Evening star., 1915-03-28

Mrs. Carmac wouldn't hear of it. l must
push on for Lorient, she said-an' the pore
gentleman we've just planted on top of the
hill there was chaffin her about bein' afraid
o spooks Sink mel Who's the spook now3"
II don't see what ghosts had to do with
Pont Aven,' said Fosdyke sharply.
@Neither do l, Sir said Popple. at was
funny remark, look at it anyway you like"
3Both of you seem to forget Mrs. Carmac's
niece put in Raymond suavely. The con-
versation had suddenly taken a dangerous
turn, and it must be headed deftly into a
safer channel.
"What of herr" demanded Fosdyke.
"Well, she represents the family disagree
ment that estranged Mrs. Carmac and the
late Mrs Ingersoll. You see, Mr.. Fosdyke,
your aunt was aware that her sister lived
here, but evidently did not know she was
dead. That fact would account for her dis
inclination to visit Pont Aven. In word,
Fate drove us on to that wretched reef
which you, Captain, will see more of if this
fine weather lasts. How goes the salvage
scheme?"
"Ive got a diver, an the right sort of
craft to stand by. Has its own steam, an a
derrick, an it'll be alongside Les Verres at
nine o'clock tomorrow morning. I'm sorry
can't find that chap Peridot. They tell
me he's away with the fishin' fleet but some
of the boats may come in by tonight's tide
"What is there to salve?" said Fosdyke.
"Banknotes, an jew Try, an dockyments,
said Popple.
Rather a wild-goose chase, isn't it?"
"This is a point on which Our worthy
friend and differ" put in the secretary. II
bow to his superior judgment, of course but
l shall be vastly surprised if he brings ashore
anything worth having"
"1t's bit of handicap not havin' Peri
dot" grumbled the sailor.
"Who is Peridot?" demanded Fosdyke.
"a Breton, whom Mr. Ingersoll employs
occasionally on his CUTTER" explained Ray
mond. "He, and an American named Tolle-
mache, together with Mr.. Ingersoll and his
daughter, were concerned in the rescue"
"Nlighty lucky thing for the rest of you
that they were at sea that day!" commented
Fosdyke, with a certain viciousness born of
thought that had darted through his mind.
at was close call, I'm told. Two minutes
after the last man was taken off the Stella
smashed up"
Raymond smiled. He knew exactly what
this dutiful nephew was thinking. Had the
Stella been lost with all on board there
would have been some chance of the Carmac
estate passing to nephew and nieces, not
withstanding the will. Mrs. Carmac might
first, or, failing that, her relatives might
have remained unknown.
"Mrs. Carmac means to present Peridot
with a sardine boat of his own," he said,
waiting until Fosdyke was surfeited with
the gall of his own evil notion. "Then," he
went on, gazing contemplatively at cart
laden with casks of cider numbering across
the square, then, am given to understand,
Peridot will marry girl named Madeleine
Demoret, and settle down in prosperity and
content"
There was pause. Captain Popple, who
really had no reason to complain of any de-
ficiency of vision, either literal or figurative,
poured out another glass of champagne, and
watched the wine creaming.
"This fortunate person, Peridot, owns
queer name,' said Fosdyke, surveying the
secretary with a steady scrutiny. "Isn't
beridot precious stone of sorts?"
"Yes; but his real name is Larraidou
The other is only a nickname, arising from
the curious color of his eyes He's by way
of being humorist too; though fancy he
could reveal very ugly disposition if
reused"
"Humor of any variety is surely out of
place in Pont Aven," said Fosdyke. "Here's
to Peridot remaining several days with the
fishing heet-and damn his eyes!" He rose
and went out.
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