The Washington times., 1909-09-07
SAILING IN CIRCLES

"Be sure that it doesn't turn out to
be a boomerang" said Bonner. Then
he became more serious. You know,
he said, I've got your interests at
heart, my boy I'm only skeDtical as
| to what YOU may be able to find out.
Thanks" answered Eben. eff you ii
agree to help me, j think we can PIN
few things on Picketzo and Hicke-
Nou'Ve got my help without ask
Ing" replied Bonner.
All right. Now come with me to
the stateroom while I see what Pick
etzo--"
He broke off abruptly as two fg-
ures emerged from the fog on the
bow at the right of them.
speak of the devil, and he ap-
pears said Eben, under his breath,
as he made out the face of PicketzO
in one of the newcomers.
Hicke was the other. and they
passed Bonner and Nash with moth
ing but mods.
Guilty looking pair, aren't they?"
said Eben.
Yes" admitted Bonner. but I think
you're wrong in your notion that they
have changed the needle or are respon-
sible in any way for the bad luck that s
following this boat"
Maybe not It doesn't look reason
able: Still, I'm going to find out.
With that they left at once for the
Stateroom and began unpacdng the
lower part of Eben's trunk.
while Ehen was lingering over the
articles he had brought along he stopped
suddenly TO listen to the voice of some
one going up the corridor.
I've a notion that the ships sailing
/ in circles said the voice. 1T looks
| TO me as though We sailen straight
ahead for the first two days and then
the compass went on the bum and we've
been going around in circles somewhere
| way out In the middle of the ocean"
; That's a likely theory" laughed an
ether voice. Eben jumped to his feet.
q - =
/ is sailing In circles
Bonner.
But doesn't that explain why we
struck land somewhere II we had been
going straight ahead"
| But you must remember that the
men at the helm say one time the wheel
goes to the left and another time stead
| lily 20 the right, according to the com
pass That doesn't seem to jibe with
! your appropriated theory that the ship
, is really sailing in circles"
/ ut does 1t jibes nicely responded
1 the other, thinking fast. First. it sails
/ In circles in one direction and then 1t
wheels about and makes a few circles in
/ the other direction"
| Doesn't sound plausible to me, "
doubted Bonner.
well. maybe not But I'm going 10
work on the theory for while. II is
lot more sensible than to think that
/
sea. or that Sicily Island has changed
1 its location over night"
But what an erratic compass "a
| change it's mind completely every day
/ and go in another direction said Bon
ner.
Nothing Of the kind. It's the easiest
| thing in the world" answered Nash.
| I'm an electrician, and I know that II
| a magnet or electric current could be
] placed TO attract the needle one way,
/ the boat would follow the needle and
| travel in a circuit. Then. 81 the mag
/ net or current were placed any other
way the boat would travel in the op-
/ pOsite circle. I've tried II with a COM
pass. and know what I'm talking
| about"
At that moment the door opened
l softly and Captain Rogers thrust his
1 head into the cabin
/ so you've tried fixing cOmpasses.
| have your he asked. in an accusing
| tone. 81 overheard as I passed down
! the corridor. Mr. Nash I believe you
/ have fixed the compass on the boat
| and what's more I'm going to find out
! Como to nv cabin. You come, too, Mr.
| Bonner. / want you for a witness
don't like to run any chances with our
| Edison 7 believe Mr.. Hicke says he
is called
In a fash Eben realized where the
CAPTAINS doubts had come from.
THE Continuation of This Story VIII
he Found In TOmOrrOw's