The Washington times., 1909-09-04
SAILING IN CIRCLES

so that Ebep could not catch word.
IL was all very weird and strange 20
MN. this Guiet plotting and these
strange aCtiuns.
Their Whispered conversation was evil
IDENTITY In Italian. and as Eben was IA
miliar with none bat the English tongue
ne could only guess at the meaning
Evidently Hicke was asking for an
account Of PiCketzo's experience. for
the little Italian was telling him with
great volubility and many signs that
something or Utler unthOught of had
happened while he had been out
SO much Eben gathered from the
intOnation and signs. Yet he could not
be certain that his conjectures were
correct.
The low talk went on for some min
utes, and doubtless would have lasted
much longer II Bonner had not sudden
~ turned in his sleep and sat up in
Picketzo started to slip into his bunk
with quick motion.
The awakened Bonner cried out at
that moment:
What's the matter2'
There was no answer. Suddenly Eben
saw an opportunity to stretch and re-
lieye himself Of the. horrid tension he
had been under. So ne started up sud
denly in bed and cried.
What was that?'
Hello That you. Nash?' came Bon
ner's voice in reply.
Yes. what's up?'
Nothing, I guess. 7 was awakened
by something or other and caught a
motion in the bunk. opposite. Say, Mr..
Hicke2 Anything the natter
Hicke voice, with an assumed note
OF drowsiness answered, in a decided
English drawl:
Il don't know. I'm sure I'll ask my
friend I was just awakened myself"
He broke off and called, "Picketzoi"
Yes Yesr' came the Italians reply.
In a clustered voice.
What's up? Did you have night
mare, roll out Of bed. or what" You
Eben knew that the Englishman's re-
mark was to give the duller Italian
cue for reply.
thing went round and round"
like our friend Nash" replied Hickc
NO, l guess IL was not that
wei, wen 20 back TO sleep, as long
as there's nothing the matter said
Bonner.
There was silence for some time. and
Hicke had already recommended his
affected sP5re when Bonner called out:
How are you feeling now, Nash2'
"A little better, thanks replied the
young fel4O=-
That's good Hope you'll be all
mended in the morning answered Bon
Then everybody went 70 sleep except
Eben, for he lay awake wondering, too
sick TO sleep.
The ease with which the little Italian
had unlocked his trunk still bothered
him.
He thought Il over for some time,
and then came TO the conclusion that
the captains watch must have been
stolen and hidden IN his trunk by
Picketzo. The little Italian already
seemed very familiar with the con-
tents OF Eben's trunk. so the conjecture
was rather a sound one
Finally. toward morning. Eben fell
into a troubled sleep.
When he awakened he felt that II was
already midday. but Il was still dark in
the cabin and the port hole was closed,
the ship rocking terribly and the fog
horn still blowing.
EbeE found that he was the only one
in the room, and was just summOning
the strength to crawl out Of bed and
try 10 dress when he stopped suddenly
/ al q strange voice without, evidently
calling to some one passing down the
corridor.
Have you heard the news2" asked
the voice, in an awed tone that vibrated
through Eben's whole being. for there
was a dread sound about the voice, a.
forebOding OF more trouble"
Fbens mind Immediately flashed TO
the mysterious actions OF Pfcketzo the
night before.
The Continuation of This Story VIII
BE Found In TOmorrovy's
Issue of The Times.