The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-04-28

I cause OF series OF mysterious
knocks. which appeared To come
from small room aft on the lower
deck used for the storage OF signal
rockets, lights and other explo-
siyes.
"One OF them reported the mat
ter 10 NJ. Benuregard, who at once
went 10 the room and opened II.
Inside NJ. Vernon was discov-
cred lying on the floor. Near him
was Jug which had contained wa
ter. but was then nearly empty,
and the remains OF the large tin OF
biscuit
M Beauregard tells me that
the man appears TO be well, nltho
somewhat weak from his long con
finement. That II all know. but
We will soon hear the whole story
from Vernon himself"
In the course OF a few moments
the first officer resppesred, ac'
companied by tall. somewhat
heavily built man with dark
mustache and rather pale com
plexion.
Duyall regarded him keenly ms
they were introduced. He was
dressed In black sack suit very
much wrinkled and soiled. but his
| face was freshly shaver. lie APP
peared 90 be very weak and nj
once sank into a chair.
M. Vernon" remarked Beaure-
gard, as the purser sat down. has
been making himself a little more
preaentable."
II see that you have Just shaved.
monsieur" observed Duyall pleas
antly. 1T must have been very
refreshing after so long a time
1T was indeed" said the purser.
Il am greatly indebted 10 NJ. Beau
regard for the use OF HIS razor as
well az for the clean linen he has
been good enough To lend me"
Permit me to say" remarked
Duyall. that you are strikingiy
like your brother. Mr.. Charles Yer.
non. whom had the pleasure OF
meeting in New York"
His words seemed 10 cause the
purner the greatest surprise. i
do not understand you. monsieur
he said. Il have no brother-at
least not IN America"
Indeed Some one passed him
self off In that capacity at the
time OF your supposed death. A
man OF much the same build and
appearance as yourself, except that
| he had a short, curly black beard.
Vernon started slightly III must
have been he" he cried.
"who7'
"Gcn,lemcn"-the purser looked
about him sgita,edly--"it is true
that have q brother--a twin broth
er. IN fact. whom ! have not seen
for years supposed him 10 be in
| France. DO not ask me 20 accuse
him" lie seemed on the point of
breaking down
Tell uH the whole story. mon.
sieur." said Capt. Bonnet. kindly.
The purser glanced about him I'm
somewhat confused way. lit In
queer story. gentlemen" he said.
II myself do not know what Il
means. but will endcavor TO give
you the facts.
The last thing ! remember on
the night OF this strange occurrence
was sitting In my office. about l
O'Clock. figuring up my accounts.
"A little after there came =
tap upon my door. | put down my
account.book. went TO the door. and
threw II open.
"A man stood withou, whom I
remembered at once as Gunthcr.
tho attendant OF Haussman. the
rheumatic passenger from Brussels.
[ lie informed me the latter wished
/ 10 see me about placing In the safe
valuable piece OF iewelry which
I he had forgotten up to now.
Il put away my account-books.
| locked up the safe. and accompa-
MED Gunther to his cabin. |
thought Il queer at the time that
Hsussfnsn had postponed placing
his vaiuabies in my hands until this
hour OF the night. but put II down
TO the ecccntricities OF n sick and
Grabbed old man.
Il reached the stateroom and en-.
tered. Haursman was lying on his
berth fully dressed. He motioned
for me 10 approach. did so. when.
10 my surprise. he reached out his
arms and grasped me by the throat.
effectually preventing me from ut
tcrinE a sound. At tho same mo-
ment his companion attacked me
from behind.
"They then bound and gagged
me. Haus-man proved 20 be no
rheumatic. but a very powerful man
OF about my own age. II may have
been my brother. gentlemen: ! do
not know. I have not seen him for
n long time. do not wish TO &C
cuse my own flesh and blood. but
was struck at the time with his ex.
traordinary resemblance to myself
regret TO say" he added. hesitat-
| ingly, that he has led very wild
life.
"But 20 20 on with my story. This
fellow at once possessed himself OF
my keys and disappeared from the
stateroom for perhaps ten minutes.
| When he returned. he carried an en-
velope sealed with a large green
seal. which at once recognized as
/ the one which had been placed in
my care by an American by the
name of Morris.
"Haussman and his companion
busted themselves for some time
with this package. but T could not
see what they were doing with II.
After a while they drew a steamer.
trunk from under the berth and
took from IL two packages done up
In brown paper, What they were !
did not then know.
AFTER n long time the younger
man drew hypodermic needle
from his pocket and injected drug
OF some sort into my arm.
Under its influence | fell Into
| rradnallN incrnaalnr aIunnr Than