The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-06
CHAPTER XIV.
Droffin's Equation.

CHAPTER XIV.
Broffin's Equation.
Having Clerk Maurice's telegram to
time the overtaking approach. Brofnn
found the Belle Julie backing and fill.
ing for her berth. at the Vicksburg
landing when, after hasty Vicksburg
breakfast. he had himself driven to
the river front.
Going aboard as soon as the swing
stage was lowered. he found Maurice.
with whom he had something more
than a speaking acquaintance. just
turning out Of his bunk in the texas.
81 took 1t for granted you'd be
along" was Maurice's greeting. what
bank robber are we running away
with now?"
Broffin grinned
I'm still after the one you took on
In the place Of John Gavitt."
"Humph!" said the clerk, sleepily;
n thought that one was John Gavitt."
mo: he merely took Gavitt's place
and name. Tell me all you know
about him"
Il don't know anything about him.
except that he was fool enough to pull
Buck Mc(srath out Of the river just
after McGrath had tried to bump him
over the bows"
"Of course, 80 far as you know, no.
body on the boat suspected that the
fellow who called himself Gavftt was
anything but the 'roustie' he was pass
ing himself of for? You didn't know
Of his having any talk with any Of the
upper-deck people?"
"Only once" said the day clerk.
promptly.
when was that?"
1T was one day Just after the man
overheard incident. a little while after
dusk in the evening. I was up here
In the texas, getting ready to 60 to
supper. Gavitt-we may as we'll keep
on calling him that till you've found
another name for him-Gavitt had
been clubbing for the pilot. saw him
90 across the hurricane-deck guards;
and minute later l heard him talking
to somebody woman-On the
guards below"
"You didn't hear what was said?"
Il didn't pay any attention. Pas.
sensers, woman passengers. especial
". often do that-pull up q 'roustie'
and pry into him to see what sort of
wheels he has. But noticed that
they talked for quite q little while;
because, when I finished dressing and
went below. he was just leaving her. a"
Broffin rose up from the bunk on
which be had been sitting and laid a
heavy hand on Matrices shoulder.
"You amt going to tell me that you
didn't find out who the woman was.
Clarence-what? he said anxiously.
That's just what I've got to tell
you. Matt" returned the clerk, reluc.
family. Il was due at the second table
and didn't go as far forward as the
stanchion she was holding to. All
can tell you il that she was one Of
the half-dozen or 80 younger women
We hou VA oouhu, Souiu 6ucSc -
that much"
Broffln's oath was not of anger; II
was mere upbubbling Of disappoint
ment
Maurice, I've got to find that young
woman IL have to chase her halfway
round the globe, and it's tough luck tc
figure out that il you hadn't been in
such . blazing HI Of Q hurry tG
get your supper tlat night. might be
able to catch up with her in the mex,
forty-eight hours or SO. But what's
done Is done. and can't be helped
Chase out and get your passenger
list for that trip. Well take the WON
en- as they come. and when you've
helped me Gull out the names Of thu
ones you're sure it wasn't, Ill screw
my nut and quit buzzing you"
The clerk went below and returned
almost Immediately with the list. To
eether they went over 1t carefully, an,
by dint OF much memory-wringinl
Maurice was able to give the detec
tive leave to cancel ten Of the 1
names In the women's list, the remain
ing seven including all the might-have
beens who could possibly be fitte,
into the clerks recollection of tn
AomaD be bad seer. cliRgipg to n