The Holly chieftain., 1915-07-02
Copyright, 1915, by Otis F, Wood
TENTH INSTALlMENT
CHAPTER XXI.
THE SHIP OF HORROR.

Quest leaned little forward and
sazed down the line of steamer chairs.
The professor, in 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 a pleasure cruise" Quest re-
marked grimly, this little excursion
seems to be complete success"
Laura opened her eyes at once.
TRYING to get my goat again. eh?"
she retorted. 81 suppose that's what
you're after. Going to tell me. l sup
pose, that it wasn't Craig l saw aboard
this steamer
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
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, I
must say I have come 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. cor else he jumped overheard"
Come on, Harris, you and I prom
ised to report to the captain this
morning. I 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?"
"No 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 un-
known to your steward. and not appar-
ant to us, the man is not on board"
The captain frowned Slightly.
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
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 carpet-sweeper in his hand.
Room wants cleaning out badly,
sir"
The captain glanced distastefully at
the carpet-sweeper.
DO it when l am at dinner, then,
he ordered, land 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 at
his ease, does he?"
Seemed a trife overanxious. |
thought, when he was showing us
round the ship" Quest agreed
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 big
cameo brooch at her throat and
black satin bag in her hand, was being
shown by the steward to seat by
Quests side. She acknowledged the
captains greeting acidly.
Good evening, captain she said. Il
understood from the second steward
chat the seat on your right hand would
be reserved for me. l am Mrs. Fos-
,Eou Rowe