The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1914-08-15

the sea recently. and that's about the
only way you're likely TO get back to-
England for long time TO come.
You've difficult proposition ahead OF
you, and what is more. l meant ex-
put you in irons IL you try any mon
key business"
You don't really?" Harcourt
gasped.
IL most certainly do. and don't you
forget It," came the prompt response.
Have a cigar?"
Realizing that he could not move
Cornish. Harcourt gave up trying. but
for the remainder OF the day the
Americans attitude ranked In his
breast. Nothing that would add to his
comfort was left undone. and both the
millionaire and his daughter exerted
themselves to the utmost to make the
days pass pleasantly for Harcourt, but
whenever he brought up the subject
OF returning TO London his sugges-
ton was fatty and unceremoniously
vetoed by Cornish.
And as the days passed Harcourt
tried TO content himself with his sit.
uation. But he could not help think,
ing OF his fiancee, and wondering what
had happened since his disappear
ance. Thu thought that Grace night
now be deeply involved In the affair.
troubled him. Times without number
no told himself that Il was absurd.to
connect her with the murder, yet her
wearing OF the mysterious and con-
stantly recurring monogram, fed his
suspicious until he could not lose
them.
What was II sho had done that she
would not tell him about? What did
she know of it all he wondered. And
sometimes--still doubtful as TO his
own par. in the crime, he thoughtjhe
could go mad. Since tho first daysout
he had eagerly watched the horizon
for signs Of other craft. Whenever
Whitford observed sail or the smoke
from steamers stack. however, the
yachts course was promptly altered.
and soon all OF them were left far
astern. ,;7I.r>s> q 8 4
~ more than a week now there
had been nothing on any side ebut
the broad expanse OF sea, and the
Murita, with all on board, was assc1m-
pletely isolated from the rest Of che
world as IL the yacht had left II.
Yet Harcourt was sure that England
lay not far away TO the east. He re.
allied, too, that he was but se6om
left alone, and that during the long
daylight hours, either Cornish or his
daughter were constantly near him.
He was free 10 do as he liked. butyat
all times he felt keenly the fact that
he was prisoner.
At night, after the others had re-
tired, he frequently paced the deck
alone, smoking and wondering what
was being said OF him ashore. He
wondered, too, how Kandwahr Jared.
and then he would recall the dagger
with its strange marking. until the
curious monogram. flashing through
his brain, brought back again the hor-
ror IL had frst struck into him. There
was a weird sense OF terror for him
in the thing. and he asked himself a
thousand times what the symbol
might represent To him ii meant
only haunting doubts and strange
fears, yet he knew that the character
held a meaning that would solve the
whole problem If he could only dis
cover IL.
Gradually he struck up a friendship
with Benson, the second officer, who
always stayed nearby when Harcourt
walked on the deck at night. He was
a young man OF good looks and pleas
ant manners, and he seemed ready
enough to talk whom Harcourt APP
preached him, Often as the yacht
plowed through the swelling seas the
two talked for hours, and frequently
Benson told Harcourt OF the country
that he and Cornish claimed as home.
Sometimes Harcourt wondered how
much Benson knew concerning him,
but as Cornish had warned him not
to reveal his identity. he RETAINED
from questioning the man on the sub
feet. Talking to him seemed to relieve
the strain OF the long nights when he
could not rest alone in his cabin, and
gradually, after several extended con-
versations, lHarcourt wondered IL he
could not make use Of Benson.
He considered the Idea carefully
and at least resolved TO try IL. II the
Murita would put in al any port, Har-
court knew he could reach Scotland
Yard by telegraph within few hours
and advise MacBee OF the reason for
his disappearance as well as his de-
sire to return. So. when they were
alone again on the deck the following
night. he made his first attempt.
Benson" he began, as he leaned
against the rail, what would you con-
slider great deal Of money!"
Il don't know why?" said tho
officer
IL mean what do you consider your
prospects worth--what do you expect,
10 have when you go back home and
ask some girl TO marry your"
an. - Itt.gI,s a.