The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1915-04-24

|, Then he is at the bottom of this
plot?'
probably is the plot-with a few
helpers" replied Marsh. with an oracu.
lar smile.
But the captain? Can he be- be.
gan Brill.
No need. Benedict has the wireless
thanks TO Thurston's not showing up
Perhaps I've done Thurston an injus-
tice. Mebbe Benedict fixed him so he
couldn't come aboard. Anyway. I'd
give a good deal for half an hour OF
that gentleman's services right now"
Neither spoke again for a few min.
utes. Brill chewcd ~viciously Mt an un
lighted cigar. while Marsh balanced
II Of Aristides' files on n fat forefn.
ger. watching the process ms If the bit
of iron were some divining rod that
would presently swing toward a solu.
tion OF the mystery. Brill was the
first 10 break the silence.
Il suppose the best thing we can dc
is to lay the facts before Captain Hum.
phries." he ventured. more for the sake
Of drawing Marsh Out than from any
definite conviction on the subject. The
stout man shook his head.
The best thing we can do. my boy"
he said quietly. lis TO keep our fingers
of. What real evidence is there:
You and | know Benedict read Jenni-
sons message and wrote the answer.
but can we prove it?'
Brill Lodded acquiescence. He knew
that the penciled yagaries that had
convinced them We're even less than
circumstantial evidence, and he ac-
knowledged that, in his w case at
least. personal hatred had already
Judged a man guilty. But it seemed TO
him that there must be something that
could defeat this plot. if plot il We're,
and lie said as much 10 his companion.
1.-The best thing we can do" repeated
Marsh. lis to say nothing and saw
wood-unless. of course. we get gen
uine proof. Anyway. it's the insurance
and steamship companies that will be
robbed if we are right. The Jenni-
sons
At the sound of the name he loved
So well. Brill dropped into a chair and
grasped the arms. ms if some physical
shock had deprived him OF all his
strength. For a moment his heart grew
cold and his face famed. He could not
trust himself TO speak. but with Il hand
that actually shook he drew his copy
Of the Dorr dispatch from his pocket
and held it before Marsh. pointing to
the words. go yourself with the ship
ment."
Then did their significance and what
they meant TO Overton dawn upon his
friend.
"IIc will COZ" he asked.
He says il Is his duty" was the
grave reply.
Marsh appeared TO soliloquizc.
ut will do no good to try TO persuade
him." he murmured. "Benedicts his
friend. He doesn't know us. Even
Toms n~ewfangled signature didn't
give him any doubt. did it, he asked
in louder tone. lifting his eyes 10 Brill.
NO; he thought 1t was because of
the Importance of the affair. He be
lieves the money will be lost. or ut the
best. the deal spoiled. If he doesn't 60
The rubicund face was here disfig-
ured by n heavy frown. and the lids
almost closed over the blne eyes. CIV
ing the commercial man the air OF See
ing a distant vision. ~
.What could he do. ethn If he be-
lieved us:" he asked slo thR They'll
have a nice time diggin. eu5 the gold
and transferring it. TirG stuff must
weigh something like seventy 'or eighty
tons"
Brill recalled that there was a point
upon which he could astonish even
Marsh.
..The thirty millions in the hold are
billed as pig lead" he said Impress
lively.
The other gave Il long whistle
1.-THE devil you say" he shouted.
And not insured!"
Brill shook his head.
~..Jennison's people will be ruined.
The companies will claim fraud and
shirk all responsibility. Does Benedict
know OF this?"
"Mr. Jennison himself told him. re-
piled Brill. proceeding to give an ac-
count of the conversation he had heard
outside his stateroom early In the voy-
age. Marsh communed with his own
interior consciousness for a moment,
then said suddenly: