The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-09-11
CHAPTER XVI.
WHO SENT THE MESSAGE

"R { captain Tai6 '2 reached HS out ana mo
grasped Ebens wrist in a
grip Of steel.
The young fellow looked up at him
blankly, he totte-ed, and one OF the
officers jumped forward TO catch him.
Nash rallied and pulled himself to-
gether, stood silent, with drawn mouth
for several minutes. then he looked
again at the paper in his hand
/ What is it? What does IL read?''
cried the captain. grabbing his wrist
again and cIenching mis- hand tightly
about Il so that when he removed them
the flesh was dead white.
1T says
Nash's sentence died in his mouth. \
vague rattle followed and Eben tOppled
over into the arms of one of the Of
ficers.
A light wind blew across the deck at
that moment The paper futtered from
Eben's relaxed fingers and blew TOWARD
the rail.
CAPTAIN Rogers threw himself head
was awake to the happening and plung-
ed after the paper.
MY heaven! Get that papeTr'
screamed the captain, as he stubbed his
toe and went down in heap.
But the little slip Of paper blew IN
der the railing and OF into space
Captain Rogers staggered TO his feet
and cursed the men roundiy. Then
they all rushed back 70 where Eben
lay on the dripping deck, wholly un-
Get some water, Quick shouted
the captain.
Hes only tainted" shouted another
officer, who had dropped to his knees
and felt Of Eben's heart, which was
beating naturally.
The uproar brought several people TO
Z was
Marjory Bonner.
She knelt beside Ebe-l and dashed
the water into his face, which had been
hurriedlv brought BY one Of the men
who had heard the call.
What happened? What happened7,
cried MarjOry, turning round 70 ma
that Hicke and Picketzo had also
rushed TO the scene.
sage and the shock Of II keeled him
over" answered the captain quickly.
Where Is ito" cried Marjory, jump
ing to her feet with such suddenness
gers stared at her with wonder.
What do you know about II girl2
cried Captain Rogers. For som ethinS In
the girls ewes told them all that she
knew something of the contents T the
message that had caused Eben's faint.
81 know all about IT, she cried.
wheeling about abruptly and staring fun
into the confused faces Of Hicke and
Picketzo.
She's gone crazy over love. over love
for the thief there. The thief that would
play with wireless cried Picketzo, his
face growing dark as the girl continued
10 stare at him.
You lie" the captains voice rang
out and al the same moment he hurled
his huge bulk at Picketzo and felled
him TO the slippery deck
"Pick up your cOUrade there, ne SAID
to Hicke In nasty tone.
The change in TIE captain manner
was q great surprise. He hardly un-
derstood it himself, but. turned to the
girl and said.
Now come away from here ana tell
me all YOU know. will your
She paid no attention 70 him, but
dropped again beside Eben and let out
a little pent up cry as she found that
he was coming around nicely and was
already trying 70 mJtter her name as
he looked up full into her eyes.
She soothed him with cool hand on
his forehead. and made him lie still
until he was strong enough 10 talk
cCherently.
Then the captain pushed back the
small excited gathering and carried
Fben. with the help of another officer,
to the bridge. MarioTy followed, at
the captains request, and Mr.. Bonner
Joined the party.
When all were I'm the captains cabin
and the door was closed. Eben was
asked what the message contained
His mind evidently had received such
shock that - was hard for him to
remem Der the axact cause.
ct said-let me Sec, he unused.