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

second officer and the other man
came in. Out of Difference to his
rank he had put on his cap, beneath
which his ruddy face rose from the
jacket of suit of pajamas.
He eyed his unceremonious visitor
with frank interest as he came in.
His keen gray eyes widened some
what when the coolie drew himself
up to attention and gave him cor
rect military salute.
''Well WE'LL" grumbled the captain.
Who are you, my man."
Captain" replied the newcomer.
al am Lieutenant Edward Gafford-
some time of the L. S. Engineers"
"GafTordw The captain started
and stammered. cold Dan GaffOrd's
son Ned?"
"The same, sir"
Spry's face grew a more ruddy
color. You've got a crust to come
aboard a government vessel, ! must
say, Gatford," he burst out gruftiy.
81 heard you'd COM this side, but !
never looked for mis-"
Gaford felt re blood rush into his
own cheeks at the words, but he con-
trolled himself by an effort.
IL don't wish to speak of the past,
but of the present, captain" he said
coldly 81 came out here for only
one purpose. 1t was to tell you that
Miss GcRae was kidnapped tonight
fronB'the Hotel Nippon by the Jap
anefe"
I kidnapped? Miss Shiela ?" Spry
repeated dryly. "What sor- Of
airy story is that"
"It's the truth sir, and | think !
can prove what | say. | happen to
know that her father left her at the
Nippon while he went secretly to
Tokyo | also know that he has not
returned, yet tonight Miss McRae re-
ceived what purported to be letter
from him, asking her to leave the
hotel and come to him aboard the
yacht. She"
Hold onw interrupted Spry. How
did you get hold of those facts =?
Where did such letter come from ?"
"From this ship"
That's a liza damnable lie!
nov led the captain. What are you
up to, Gafford? That is, if you are
Gafford. Are you acting as Japan
csc spy? You sold your country
once. Arc you"
"Stopw Gafford leaned forward
with clenched hands and barred teeth.
Captain Spry, if it wasn't that ]
CAM afford to quarrel with you, be-
cause our country needs US both, act
ing in concert, at this minute, J would
make you eat that cowardly remark.
What if | can prove that that letter
came from the Manufactures writ
ten aboard her and used to lure Miss
McRae 10 her fate ?"
"I'll apologize and believe you a
wronged man from first TO last"
flared Spry, with total confidence.
Good I'll remember that prom
ise," accepted Gafford. 'Now tell
me, have YOU Jap steward aboard 2"
eyes"
"Where did you get him -
where did we get him? Why,
good Lord we picked him up before
we cleared! He's ben with us all the
way across"
"Does he read and write English ?"
Guess he does" admitted the cap
tain. "He turns in his lists and re-
QUESTIONS in that"
Write a good hand? ?"
Fair"
"Is he aboard now-tonight ,"
81 believe so, Why"
Suppose you call couple Of men
and we go see," suggested Gafford.
at would be interesting to know
Spry shot him glance and shook
his head. "No need Of starting talk
he decided. "I'll send Mathison to
call him" He glanced at the second
officer. who turned and left the room.
81 presume" he resumed after the
mate was gone" that you mean the
steward wrote this decoy note 2"
"Not only that" said Gafford, "but
I believe that he forged Secretary
McRae's handwriting, so that Miss
McRae had no reason to doubt the
authenticity of the note"
"But how do you know it worked?
Maybe she did doubt it, queried
iShiela McRae is no fool, young
man."
Gafford shook his head. at worked,
Captain Spry. A man named Oshitu,
a member of the war party and an
officer in their army, went to the Mp
pom tonight and represented himself
as an escort sent to take hcr to the
yacht She left ] know, for ! have
been 70 the NippC.. They brought
her II the water front, took "A SAM
pan. and carried her To an island just
below Us. ! followed, and J was just
too late TO stop their getting away
i'm a launch"
Captain Spry swore in amazement:
''You mean to say" he began and
paused. A sound Of running footsteps
came from the outer alley, and Math-
ison burst in. The salute he gave
was perfunctory in the extreme, and
he bcgan speaking even as he raised
his Land. "The steward 10 not in
quarters, captain. took the liberty
OF looking around bit. Apparent
''he's left the ship-cleared out.
tptain Bill Spry came out OF his
in bound. "By Heavenp he
turning to Gafford. 1T be-
look as il you knew more
n was going on on my ship
Come along, both of you,
rch that yellow sneak's
thout waiting even to
re feet into slippers, he
nd turned forward to-
ards cabin.
MathIson followed.