Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-04

the-way isle was puzzling, indeed To be
sure. the girl had boosted Of creature
comforts, and had proved their existence
but cow and chickens might have beer
made the object of some special voyage
while tobacco such as this must have
been freshly supplied.
l recalled Pierre's vehement disclaimer
or any communication with the outer
world, and the girls later confirmation OF
it. Did she know Of the cigars in my
pocket? Or, being a girl. had she failed
to realize the natural inference to which
their appearance would give rise?
For the matter of that, why should
either of them wish me to believe that
! they and their people lived in isolated Sc.
clusion? II / were being held for ransom
and in view OF my imprisonment this
seemed the most probable-what object
could be gained by making me think that
my bankers were not within reach? Then
again. how could all this be reconciled
with the girls evident curiosity about
Blakeley. and her strange performance
at the window? What possible bearing
could it have upon the pilfering and
blowing up Of the yacht?
Six hours of wrestling with the enigma
brought me no nearer to its solution, and
when. at o'clock, the girl arrived with
my supper, 1 had come to the conclusion
that my only chance of clearing 1t up lay
in questioning her.
A certain listless apathy had crept into
eyes were red and swollen, as though
from weeping 1t was this which prompt
ed me to begin with a tentative compli-
ment, instead of the case in point.
Whom am 1 to thank for the cigars?''
asked. holding up the half-burnt stump
Of the last one. =
That depends. They came from ia
Tiers box, but" = ft r
But :ou were the, means, of their
reaching me?"
I'm afraid So" -
My appreciation is doubled. y girl
who knows the essentials o. masculine
comfort is a trea sure indeed"
She smiled indifferenrly. five learnt it
all from father. He declares that tobacco
is the staff Of life"
He knows. And he knows good
brand. too. Does he always smoke
theSe?" ,*
LAS often as he can get them. - Is
And that is?''
AS often as he can be supplied
From the mainland?"
"Of course" My persistent questioning
seemed to wake some recollection: she
shot me quick glance. Fishermen
anchor off here occasionally" She went
on, as though in explanation. and father
commissions them to buy him tobacco.
When they come this way again they
send 1t ashore q. = -.
oh. didn't understand that you had
constant visitors
I'VE haven't. They come very. seldom -
but tobacco needs frequent replenisll-
unexpectedly when there's an inveterate
smoker about" :
ITS possible that they may bring it to
US in bulk She motiOned toward the
table. where the preparations tor ms
meal had been progressing. Your sup
per is ready for you.' she said. with a
hint of iirality which warned me that
further discussion would come to naught.
drew up my chair with anticipatory
relish. :, You, provide for me most gen.
eropsly.' Miss-Miss Mystery shall | call
your" =
You may.vif you wish. But my real
name is Sylvia Hayward, Mr., RenfreW."
: started. How did you know mine?"
, Frem the things taken off the schoon-
"Ah. yes My brow darkened 1T
SCENE 70 me your people have made