The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-12-31
(coryrixhs 1919 By 4 c. Aeciuu Z cal
CHAPTER w.
An Interiude.

ment at the disclosure OF the Ola man
identity. there was a sudden swish of
skirts, and the girl disappeared down
the companionway. She left with
marked haste that might have been
significant to the skipper, had be been
| in any state of mind to be impressed
by such suggestive occurrences. In
| moment a series of feminine exclama-
| tons. indicative of surprise, came
DULY to his hearing; but his attention
| was still held by the penetrating re-
gard.
Your manner, Captain Phinney," re-
| marked Willard in quiet voice, i'm
plies that you are familiar with my
name?"
| The statement concluded with
| note of interrogation; but Tom stood
/ torgue-tied What should he say? He
could not tell this man that at the
present moment detective was ex-
ceedingly anxious to find him-at least,
not without entering into Van Vech-
tens concern in the search. SO he
moodily shook his head.
Have you any place we may retire
| TO LOT d uulet tdlh " liioi u 'ndoNSN
in the same tone.
1.-The chart-house," vouchsafed Tom,
uneasily moving in that direction.
Once seated, there followed long
| silence in the course of which Tom
| crew more and more FESTIVE beneath
| the keen look of the magnetic eyes.
| Never had he been more uncomfort-
| able in his life. By and by Willard
| spoke, deliberately, but none the less
earnestly.
Look here, captain, frankly, are
you spying on meg
Moses and green spectacles, mol"
blurted Tom. His establishment at the
| question was so Enthusiastically genuine
that the other continued for time to
| watch him in silence. 1t would have
been plain to an outsider that the old
| er man was deeply perplexed and
| troubled, and was trying TO hit upon
s means Of coming to some sort of IN
Outstanding. Presently he drew sigh
and leaned back in his chair
81 can believe that" he said YEARLY.
you are not the sort Of which spies
and eavesdroppers are made. You are
too transparent. And yet" He fell
| silent again, and for space pondered;
then abruptly leaning forward, he once
more fixed Tom with his keen look.
you thought-last night" he began,
| that I didn't recognize you. But |
!: did: | possess certain unusual powers,
an ability to see distinctly in the faint
est light being one of them. You are
the young man who followed Calls at
Rocky Cove Monday night. Now why
did you do that? ] have right to
know"
In the face of the older mans direct
manner, Toms nervousness left him.
The powerful personality was not
without it's influence; but Tom was not
the sort of chap that any man could
overawe, and his discomposure was
chiefly owing to his ticklish position,
and his ready recognition of the fact
that it was not the sort of situation
that he was equipped to cope with.
However, he was strongly attracted
toward Willard; there was something
in spite of his oddly, distinctly likable
about the man.
Look here, Willard" he began,
meeting the others regard with a level
look and addressing him with a plain
bluntness, your name is not at all ia
miliar to me- I'll tell you Just why ]
followed that chap Monday night, and
why 1 was surprised When you hand
ed me Brownlow's note. You'll see
then that there are some things I'm
entitled to know as well as yourself.
So we'll understand one another right
here and now
Willard nodded, but said nothing.
DO you know the Powhatan club?"
Another silent nod: but the eyes be-
trayed light Of daWnin5 comprehen-
sion.
I'm a member" pursued Tom, ''anG
the mysterious way in which you PEG
pie acted in that old house across from.
US made US all curious. Why shouidn I
it? We talked about it and wondered,
time and time again-who the tenants
were; what they were up to, and ali
that sort of thing Candidiy, it didn t
look right.
Now, I've seen you come and go at
that house; knew that you belonged
there. | saw the chap who was killed
, last Sunday come out of the same
house. / recognized you in the motor
boat Monday evening, and when / aft
forwards saw the fellow you call Cal
; lis, why, of course l followed him. Any.
body would"
All the time Tom had been speaking
. Willard sat watching him with discon-
certing intentness. He now said:
| Then your love Of justice overbal-
ances your sense of caution?"
Il like to see square deal, if that's
what you mean
. Willard now rose to his feet.
Thank you for your frankness, cap.
tain Phinney," said he with an air OF
relief. THAT explains matters l am
sorry / can not be so frank with you
in return. But can't just at present;
too much is at stake" With tired