The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-11-30
CHAPTER XVIII.
A Mvsteev lS Solved.

The night overhead and around was
covered I'm with a black velvety dark
ness. unlocked by CLEAN Of moon or
glimmer OF star; but the top OF every
wavelet OF the lagoon was tipped
with pale phosphorescent light, and
every oar stroke stirred up a boil OF
pall!d flame.
/ Mr.. MeTodd lighted his pipe and
Hospitality offered cake OF black to-
baoco and an open clasp knife TO his
superior officer. Cut yourself I'LL,
he suggested. We're illuminated like
shop winuow in Sauciehall-st.. and
tobacco glow will be lost in the gen.
eral magnifcence."
Il thank you." said Captain Kettle
civilly but I've had to drop my pipe
for professional reasons. But you're
quite right about the light. The la
goon's fiaring round us like village
fair, and IL any ones awake on this
side OF Africa, and looking out, we're
here to be seen. Sc I'll just follow
your example, and set fire to cigar. "
Il wish I'd hoiler-plate overcoat
like my ancestor. the Crusader used
to wear. The Moorish be sniping at
US presently, wheh we draw within
range Of their gas-plpes."
"Moors or Berbcrs That head-man
we've got on board, who says he's
been TO an English college, wants me
to believe that the majority OF the
tribes round here are Berbers, and
they're as harmless as the teachers
In Quaker Sunday school. The only
bad men in this section are Moors,
according TO Bergash.
''Ye needna' explain further. Its
always been clear since the creature
first stepped up over the side that We
didna Xix him Miss Bulbs and J
rather fancy him or'sel's.'
Captain Kettle had a violent con-
ment OH the tip OF his tongue. but
with an effort bit II short and pulled
hard at his cigar.
'vara humorc us. said McTodd with
a chuckle.
What's that?" snapped his ST..
perior
II was just staggering at ma
thoughts an the beauty of the night"
And at what else?'
Man, I'm no the pairson to abuse
the confidence OF eddy. AS a man
of the incest vairtue yourself. re
couldna expect II OF me- Now could
you?"
Captain Kettle tugged at his cigar,
and stared at the lighted boat COM
pass. and then stared out at the night
"Wecl, man, I'm fair surprised AT
you"
"On account Of what?'
ITO lairn that you've wish
though you'll no express in words
a Ch r. hnf a
iassie said
You'll find yourself over In the
ditch among the fishes II you don't
change your tune"
IF I'd been a financier," chuckled
the Scot, Il dare have bet saxpance
ye'd have threatened violence like
that, or pairpetrated 1t. Man. Kettle.
bend your lug so the hands cannae
hear. Ye may pluck up your courage.
The leddy's conversation is the damn
eldest dull talk I ever had poured
into ma confidence. It's all about
Yourself and-gosh' man--to star
board and over the quarter What's
yon?"
II was a bonfire, that suddenly light
ed and spouted up into the sky, ana
was az suddenly eclipsed by the
blackness of the night
"A fare" said Kettle, and as they
haven't mineral oil down here that
know Of, | should say IL was some
body firing two handfuls OF gunpow-
der. Well, II means that one Niger,
at any rate. Is awake and thinking or
us. and that's better than being dead
and forgotten. Ewes in the boat, men.
and attend to your rowing. Mr.. Nc
Todd and | are quite capable OF look
ing after our own personal convent
ence without your unskilled assist
ance And, by James. there's an an.
swering fare away up on the noun
tain"
Gosh. 1t looks as II they're rous-
Ing the clans to do us honor. Aweei,
I've no immediate use for your rifles.
Hard work with those rattle-traps or
engines has left my hand no over
steady. But I've brought along a
inch spanner. and Il
ters, I'll show you how II Is used by
an expert. Have ye matches? This
talking's put my pipe out"
The gig crawled on steadily through
the night stirring lambert flames; ana
Twice more ulu ndTtb Vi BuHpONuti
among the foothills OF the Atlas cali
notice TO the fact that Africa was
awake Captain Kettle steered by
compass alone and Gas the current
was running slowly had to make n
cast back before he found the Nor
man Towers and even then, so black
was the night that the noise OF his
oars scraping along her plates was
the hrst advertisement he had OF her
nearncss.
Row steady, men," he ordered.
and cOasted down her length, and then
swung the boat under her counter.
and brought up against the ladder
which hung down her farther side.
The heavy teak ladder had rungs
broken. and the davit TO which IL
hung was bent billboard.
You will stay here" he ordered
read TO push of when come back"
and With that he stepped out on the
grating aud ran lightly up the steps,
and disappeared into the black 81
lence of the night.
Presently his voice called down In
a ghosuy whisper from the rail-
above: "Mr. Mcrodd, tell the men