The Washington herald., 1914-04-05


theless, Won Heumann reappeared as
though nothing had happened to him. his
German cap over his eyes and his mus
taches brushing the peak. And by Il
o'clock We were quit OF Genoa. The Las,
passenger had come aboard at the last
moment-a fussy graybeard who kept
the big ship waiting while he haggled
with his boatman over half a Ira But
at length We were on. the tug was shed.
the lighthouse passed, and Rafffes and
leaned together over the rail, watching
our shadows on the pale green, liquid.
veined marble that again washed the
vessels side
Won Heumann was having his innings
once more; It was part OF the design
that Raffies shvLId remain in all day,
and so postpone the inevitable hour:
and. though the lady looked bored. and
was for ever glancins in our direction.
he seemed only too willing to avail him.
self of his opportunities. But Raffies
was moody and i'll at ease. He had not
the air Of a successful man. could but
opine that the impending parting at Ma
! pies sat heavily on his spirit.
! We shall be within a ten miles swim
OF the shore most of the day." he said.
What on earth are you driving at.
Raffies?"
Nothing; only shall swim for 1t il
| the worst comes to the worst
why should the worst come to the
WORST" l whispered. I'VE aren't found
out. are we?''
NO
Then why speak as though we were?"
We may be; an old enemy of ours is
on board"
IAN old enemy?'
Mackenzie"
Never
THE man with the beard who came
aboard last"
Are You sure?'
Sure. l saw him go into the captains
cabin twenty minutes ago."
But what can have brought him.
cried miserabIy.
Raffies shook his head.
II begin to wish I'd taken your advice
Bunny. and left the ship at Genoa. But
I've not the smallest doubt that Mac was
watching both ship and station till the
last moment. That's why he ran it so
fine"
case. but I shook my head impatientIy.
Il still don't understand said l.
What's your own theory"
Simply that he's been on my track for
some time, probably ever since friend
Crawshay slipped clean through his fin
gers last November There have been
other indications. I am really not I'M
prepared for this. But it can only be
pure suspicion. I'll defy him to bring
anything home, and I'll defy him to find
the pearl, Theory. my dear Bunny? I
know how he's got here as well as
though I'd been inside that Scotchman's
skin. and know what he'll do next He
found out I'd gone abroad. and looked
for a motive; he found out about Won
Heumann and his mission, and there was
his motive cut and dried. Great chance
TO nab me on a new job altogether. But
he won't do 1t. Bunny: mark my words.
he'll search the ship and search us all,
when the loss is known; but he'll search
in vain. And there's the skipper beck
oning the whipper snapper to his cabin;
the fat will be in the fire in five min
utes"'
There was something sinister in 81 !
lence under such a loss. and the silence |
was sustained for hours during which |
Mackenzie never reappeared. But he |
was abroad during the luncheon hour-l
he was in our cabin! had left my book
in Rallies berth. and in taking II after
lunch touched the quilt. 1t was warm
from the recent pressure of flesh and
blood and on an instinct sprang to the
ventilator: as I opened it the ventilator
opposite was closed with a snap.
I waylaid Raffies. "An right. Let him
find the pearl
He turned on his heel. and at subse-
quent intervals I saw him making the
most of his last afternoon with the in
evitable Miss Werner And I saw him
next in the captains cabin.
They had summoned him first; he had
gone in smiling: and smiling found him
when they summoned me- The stateroorn
was spacious. as befitted that of a COM
mander. Mackenzie sat on the settee.
his beard in front OF him on the polished
table; but revolver lay in front of the
captain: and. when had entered, the |
>hief officer. who had summoned me.
shut the door and put his back to it. Won
Heumann completed the party. his fin
gers busy with his mustache. II
Raffles greeted me- I
This is a great joke he cried. You 5
the pearl you we're so keen t
Ibout. Bunny. the Emperor's pearl, the l
'earl money wouldn't buy? 1t seems IL
vas intrusted to our little friend here L
o take out to Canoodle Dunn. and the n
'oor little chaps gone and lost it; ergo. $
IS were Britishers. they think we've I
,ot it,"
But / know ye have" put in Mac V
enzie. nodding his beard c
But you recognize that loyal and pa
riotic voice. said Raff1es. Mon, 'tisI $
Yard an Scoteland itserr" S
Dat is enough cried the captain. O
Have You submid to de SCARCE. or do i u
orce you?''
What you wilt" said Raflcs. but It v
'ill do you no harm to give US fair play "
rst. You accuse us of breaking into c
apt Won Heumann's stateroom during I
he small hours of this morning. and alb n
tracing from it this confounded pearl &
Veil. l can prove that l was in my own h
pom all night long. and l have no doubt
ly friend can prove the same"
Most certainly l can." said indig- h
antly. The ships boys can bear wit
ess to that" q
Mackenzie laughed. and shook his head
t his reflection in the polished mahog- |
ny. i b