it, and there stood Mrs. Melhurst's Cana
dian maid, with flushed face and nervous,
agitated manner.
Mrs Melhurst's compliments, sir, and
would you come down to her stateroom
immediately
She was about to make some eager
statement, but pulled herself up suddenly
and tripped along the deck without an
other word.
l locked the door and hurried away
after her When got to Mrs. Melhurst's
stateroom, saw at once that something
had occurred to cause her serious anxiety.
The berths, the couch, and even the floor
were Uttered with the contents of cabin
trunks and handbags. In the midst of
the confusion stood the lady herself,
looking decidedly perplexed and annoyed.
This is very singular, Mr.. Morse,
she said, pointing to an empty jewel case
which lay open on the upper berth. my
diamond ornaments are missing.
''You don't say SOP l exclaimed in
sheer amazement. ''How did it happen?"
Il cannot possibly tell you. At dinner
this evening l happened to mention to
Mrs. Latimer that | had picked up cur
tinent. She expressed a wish to see it.
When the table was cleared | came in
here, took out the brooch, and left the
jewel case lying on the berth. l was
careful to lock the door, but when l came
back the case was empty"
'How long were you absent?'
mot more than half an hour"
"You are sure you had the key in your
possession all the time?"
positive. Inever let it out of my
hand while was in the saloon
l examined the lock carefully, but there
was nothing to show that it had been
tempered with. | could hitupon no better
suggestion than that Mrs. Melhurst had
mislaid the jewels. This had the sole
effect of exasperating the lady to such
degree-for she had already searched
every hole and corner in the cabin-that
was glad to beat retreat in order to
lay the matter before the captain.
| had Just got to the head of the saloon
stairs when heard someone bounding up
after me. turned and saw Mr.. Carter,
who had made several previous voyages
with US.
81 say, Morse. he said. taking me
confidently by the arm, "you have got
some queer customers on this ship. Some
ones walked off with my silver cigarette
case, a couple of rings and pair of
gold"
The deuceH"
''Well, it looks as if that individual had
hand in the business, for l don't see
how any ordinary mortal could get into
ones cabin, with the door bolted on the
inside, unless he squeezed through the
portfolio.
Tell me exactly what has happened?"
You see, l went to my stateroom
after dinner feeling bit drowsy. l
bolted the door, can swear to that and
| remember flinging the cigarette case,
rings, and pair of gold sleeve links on
the upper berth. Then | stretched my
self upon the couch and had downright
good snooze. When got up about five
minutes ago, | found my trinkets had
vanished"
Pom my word, things were beginning
to look serious, and no mistake! lost no
time in hunting up the Captain and made
him acquainted with the state of affairs.
We determined to keep close watch |
upon the staterooms in future. 1t was
pretty evident we had a ''black sheep"
on board probably an old hand at the
business. For the next few days we had
evidently Lying low" waiting until
tranquility was restored before making
fresh attempt. Meanwhile l kept my
eyes open. | observed the little pecu-
liarities of the different passengers and
took particular note of the manner in
which they occupied their time.
On board ship, when you find man
who shows marked preference for his
own society, and if in addition to this he
happens to be of an uncommunicative
disposition, with black hair and swarthy
complexion, given to wearing a SLOUGH
hat and long cloak, rightly or wrongly
you put HIM down as decidedly suspic
ious character.
Now, we happened to have a passenger
on board-a Brazilian named De Castro
who tailed in every way with this descrip
ton. But for the fact that had conclu-
sive evidence to show he could not have
been directly concerned in the robberies-
for inquiries proved that he had remained
on deck the whole evening-he certainly
would have been treated to private in
terview in the Captains cabin.
Nothing further occurred to excite sus-
picion until the last day or two of the
voyage. Then, one evening after dinner
word was brought to me that three other
state-rooms had been rifed in the same
mysterious manner. Watches, jewelry
and even money had disappeared, though
in all three cases the passengers stouty
declared they had left their doors locked
When the alarm reached me happened
to be standing in my deck Office. had
in my hand twenty sovereigns which |
had just taken in exchange for American
money to accommodate one of the pas
sengers. didn't wait to lock up the
gold, but simply placed it on my desk, |
switched off the light and hurried away.
had no fears for the safety of the SOW
ereigns, my door having particularly
intricate lock, in which took good care
to turn the key before leaving.
l remained below for an hour or so in
vestigating these fresh complaints, but,
as in other cases. was utterly unable to
make head or tail of them. Vexed and |
bewildered, went back to my Office, I'M
locked the door, turned on the light, and |
mechanically stretched out my hand to |
take the sovereigns from my desk. My !
1