The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1915-07-31
CHAPTER XIV.
Brofhn's Equation.

Having Clerk Maurice's telegram 10
time the oyertaking approach, Broffin
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.
IL took It for granted you'd be
along" was Maurices greeting. What
bank robber are we running away
with now?"
Brofnn grinned.
I'm still after the one you took on
In the place OF John Gayitt"
"Humph," said the clerk. sleepily ;
Il thought that one was Jphp Gayittf
mo; he merely took GEsitt's place
and name. Tell me aiIffyop Know
about him"
II don't know anything about him,
except that he was fool enough to pull
Buck McGrath out OF the river just
after McGrath had tried to bump him
over the bows"
"Of course, so far as you know. no.
body on the boat suspected that the
fellow who called himself Gavitt 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?"
at was one day Just after the man.
overheard incident, little while after
dusk in the evening. / was up here
In the texas. getting ready to go to
supper. Gavitt-we may as well keep
on calling him that till you've found
another name for him-Gavltt had
been clubbing for the pilot. l saw him
go across the hurricane-deck guards:
and a minute later heard him talking
to somebody "a woman-on the
guards below"
"You didn't hear what was said?"
Il didn't pay any attention. Pas
sengers. woman passengers. especial
ly, often do that--pull up a 'roustie'
and pry into him 20 see what sort OF
wheels he has. But I noticed that
they talked for quite a little while;
because. when finished dressing and
went below, he was just leaving her. ("
Broffin rose up from the bunk on
which he had been sitting and laid q
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 20 as far forward as the
stanehion she was holding to. All I
can tell you Is that she was one OF
the half-dozen or SO younger women
we had on board; could guess at
that much"
Broffin's oath was not OF anger; Il
was mere upbubbllng OF disappoint-
ment
Maurice, I've got to find that young
woman II | have TO chase her halfway
round the globe. and it's tough luck to
figure out that II you hadn't been In
such blazing hi OF a hurry to
get your supper that night, might be
able TO catch up with her In the next
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. Wen take tho won.
en- as they come. and when you've
helped me Gull out the names OF the
ones you're sure 10 wasn't, Ill screw
my nut and quit buEzlng you"
The clerk went below and returned
almost Immediately with the list. To-
sether they went over II carefully. and
BY dint OF much memory.wrinsing
Maurice was able to give the detec-
tive leave to cancel ten OF the IL
names In the wonen's list. the remain
! Ing seven including all the mIsht-have-
beens who could possibly be fitted
-
.