Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-03

out l had suspected an attempt to sink
the vessel for her insurance, and had re-
jected the suspicion as unlikely because
of the quantity and value of her cargo?"
Yes" she breathed. almost needless
of what he said, thinking only to keeI
him there a little longer. to lose him no
sooner than she must.
WELL them it turns out my first guess
was right, after all-according to Rhode. :
Crittenden continued thinking only to
have done and make an end of this equivO-
cal complication. Perez proposed the
plot. Sayaran (madame's husband) and
Rhode entered into it willingly. each put
ting up all his available capital. Perez
took half share, it appears, therefore
has the most voice. Savaran and Rhode
shared the other half. Savaran's interest
being the lesser. They bought this YES
sell condemned by it's former owners, for
a song, paying part cash down: tricked
half dozen marine insurance concerns
ing her underwriters-but at pretty
stiff premium, | guess: assembled the
richest cargo they could come by, partly
on credit. partly on consignment, and in
sured that up TO the hilt Do you follow
me-"
Yes, said Cynthia. softly.
80 now the plan is this: Legally the
Cynthia passed out Of existence just
now, when the news of her sinking was
sent out by wireless. In another day or
the meantime we are making for a little.
isolate, desolate cay on the southern
boundary Of the Bahamas.Cofin cay. SO
called. There were to make junction
with this tramp steamship Thurlow, just
named the Orion In that seclusion-the
waters are travelled only by ignorant
sponge fishermen-the cargo will be trans
ferred to the tramp. AS soon as that has
been accomplished both vessels will steam
out to sea, at night, everybody on board
the Cynthia having been transferred to
the Orion save the barest working crew.
At the first convenient deep the Cynthia s
sea cocks will be opened, and the balance
of her crew will take to the boats and
reioin the Orion. which will then proceed
to Kingston with a likely yarn about an
engine room breakdown to account for
the delay. The cargo. by means Of forged
manifests. Will be taken elsewhere and
disposed of to the best advantage: the
insurance both on it and on the Cynthia
will be collected. and the syndicate will
whack up on the spoils and the incident
be closed
How long have you known this?"
Crittenden hesitated ITO be honest.
I've suspected foul play from the first:
but | let myself in for it. partly through
sheer desperation. partly because l felt
responsible for you-as I've said. The
positive truth | have not known until to-
night. when Rhode cornered me and put
it up to me, telling the part l was ex-
pected to play. So. also. with Nine. Sa
varan; She too. knew from the first that
something fraudulent was contemplated.
and, ! dare say. surmised a good part of
the truth; but Rhode says he never told
her any details until this evening. after
dinner 1t was solely her cupidity. to
look after her money. and her distrust OF
him (Which is conceivable) that induced
her. to come along. She insisted on it.
and Perez and Rhode had 10 give in. for
If she'd carried out her threat to make
public what little she knew. even. il
would have been fatal to their plans