The Huttig news., 1915-07-31
TENTH INSTALLMENT
CHAPTER XXI.
THE SHIP OF HORROR.

THE SHIP OF HORROR.
 Guest leaned little forward and gazed 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 dozing tranquilly. Mir. 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 2" she retorted. q suppose that's what you're after. Going to tell me, SUD- pose, that 1t wasn't Craig saw aboard this steamer%
 We are all liable to make mis- takes" Quest observed, and am in- clined to believe that this is one of yours"
 Laura.s expression was little dog ged.
 ''If he's too clever for you and MT. Harris" she said, '1 can't help that. I only know that he came on board. My eyes are the one thing in life do believe"
 If you'll excuse me saying so, Miss Laura" Harris ventured, leaning def erentially towards Der, there isn't 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, must say I have come to the same conclusion as MT. 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, "or else he jumped overheard"
 Come on. Harris, you and prom ised to report to the captain this morning don't suppose he'll be any too pleased with us. Let's get through with 1t.
 The two men walked down the deck together They found the captain alone in his room, with a 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. l"Your steward has given us every as- sistance possible and we have searched the ship thoroughly Un- less he has found hiding place un- known to your steward, and not appar- ent to us, the man Is not on board The captain drowned slightly.
 You are not suggesting that this is possible, suppose?'
 Quest did not at once reply. He was thinking of Laura's obstinacy.
 Personally" he admitted. q should not have believed 1t possible. The young lady of our party, however, who declares that she saw Craig board the steamer, Is quite immovable."
 Brown" said the captain, turning to the steward, q 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 1t is i'm possible for anyone to remain hidden in this ship?"
 Absolutely. sir"
 You hear, gentlemen?' the captain containued. T 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 a carpet-sweeper in his hand.
 Room wants cleaning out badly, sir"
 The captain glanced distastefully at the carpet-sweeper.
 Do 1t when I am at dinner. then, he ordered, "and 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 trine overanxious, l