The Springdale news., 1909-05-18
[ooNTINUED.l
CHAPTER XXXII,

mander courteously
 Tt would be strange indeed If could not returned Darrow. smiling You forget that you have set say age down in the midst of luxury
 Make yourself free of Ives things, invited Captain Parkinson. Poor fel- low. He will not use them again, fear"
 One of your men lostF asked Oar row. An. The young officer whose body found on the beach perhapsE v
 "No. But we have to thank you for that burial said the captain.
 Darrow made swift gesture "oh. if thanks are going" he cried. and paused in hopelessness of adequate ex- pression
 This has been a bitter cruise for us,n continued the captain. He sigh ed and was silent for q moment. "There is much to tell and to he told, he resumed.
 Much" agreed the other grayely.
 You will want to see siade first. presume?', said the captain.
 ''One of your officers whom l have not yet had the pleasure of meetingf
 The captain stared "Slade,. he said. Ralph Slade.a
 Apparently there's Il missing link. Or-I fear I was not wholly myself yesterday for tune. Possibly some thing occurred that did not quite take in"
 Perhaps we'd better wait" said Captain Parkinson, with obvious mis- giving. You're not quite rested You will feel more like
 If you don't mlnd," said Darrow eomposedly, I'd like to get at this thing now I'm in excellent under standing, assure you
 "Very well. I am speaking of the man who acted as mate in the Laugh ing Lass The journalist who Good heavens, What arrant stupidity have 10 beg your pardon, Mr barrow. It has just occurred 10 me He called himself Eagen with you '
 "Eageni What Is this1 ls Eagen aliyeT
 And on this ship. Ne picked him up in an open boat"
 And you say he calls himself Slade?'
 "He Is Ralph Sade, adyentnrer and journalist Mir Barnett knows him and vouches for him "
 And he was on our island under an assumed name.n said Darfow iii tones that had the smoothness and the rasp of silk. Rather annoying Not good form quite, even for a pirate
 "Yet I believe he saved Your life, " suggested the captain
 Darrow looked up sharply Why yes" he admitted "so he did I had hoped'- He checked himself. T had thought that all Of the crew went tue same way You didn't find any of the others.'
 "None"
 Darrow got to his feet "i think Id like to see Eagen- Slade-w whatever he calls himself.'
 .I don't know" began the captain. Tt might not be- He hesitated and stopped
 Darrow drew back little. misnter- preting the others attitude Do l un- aerstand that l am under restraiutfe he asked stittiy.
 Certainly not. Why should you be!'
 Well" remarked the other eontem- llatiyely, it really might be regarded as subject for investigation. Of course 1 know only small part of it. But there have certainly been suspi- cious circumstances. Piracy there has been, no doubt of that; murder, too if my intuitions are not at fault. or at least disappearance to be accounted for Robbery cant be denied And there's dead body or two to be prop erly accredited" He looked the cap tain in the eye.
 "Well?"
 You'll find my story highly unsatis. factory in detail, fancy, merely want to know whether I'm to present It as defense or only an explana- tion."
 We shall be glad to hear your story when you are ready to tell it-after you have seen MT. Slade"
 Thank you" said Darrow simply You have heard his?"
 .Yes. It needs filling in.''
 "When may I see himf"
 That's for Dr. Trendon to say. He came to us almost dead. I'll find out"
 The surgeon reported Slade much better, but all a-quiver with excite ment
 Hate to put the strain on him." said he. .But he'll be in q fever till lie gets this thing of his mind Send Mir. Dar- row to him."
 After moments consideration Dar- row said, "I should like to have you and Dr. Trendon present, Captain Parkinson, while I ask Eagen one or two questions
 .'understsnd one thing, Mir. Darrow, ]" saiIH 1endon briefly, this is not to be an in4uisition"
 Ahw said Darrow, unmoyea. .I'm to be neither defendant nor prosecn- toF."s
 "Yon are to respect the condition of pr. Trendon's patient. sir" said Cap thin Parkinson. with emphasis. Out oire of that your attitude toward a nm wlo has twice thought of your { Ilfe elpre his own z IT. you to de, teRmIne.'
 2ittle cynicisai led in Darrow's
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 n MT. s'aas'
 9ze IF. EeplieA Captain Parkinson in