Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-30

frances from the decks, port and star
board, and the dark mouths Of the state
room alleyways opening into the saloon.
But. apparently, all the other members
Of the ships company had gone to bed
or were lingering in the smoking room.
There was no discernible hint of any
sort Of surveillance or of interest in their
actions. And of sounds there was none
aside from the grooming OF the aged YES
sci as she lunged up a long, stiff. deep
sea swell, the rack and rumble of her en-
gines, the swish and hollow clash of wa
tiers riven by her bows and repealed by
her TANKS.
Rhode shook his shoulders. "Bad?" he
grunted. IT'S rotten. Honest. 1t don't
smell right. l guess it's only what was
comm to me for trustin' ginny like
Perez. But I was all the time
countin' on his playin' square just out OF
policy. In an act like this it's united
we get away with 1t, divided we get the
hook. But this Perez wants all the
center Of the stage for himself. He's
got 1t all doped out to slip me the wrong
cue and spoil my exit. And the hell Of
1t is, It's too late TO call an extra re-
hearsal. The curtains up and we simply
dissent keep the stage waitin."
Meaning you've gone too far to draw
back"
you get me. Now. this Acklin
says he heard Perez and Lobb talkin
about sneakin' the stuff off Of madum
and, if | raise my voice. handin' me mine
now. That means they've had this dou-
BILE cross ready to slip me all along: this
is only the beginnin' Of the finish.
Believe me, we're in wrong seven ways
from the deuce"
He rocked heavily, to and fro. grum-
bling inarticulately for moment.
WELL" he said. at length. rising. I'VE
Of rooms ii only show 'em we're wise to
what's comm, but we gotta put up a
bluff at protectin' them fool women
That's the only play. now. You slip be-
low, will you, and find Acklin, and tell
him what We want dOne-and tell him in
whisper. I'll wait here"
And then, as Crittenden, with a nod of
understanding. turned toward the COM
panion-way. Rhode stopped him with a
word: Listen
He rolled nearer, dropping the pitch of
his voice. Got a gum"
Crittenden nodded.
"On you?"
mo, in my stateroom.'
"That'd help lot-wouldnt tiff You
happened to need it now? G'wan and
get it. before you look Acklin up. I'm
heeled already"
Right" agreed Crittenden,. He ran
lightly down the steps. with a quick and
comprehensive survey determined that
the dining saloon was deserted. and
swung aft, into the darkling alleyway,
lighted by single lamp. on which opened
the Office and sleeping quarters OF the
purser. the chief steward ard minor off,
GERS Of the ship.
Entering his room, Crittenden shut the
door and shot the bolt to provide against
observation or interruption. then switch
ed on the light. dropped to his knees and
pulled from beneath the berth his cabin
trunk.
In the tray hidden i'm a tangle of shirts,
collars. socks and ties. he found the au-
tomato pistol, which instinct-and the
coincidence of catching sight OF II In the
money lenders show window = had
prompted him to purchase out of the
proceeds of the hypothecation OF his Gig
arctic case, the day before the Cynthia
sailed.
AS his fingers closed upon it he was
conscious Of feeling of reinforced self
confidence; and he smiled q little ner-
vously, to remember how he he'd doubted