The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-06-12
Gordon Craig
 Soldier of Fsstulne= ne=-------b by Randall Par-rish


 "who is her What does he look ~He vas a planter two mile west Carronton. I see heem maybe tenl days ago-Ieetle short man wifi bald head"
 He poured out another drink of brandy, and, downing it, pushed back his chair.
 "By gar. talk too mooeh. maybe he said, yawnfng. sBut eet make no diff ze capitaine he cop za monies just za same am eet better you know. Now turn in an sleep.'s He crossed the cabin to his stateroom and closed the door.
 The facts were clear. Philip Henley was dead, killed while intoxicated, ei- ther accidentally, or for purposes of robbery. And he had been robbed when picked up by the police, nothing to identify him being found Beyond doubt this half breed brother had dis patched a man north to look him up~ possibly to assassinate him if neces- sary. The fellow had either done the job, or been anticipated in his pur- pose. In either case he vas present to identify the body and had written at once, incIosing the signet ring as proof That was the same ring we had found in the arbor, and which Yio- la had instantly recognized. And those men who had made tool of me were the robbers. They had found papers and letters which opened before them this scheme of fraud; then. with his residence address, using his keys, they had learned everything necessary fer the completion of theirsplans. "A copy of the judges will must have been in Henley's possession, and, no doubt, some lawyers letter, describing the situation, received since the departure Of his wife. Apparently everything two clever crooks needed to know was in their possession All they needed4 to do was pull the strings, using hgurehead to represent Philip Henley. That was the part for which was chosen. They had to construct a lie in order to interest me, yet that was comparatively easy, and there was a strong probability of success but for peculiar conditions of which they could know nothing. The half breed had never been mentioned. He was the monkey wrench thrown unexpect- edIy into their well oiled machine. Yet even without him, the reappearance of Philip HenIey's wife was sufficient to cause disaster.
 Philip Henley's wife! The magic of the words halted me Then now, if all had learned was true, she was his widow. What would that mean to me2 The swift beating of my heart answer ed. I knew this-that, however sim cerely she might have once supposed she loved Henley, his neglect, cruelty, dissipation, had long ago driven all sen timent from her. Before we met her gtrIhood anEection had been utterly
 
 and true to every tradition of her wo- manhood. It was to guard his interest, not her own, that she had accompanied me on this expedition, risking her good name fin the belief that he was unable to care for his own. What would she do nrOw2 How would she feel toward mel? What change would it make in the friendly relationship between us I longed to tell her and yet shrank from the task.
 The sunlight streaming in through the upper transom told me the sun was dipping into the west If we were to get away. when night came there were many things to consider first. Espe- ciaIly was obsessed now with a de sire to overhaul the captains papers and secure those which would be of benefit. We must possess more proof than the garrulous talk of the second mate, and surely that proof would be discovered in the after cabin The noise of the stewards dish washing had ceased, and cautious investigation dis closed him sound asleep, curled. up like a dog, on the deck. Assured as to this, Iventured up the companion stairs and indulged in glance forward. Except for a group of sailors doing some sail patching in the shade Of the chart house, no one was visible. The vessel rocked gently, and far forward there was sound of hammerlng. The mate would be there overseeing the job, whatever it might be. Surely no bet ter opportunity than this could be given.
 stole back, silent and unobserved, listened an instant to Broussard's s steady breathing, then unlocked the captains door and entered his cabin. His wicked eyes, blazing with hate, glared at me as approached, and, in spired by some sudden feeling of sym pathy, bent over and removed the gag from his mouth. The result was an outburst of profanity, bristling with threats. But these as instantly ceased as picked up the cloth again
 '.Do you mean to kill me?" he asked.
 "Not unless I have to, but I hold some things more valuable than your life. Just at present I mean to look i over your papers,