Lower coast gazette., 1910-12-31

discovered, although Lloyds ha
brought all its machinery to bear t
solve the mystery.
I'VE. OF course, are mainly interest
ed In The fate of Arthur should sa,
Sir Arthur MelwOod. We hope for tn,
best, but fear the worst. If Bullivant
cannot help us, them"
Mr.. Forster broke off with a signif
cant gesture. Lady Melwood, he
bosom heaving. her eyes suffused Will
tears behind her veil, held out he
hands il mute appeal.
Can you give me any hope, SIR
she implored. Remember, he was m,
boy. my only child"
Callister had listened impassiyely t
the solicitors bald narrative. betray
ing about as much emotion as a stone
Buddha.
You tell me the young man had nc
reason for remaining away-no fool
fish entanglements?" he queried.
None whatever" affirmed Lady
Melwood. Although his father and
myself wished him to remain at home.
we parted most affeCtionately. Indeed
Arthur promised lis it should be his
last trip" and she collapsed sobbing.
ly at the sinister recollection. My
poor boy, my Arthur"
Callister considerably waited a mo.
ment before proceeding with his ana.
lysis.
You give us a sufficiently difficult
problem, Lady Melwood," he said
gently. 1T almost seems as if no news
would be good news. | mean" he
went on rather quickly. that a GER
tainty of the very worst that might
happen would be better than further
suspense. Is it not 500"
Lady Melwood bowed her head in
assent, yet Immediately her mother
forced her to vehement speech.
Hes not dead, sir. | feel it know
1t! Something tells me so! Never will
behave 1t until the sea gives up its
To end a painful interview CaIliste,
rose, saying:
I'VE will do our best, Lady Mel.
wood. We seldom fail, but do not
build your hopes on that. Send me a
photograph of your son, with a full
description of himself and his person
belongings"
And when-" Lady Melwood was
beginning, when the master mind of
cut her short with a quiet
smile and a wave of the hand.
The instant we have any news
good or bad-we will communicate
Mr.. Forster. Good.morning!"
And a page ushered them out through
private door.
Callister was as good as his word
That same afternoon he was in consul
alton with n of the agency's
'hrewdest Investigators, a retired
luartermaster Of the royal navy, who
presided over the department devoted
o marine cases, John Tarbell by
lame.
You, of course, recall the Calliope
inquired Callister.
Quite So" assented Tarbell
There was an unsolved sea MYSTERY
or you! Always thought I'd like to
'un it down."
Well, you may have your wish"
commented the other, drily.
Tarbell raised his burly eyebrows
luestioningly. but waited for further.
Had you any theories?" questioned
lis superior.
Plenty was the answer, and 50
lid every other sailor man; the trou.
lie was that lone Of them fitted"
All the BETTER" commented Calls.
er. Cant you think of something
lew?"
"Everything's possible at sea-" IN.
'wered Tarbell. AT first sight you're
Up against a muddle; nothing fits:
men comes the explanation-simple
IS snow sliding of a roof-and there
'ou are!"
Yes, l understand; but about this
now?"
wen, you see," said Tarbell. count.
ng on on his finger tips, 1--WE can cut
ut the usual sea. hazards-collisjon
empest, mutiny, desertion and fire:
one of those perils happen to fit the
There is a simple solution.
II course, but it'll be something out of
ordinary, or miss my guess"
Cant you give it a name?"
Not now-perhaps never" was
'arbells answer. But I'm willing IN
ry."
Callister nodded. THE cast is
ours; you've got a year in which to
make good. Take your own wav
pare no expense, and report when
eady' You'll find slI the facts in file
}. M. 1854. That's ALL"
Probably there was never so puz.
ling a case in the annals of maritime
ations as that of the brig Callione
mere was absolutely not a single
allent fact upon which to build a nre.
lise. AS Tarbell had said, all plarsi.
le theories, based upon the usua,
Of the sea, failed to fit the
ase. Those who might have given q
lew-captain, wife and child, nassar.
er, crew-had vanished without an.
aren't reason. So John Tarbell had .
ard nut to crack IN ATTEMPTING ~
ace the fate of Sir Arthur Melwood
he began his investigations st
ioyds; then he visited the owners
rom each visit he drew a blank ~