The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1915-04-30
PROLOGUE e.

The action of the story has Its real
beginning on an ocean liner bound for
Europe and just leaving New York. 1t
has been boarded in haste on a winter
day by Overton Brill, an impctuous
wealthy young bachelor, who, attract
ed by a pretty girl accompanied by an
elderly gentleman. has followed them
aboard. Brill was On his way uptown
with Aristides Stebbins, his valet
known as Jay, when he saw the girl
Just after purchasing a valuable brace
let as a gift for a Miss Carstairs, The
passenger list reveals the names of the
pursued as Mr.. Andrew Jennison n
daughter. Brill finds himself without
money and negotiates With a dark In
dividual named Benedict for the ale
of the bracelet, receiving $500 for it,
with which he secures a de luxe cabin.
At dinner the conversation turns 10
the weather, and a Professor Penny
thorpe's storm prediction is placed be-
fore Captain HUMPHREYS for Judgment.
Brill makes the acquaintance of MT.
Jennison. and the two proceed to the
captains cabin to inspect a phenom-
email. wonderfully trained canary. At
luncheon Il iovial person, christopher
G. Marsh. introduces himself to Brill
Starting from a sound sleep Brill hears
through the window Benedict. the pro
fessor and Jennison discussing the
large shipment of gold aboard. Soon
after this he is rewarded by a smile
from Marion Jennison for a small
courtesy. Marsh is Informed that nc
has been selected to take charge OF
the Christmas concert. and he chooses
Brill. Marion Jennison, the professor
md Mrs. Blucher-Ward as his aids
Brill, known as Mir. Cverton. and Miss
.1enn;son have Il pleasant chat togeth
or. Icebergs and fog are reported. .Jen
nison, worrying about h gold, be
M sick. Professor Pennythorpe OBJ
serves that the ship is off it's course
Marsh notices that the captain hasn'
been at the dinner table for sevela
days. Professor Pennythorpe misse:
his seXtant and compass. Brill has
talk with Marion about the concer
and is later told by Benedict that tn
latter objects to his friendship Will
Marion. whom Benedict calls his fan
Gee. Brill meets Marsh On deck. Hear
ing a noise in a supposedly unoccupio'
stateroom, they investigate with tn
captain, but find nothing. The altere'
course OF the vessel frichtens the pas
who protest. Brill and Mars
look to Jay to assist in Il secret scare
Of tho mysterious StatCrOOm. \ wire
less reports that Russia has dcclare'
war against Great Britain. Marsh sus
poets Benedict OF having manufacture
the message. Professor pennNthorp
armed with y marine glass watches
strange craft approach astern. At tn
Christmas feast Brill becomes jealoU
Of Renedict'S attentions to Miss Jcl
nison. Marsh, still suspicious, COZ
tinues his Investigations of the my:
FERROUS noises. Knocking on the doc
Of room SO. he is confronted by til
smiling Benedict. Another war motto
Is posted up. Jennison contiocs t
Brill that $4,000 900 in gold is hein
shipped to Russia secretly. Jenn!so
wires his partner for Instructions an
sian ship. Marsh and Brill s,lspc,
that the dispatches We're tnmparo
with. The two visit the captain. bl
quickly leave on Brill seeing Il not
addressed to the captain from Ben
dict. which arouSes suspicion that IL
captain is i'll league with the co
spiratOrs.