The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-02-24
CHAPTER XIV.
AN AMPHIBIOUS SLUETH.

AN hMPHIBIOUS SLUETH.
M K sP SS% W was not SUBJECT !"
Had he been he ~,ouId I'M
questionably have fallen 10
the flooring Of the wharf and exhibited
several really choice contortions.
As it was he merely turned limp. and,
managing to twist his head, faced the
elderly dockman who gripped his collar
"What-what did you say?" he gasp
ed
The Occident's saiIed-ssiled an hour
ago. you darned fool, Anyway, she
don't take passengers"
she was going Let 90 will you?
m not dangerous, you know! Let go OF
that collar"
Reluctantly, the gripped was released,
albeit the Waterman stood with very
ready hands at Mr.. Bowne's side.
She was going to-take one cabin
passenger-me" the latter gentleman
explained. "Are-you sure she salled?'
The watchman drew q long, exasper-
ated breath and responded tartly:
Mister, that steamer sailed an hour
ago. She sailed with about eight men
aboard and little enough cargo that her
waterline was about six inches above
the water. If you want 10 know any
| more than that. 90 see the owners Il
| you don't want TO know any more, git
! often this dock. People amt allowed
| here.
But
Come on. misterl'
The heavy hand landed on Bowne's
| shoulder again-and as it did so. Mr.
| Narken came up with the procession!
Mr.. Narken, wet and limp. was puff
fing hard and strenuously as he com
pleted the last lap Of his last spring
Gomez" he asked.
Yes. gone" Bovine Numbered.
why the devil couldn't you"
! Il told you the man fired me OF the
boat. / did the best 1 could, but 1
! couldn' t."
Then why didn't you communicate
with me or"
How could I communicate with you
when I didn't know where you were?
There aren't two OF me, I can only be
on one spot at one time. i
Mr.. Narken was plainly excited
! Mr.. Bovine therefore, realized that ne,
too. had grown rather wroth-and ne
| Gained instanter; and in second or
so he turned to the Waterman with
q smile that was almost oily.
is there any way Of getting aboard
! that 'Occident?' he inquired.
Guess there is, if you can swim fast
enough and "a, enough"
well, 1 want 10 get her, I've had
my mind set on that trip want 20
get aboard her and loaf around for
a week or SO"
Take a train for Portland, mister.
YOu'u get there about a week ahead,
suggested the Waterman.
"Is she sure 10 touch at Portland -
Bovine asked eagerly.
She amt certain 10 tOucs, anywhere
I dunno where she's going this trip, bat
most likely she'll put in there
But not certainly
Say, I don't know any more about
where that boats going this voyage
| than"
Mr. Bovine gnawed his short nous
tache.
Pardon me-" he said, suavcly. ITS
only freak OF mine, to travel on her
but I'm happily able to afford freaks
How do you suppose I could catcl
herr"
Charter a East ocean tug and tel
the captain to pick her up" suggests
the dockman. ironically.
And where can get an ocean iug?'
! Bovine inquired.
The watchman stared
/ Dye mean it?"
/ I certainly do"
"Then-weH. by thunder, then z,
down to-say. you don't mean is?'
! Yes ro2red Bovine.
p Then you go down. two docks below
t and ask for Captain Moore. She's u
S dock now-the Ella Morse is-and sh
could get 10 Halifax and back befor
E the 'Occident' ever sighted Portland
She
D Two docks below Bovine inquired
e hastily.
, YES. That there Ella Morse
j Which ended She conversation. be
cause Bovine was leaving the dock q
q hastily as he had entered II, and Mar
a ken was at his heels Side by side
2 they sped past a black shed and cam
? 10 q half open gate Side by side the
f 70 ced down new pier-and very short
Q ly, 10 the left, green light appeare
T. and white light or two-and Rown
floating up little gang plank,
a Some one with pipe halted hir
abruptly
Q Here, You, What the
2 Are YOU Captain Morse7"
''Yesr'
T. DO YOU know 2 freighter by name o
$ I'Uccident?'
: al oughter."
do you know the course she take
. from here north:'
Yep
Got steam up now"
Have IL in fifteen minutes, mister
q the captain replied, rather bre1thless
Ily.
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