The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1911-02-09


stiffiy. My name Is Fanshaw. sir;
and / think my son, who sits yen-
der" he stepped aside and inclined
his head little in Toms direction
is. or was once, an acquaintance of
yours From her place in the back
ground, Jeanne saw look OF perplex-
ity-nothing more than that. she felt
sure-come into Philip CayIey's face.
The old gentleman's manner was GER
tainly an extraordinary one in which
/ to greet total stranger 800 miles
away from human habitation Cayley
seemed to be wondering whether 1t
represented anything more than the
Individual eccentricity OF the old gen
tleman, or not.
Evidently he recognized Tom Fan
shaw at once, and. after an almost i'm
percepttble hesitation. seemed 70 make
up his mind to overlook the singulari-
ty of his welcome. II remember Lieu
tenant Fanshaw WE'LL" he said, smil-
ing and speaking pleasantly enough.
though the girl thought she heard an
underlying note of hardness in his
voice You we're at the Point while
was there, weren't you? But it's
many years since I've seen you"
At that he crossed the deck to
where young Fanshaw was sitting, and
held out his hand Tom Fanshaw's
hands remained clasped tightly on the
two arms of his chair. aud the stern
lines OF his face never relaxed. though
he was looking straight into Cayley's
eyes. 81 remember you at the Point
very we'll" be said. but. unfortunate
ly there are some stories OF your sub
sequent career which ! remember al
together too we'll"
The girl did not need the sudden
look OF incandescent anger she saw In
Philip Cayley's face to turn the sud
den tide of her sympathy toward him.
1t was not for this old wrong of his
that they had summoned him, as to 4
bar of justice, to the Aurora's deck,
but to meet the accusation Of the muir
der of Perry Hunter. Whether he
was guilty of that murder or not, this
raking up of an old. improved oifenss
was piece of unnecessary brutality.
She could not understand how kind
hearted old Tom could have done such
a thing Thinking 1t over afterward.
she was able to understand little
better.
From behind Toms chair she could
see how heavily this blow he dealt
had told. For one instant Philip Cay
leys sensitive face had shown look
of unspeakable pain. Then 1t stifYen-
ed into a mere nask--icy; disdainful.
1t was moment before he spoke
When he did, 1t was to her Il don't
know why this gentleman presumes to
keep his seat, he said. III 1t IL al
precaution against a blow, perhaps, he
need not let his prudence interfere
with his courtesy"
He has just met with an accident"
she said quickly. He can't stand
No. Tom. Sit STILL" snd her hands
upon his shoulders enforced the com
mand.
Cayley bowed ever so slightly. Il
suppose" he continued. that since
last night you also have heard the
story which this gentleman protests
he remembers so much too well?"
Yes she said
At that he turned to old Mr. Fan
shaw: "Will you tell me. sir" he
asked, for what purpose ! was In
yited to come aboard this yacht?"
Tom spoke before his father could
answer-sp spoke with short. ugly
laugh sssh., syea weren't invited. YYoi
were. as the police say. wanted
Be quiet, Toni" his father com
manded That's not the way to talk
Ito anybody"
Cayley's lips framed faint, satir-
ical smile; and again he bowed slow
w. But he said nothing, and stood,
waiting for the old gentleman to
so on.
This Mr.. Iranshaw seemed to find 1t
rather difficult to do. Al last. how
ever. he appeared to hnd the words
he wanted when Miss Fielding gave
us an account, this morning. OF the
strange visitor she had received last
night, we wereI was. al ieast--in-
| clined to think she had been dream
| irg it without knowing it. To con-
vince me that you were real and not
| vision. she showed me a material
end highly interesting souvenir OF
your call It was an Eskimo throwing
! stick, Mr. Cayley, such as the Alaskan
| and Siberian Indians use to throw
| darts and harpoons with. 1t happens
| chat I've had good deal Of exper-
| ience among those people. and that
know how deadly an implement it Is. :
He made a little pause there. and
then looked up suddenly into Cayley' 8
face. And imagine" he continued
very slowly that you know that as
well as / do
Cayley made no snsw er at all, but
If Mr.. Fanshaw h5sed to find with
those shrewd eyes of his, any look
| Of guilt or CONSERVATION in the pale
| face that confronted him. he was dis
appointed
Suddenly. he turned to his SON
where is that thing that Donovan
brought aboard with him just now?'
| he asked
The blood-stained dart lay on the
/ deck beside Toms chair He picked
it up and held 1t out toward his fa-
! thor, but the elder man. with ges-
ture. indicated TO Cayley that be was
to take it in mis- hand: then: Jeanne.
NY dear" he asked. will you fetch
cut from the cabin the stick which