Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1915-01-02

The stewards cabin was empty.
Spry, MathisOn and Gafford stood
and stared around. The place was
neat as a pin. The bunk, neatly
made, had not been disturbed. A
small steamer trunk peeped from be-
meath the berth. Spry stopped and
dragged it out. IT was locked.
mo trace" growled the captain.
We'll. anyway, Mr.. Gafford, | guess
this proves your case-on the face OF
il, at least
wait Bit" said Gafford. With
a quick stride ne crossed TO the fold
ing desk IN the bulkhead upon which
the absent steward had kept his ac-
counts. It's key was sticking in its
lock Gafford turned it and let the
leaf drop outward and down. In the
neat compartments were tied bundles
and pads of paper and a small lea
ther-bound book. 1t was the latter
which Gafford drew out and laid on
the leaf.
He opened it and saw that it was
the stewards record of stores and
supplies. Leafng its pages rapidly,
he came to the final entry and stop
ped appalled,, scarcely believing his
eyes.
Pasted to the leaf of the book was
a single sheet of paper, embossed
with the name of the yacht. His
eyes swept over the written lines it
contained, and he drew short
breath. Success beyond his widest
dreams had come to him in the last
moment. The tale of the geisha to
Kate stood verified. With pounding
pulse he finished the written proof.
On Board the Yacht.
Shiela:-I've come back from the
capitol quite unexpectedly this even
ing. ! am on the yacht now, in con-
ference with Prince Ito, and as soon
as we have finished it will be neces-
sary to get away. As time presses,
the prince has been so good as to ask
Captain Hashimoto of his staff to
act as your escort from the hotel.
Pack your bags and come with him
at once. enclose enough to settle
with the hotel, In haste,
Below this, with the methodical
impassivity of his race, the man had
written: Account balanced and
closed"
II SCGlllStl 10 NtdilOIu lIitl lOW III
deed his fate had stepped in and TAX
en- a directing hand, which had led
him TO the book. The steward had
purposely arranged for the discovery
Of his work, but had not expected it
tC be so soon. Yet he had meant
that il should be discovered, and had
deliberately Haunted his treachery in
the faces of those he had deceived.
Gafford could imagine him grinning
as he wrote, Account balanced and
closed" before putting the book on
its shelf.
A choking oath at his elbow reused
him and told him that Spry had also
read the living screeu which had
served to dupe the girl His ruddy
face was purple as he took the book
from Gafrord and thrust it under his
arm.
Its a deliberate challenge" he
growled hoarsely. "A thought out
admission that was all planned before
hand, just as you said. Account bal
anccd and closedH Like hell it is; it's
just opened! That settles it. I'm with
you. What do you want me to do ?"
"Take me to Kobe" Gaiford told
him. Il happen TO know Oshitu will
make for there first. Can you do it at
once 2"
Spry nodded and swung upon the
gaping Mathison. Tell Mr.. Cough
to meet me at once in my cabin" he
directed. after you've done that,
rouse the chief and tell him to get
his engines ready for instant sailing.
Turn out your relief at once and
order away the launch. Tell the boat
swain to wait for Mr.. Cough and
take orders from him. That's all.
Co..
The second" saluted and set of at
run. Spry motioned Gafford to fol-
low and returned to his own cabin.
There he seated himself at a desk
and began to write. When he had
finished he passed what he had writ
ten TO Gafford, who read:
On Board the Nantucket, Nagaski.
c. Nj. Aver, u. S. Embassy, Tokyo.
Information received that Miss
Shiela has been abducted from the
hotel by representatives of war
party. Have party on board who
believes he knows point of abduct-
ors' destination. No doubt Of his de-
pendability. Am sailing for Kobe
at once. Advise at u. S. Consulate
there. Spry, Captain.
Gafford smiled as he handed back
the message to Shiela's father. The
vouching for his own integrity of
motive fred his purpose. With "A
thrill he heard footballs approaching.
and a rap fell on the door.
Come" called Spry.
The door opened to admi. stall
wart individual in the uniform of
first officer. He came i'm quickly and
brought his hand smartly to salute.
Spry handed the message to him.
wake up Mr. keyes of the wire
less" he ordered, "and have him code
that. I've called away the launch for
you. Go ashore with the code and
get it off at once. Return here as
quickly as you can. We sail imme-
diately."
"Shall ! arrange the clearance ?"
inquired Cough.
"Confound the clearance-read
that messagew snapped Spry. mo
oody's going to tie me up with red
tape while I've got boat like the
Nantucket under my feet"