Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1915-07-08
TENTH INSTALLMENT
CHAPTER XXI.
THE SHIP OF HORROR.


Guest leaned a little forward and
gazed down the line Of steamer chairs.
The professor. In borrowed overcoat
and cap, was reclining at full length,
studying a 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 a 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, Ell?
she retorted. II suppose that's what
you're after. Going to tell me, sup
pose. that it wasn't Craig saw aboard
this steamer
1--WE are all liable to make mis-
takes" Quest observed, "and I am In
clined to believe that this is one OF
yours"
Laura's expression was little dog
ged.
eff he's too clever for you and Mr..
Harris" she said, IT can't help that.
I only know that he came on board.
My eyes are the one thing in life do
believe"
IF you'll excuse me saying so, Miss
Laura" Harris ventured, leaning def
erentially towards her, there isn't a
passenger on board this ship, or a
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 orr own account. Personally, !
must say I have come to the same
conclusion as Mr.. Quest. At the pres
emit 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
ily. cor else he jumped overheard"
Come on, Harris, you and prom
Used 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
together. They found the captain
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 a hiding place I'M
known to your steward, and not appar-
emit to us, the man is not on board"
The captain frowned slightly.
"You are not suggesting that this is
possible. I suppose?'
Quest did not at once reply. He
was thinking of Laura's obstinacy.
Personally" he admitted, Il 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 It is i'm
possible for anyone to remain hidden
in this ship?"
Absolutely, sir"
"You hear, gentlemen?" the captain
containued II 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 l am at dinner, then,
he ordered, "and take that damned
thing away"
The steward obeyed promptly. Quest
and Harris followed him down the
deck
"Queer-looking fellow, that" the lat
ter remarked. Doesn't seem quite al
his ease, does he?"
Seemed a trife overanxious,