Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-01-13


ed in the fate of Arthur should say
Sir Arthur Melwood. We hope for the
best. but fear the worst. If Bullivants
cannot help us. then"
Mr.. Forster broke off with a signifi
cant gesture. Lady Melwood. hel
bosom heaving, her eyes suffused with
tears behind her veil, held out hel
hands in mute appeal.
Can you give me any hope, sir?'
she implored. Remember, he was my
boy. my only child"
Callister had listened impassively tC
the solicitors bald narrative, betray
ing about as much emotion as stone
Buddha
You tell me the young man had nc
reason for remaining away-no fool
ish 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 us 1t 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 stuff ciently 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 SOP"
| Lady Malwood bowed her head in
assent, yet Immediately her mother
heart forced her to vehement speech.
Hes not dead, sir, feel it know
1t! Something tells me so! Never will
| believe it until the sea gives up its
| dead!"
To end a painful intervie w Calliste,
rose. saying:
we 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
al belongings"
And when-?" Lady Melwood was
beginning, when the master mind of
Bullivants cut her short with a quiet
smile and wave of the hand.
THE instant we have any news
good or bad-we will communicate
with Mr.. Forster. Good-morning!"
And page ushered them out through
a private door.
Callister was as good as his word
That same afternoon he was in CONSUL
tation with one of the agencys
shrewdest investigators, retired
quartermaster of the royal navy, who
presided over the department devoted
to marine cases. John Tarbell by
name
You. of course, recall the Calliope
case?" inquired Callister.
| Quite So" assented Tarben
There was an unsolved sea mystery
for you! Always thought I'd like to
run it down."
We'll. you may have your wish"
| commented the other. drily
Tarbell raised his burly eyebrows
questioningly. but waited for further
| details.
Had you any theories?" questioned
his superior
Plenty" was the answer, land so
did every other sailor man; the trou.
BILE was that none of them fitted"
All the better" commented Calls
ter. Cant you think of something
new?"
"Everything's possible at sea-" an
swered Tarbell. AT first sight you're
up against muddle; nothing fits:
then comes the explanation-simple
as snow sliding off roof-and there
you are!"
Yes. | understand: but about this
Calliope now?"
We'll, you see." said Tarbell. count
Ing off on his finger tips. I'VE can cut
out the usual sea hazards-collision
tempest, mutiny. desertion and fire:
none of those perils happen to fit the
Calliope. There is a simple solution.
or course, but it'll be something out of
the ordinary, or | miss my guess"
Cant you give 1t a name?"
Not now-perhaps never" was
Tarbell's answer But I'm willing tn
try"
Callister nodded. 1.-THE case Is
yours; you've got a year in which to
make good. Take your own way.
spare no expense. and report when
ready. You'll find all the facts in file
o. NJ. S64. That's all"
Probably there was never so puz.
cling case in the annals of maritime
nations as that of the brig Calliope
There was absolutely not single
salient fact upon which to build a pre.
mise. AS Tarbell had said, all plausi-
bic theories, based upon the usual
hazards of the sea. failed to fit the
case. Those who might have given n
clew-captain, wife and child. passen.
ger. crew-had vanished without an.
parent reason. So John Tarbell had a
nard nut to crack in attempting tn
trace the fate of Sir Arthur Melwood
lie began his Investigations at
Lloyds; then he visited the owners.
From each visit he drew a blank 81