Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1915-07-09
TENTH INSTALLMENT
CHAPTER XXI.
THE SHIP OE HORROR.

gazed down the line OF steamer chairs.
The professor, In a borrowed overcoat
and cap was reclining at full length,
studying book on seagulls which he
had found In the library Laura and
Lenora were both doing TRANQUILITY
Mr. Harris Of Scotland Yard was deep
In volume Of detective stories
"As pleasure cruise" Quest re-
marked grimly, this little excursion
seems to be a complete success
Laura opened her eyes at once.
Trying to get my goat again, eh?"
she retorted Il suppose that's what
you're after Going to tell me, sup
pose, that 1t wasn't Craig saw aboard
this steamer
I'VE are all liable to make mis-.
takes" Quest observed, and | am in
cllned to believe that this Is one OF
yours"
Laura's expression was little dog
ged.
III he's too clever for you and Mr..
Harris" she said, II cant help that.
| only know that he came on board.
My eyes are the one thing In life | do
believe"
III you'll excuse me saying so, Miss
Laura Harris yentured, leaning def.
erentially towards her. there isn't
passenger on board this ship. or
servant, or one Of the crew, whom we
haven't seen We've been into every
stateroom, and we've even searched
the hold. We've been over the ship.
backwards and forwards, The cap
tain's own steward has been our guide |
and we've conducted an extra search |
on our own account. Personally, |
must say | have como to the same
conclusion as Mr. Quest. At the pres
ent moment there is no such person
as the man we are looking for on
board this steamer"
Then he either changed into an
other one" Laura declared obstinate.
ly, or else he Jumped overheard"
Come on Harris, you and prom
ised to report to the captain this
morning don't suppose he'll be any
too pleased with us Let's get through |
with It.
The two men walked down the deck
alone In his room, with chart spread
out In front OF him and pair OF com
passes In his hand He turned round
and greeted them
"Well?"
mo luck, SIR" Quest announced
Your steward has given us every as.
sistance possible and we have
searched the ship thoroughly I'm
less he has found hiding place I'M
known to your steward. and not appar-
ent to us, the man is not on board"
The captain frowned slightly.
"You are not suggesting that this Is
possible, l suppose
Quest did not at once reply. He
was thinking OF Laura's obstinacy
Personally" he admitted II should
not have believed 1t possible. The
young lady of our party, however, who
declares that she saw Craig board the
steamer, Is quite immovable."
Brown" said the captain, turning
to the steward, Il understand that you
say that you have taken these gentle
men into every corner OF the ship, that
you have ransacked every possible
hiding place, that you have given them
every possible opportunity OF search
ing for themselves"
That is quite true, sir" the man
acknowledged.
You agree with me that II is I'm
possible for anyone to remain hidden
In this ship"
Absolutely, sir"
You hear, gentlemen" the captain
containued. Il really can do no more
What the mischief are you hanging
about for. Brown" he asked, turning
to the steward. who was standing by
with a carpet-sweeper In his hand.
Room wants cleaning out badly.
sir"
The captain glanced distastefully at
the carpet-sweeper.
DO 1t when | am at dinner, then,
he ordered, and take that damned
thing away"
The steward obeyed promptly Quest
and Harris followed him down the
deck
"Queerlooking fellow, that" the lat
ter remarked. Doesn't seem quite at
his ease, does he?"
Seemed trihe overanxious,
thought when he was showing US
round the ship" Quest agreed.
Men," Harris murmured. softly,
"as the gentleman who wrote the vol
ume of detective stories | AIN reading
puts 1t. TO keep our eye on
The captain, who was down to din.
ner unusually early. rose to welcome
Quests little party, and himself ar
ranged the seats
They settled down into the places
arranged for them
An elderly lady, dressed In some
what oppressive black, with a big
cameo brooch at her throat and
black satin bag In her hand, was being
shown by the steward to q seat BY