Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-01

after passageway-the one that runs t.
your stateroom. He told him to get out.
but the man showed fight and they had
a lively set-to for a minute or so: Then
the sailor drew his knife and slashed the
cooks arm
Here was another thing to worry me
as though the day had not held its com
plement. 1T looks as though he had
meant to rob me-
1T does. indeed. sir. You sec. he could
wait his chance until the galley was clear
and then steal through from the fo'c'stle.
cook caught him.
Il don't know. sir: at any rate, he
didn't leave anything behind" ~
l sprang to my feet. well, well easily
find out" | grunted. striding to the state
room door.
The room was in litter. Every drawer
In the place had been pulled out and
ransacked: the best part of my wardrobe
lay heaped up on the floor. / looked hack
at Carton, who had followed me.
HE didn't take much care 10 conceal
his intentions"
I'm thinking his intentions were dis
covered. sir. before he had time to,tahe
much care
We went over the things systematically:
There seems to be nothing missing |
said. as closed the last drawer.
Except what was in this. sir" And
Carton. who had been feeling under the
berth. brought forth an empty box.
1t was the case in which had kept
favorite revolver l gazed at it ruefully.
ITS gone. sure enough, and
memory flashed upon me Yes. ana
that sailor knew it was here, He was at
the wheel when | was telling Simpson
about it in the cockpit this morning
THAT must be il. sir. You don't hap
pen to remember whether 1t was loaded"
I'm sure il wasnt-but wait. ] took
a box of cartridges from the washstand
cupboard and counted them carefully.
"No-they're all here"
Its just as well. sir-with one OF his
temper"
pondered for a moment. then turned
to the door leading into the passageway.
II think I'll have little talk with him."
VERY good. sir. But / advise you not
to get him mad
ley fire. was nursing his wounded arm.
expressed concern that the trouble had
happened and offered the services OF my
medicine chest to alleviate his pain. But
he seemed disposed to treat both the
trouble and the injury lightly.
Its not the cut that's bothering me-"
, he growled. But the nerve OF thet
young devil in taking my best meat knife
to do II with And he pointed to long,
keen blade. which lay. stained and dis
colored. upon the floor
The mystery of the knife was solved
at any rate. Smiling at the cooks within.
| ward bulkhead and opened the forecastle
door.
A head appeared from the nearest bunk
and pair of black eyes looked out at
me. It was the man whom wanted. :
closed the door, leaning my weight
against the panel.
"Get up ordered. II wish to have .
word with you
He scrambled sulkiIy to his feet
studied him for a moment in silence.
Compact, well built, he would have been
no mean antagonist I'm tussle: even
through his white jumper l could see tho
| muscles standing out upon his arms. His
head. firmly poised on his shoulders, was
thrown back in a natural attitude OF un-
concern, giving a suggestion OF self-reli-
ance: the mouth and the chin showed O.
| strength Of purpose seldom met with IN
one OF his sphere of life His features
were dark-almost swarthy. In the femi-
nine mind they might have been classed
as handsome. But / faEcied a CLEAN OF
| cruelty smoldering in the eyes. which
gave sinister expression to his face.
whats your manner" i began.
civilian Blakeley."
where do you hail from?
Observation-Disclosures. I have no home"
Have you ever served on q yacht BE-
fore?"
He nodded
"Then perhaps you know it's not quite
the thing to make free OF the owners
quarters-to steal his possessions
"Steal?'
We'll. borrow il you like the word bet
ter. Come, my man, know what you've
been up to- You might as well give mo
back my revolver"
He smiled family. II haven't got it."
Its gone from my stateroom."
Every possibly. But still. ! haven't gon
it,"
where is It, them
"How should know" He shrugged his
shoulders with an air OF polite fndiner-
ence. Hasn't it struck you that you
may have come to the wrong person."
! looked at him in wonder: He was
speaking to me as to an equal-with the
easy assurance of a gentleman. In both
language and manner there was strong
hint Of the we'll bred man Of the world.
II think not answered.
'T stand corrected. But might ] ask
where you got your information?"
From Larabee. the cook"
From the cook? Yes 1t would be only
natural
The innuendo was not to be mistaken.
"I have every confidence in him." 1 as
serted. He has been in my employ for
several years."
while have been with you for scarce
ly day. as yet. l can hardly blame you
for taking his word
His assurance was SO perfect that, Tor
an instant doubted my own convictions.
"You seem to know good deal about
it," suggested, meaningly.
Perhaps l do"
Then return the revolver and wei call
the matter settled.
IT can't return what I haven't got" he
reiterated. And as you're not likely tn
take my word for it just at present. YOU
may prove it to your own satisfaction. =
He came q step nearer and raised his
hands above his head. u
That's not necessary" I drew back
instinctively.
(To be continued tomorrow.)