Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1917-05-10

"Why DO you lay stress on that
point, Captain Bonnotf IL It not more
reasonable to suppose that tho purser
left the room and locked the door
after himi"
"It would be, indeed replied tho
captain, except for the fact that the
key OF the room was found lying on
the purser's desk"
Lefevere glanced up. surprised.
THAT ts certainly strange" he ex-
claimed. "Of course, he might have
had a duplicate"
"Of course. But there are other
features equally strange"
THE safe had been robbed, I sup
poser"
"Yes-in a way"
"In a way? What do you meant"
81 will tell you. Naturally, when 1
did not find M. Vernon in his room /
had thorough search made. Without
communicating with the passengers in
tain whether or not he was still on
board. 1 had every soul on board the
vessel accounted for. The purser is
missing"
you naturally concluded. then,
that he had committed suicide by
throwing himself into the sea-"
"There seemed no other conclusion,
unless, indeed, he had been murdered,
and thrown overheard by others. at
once had the safe opened and its con-
tents checked up with the pursers
books. Everything was in order with
the exception Of single package, de-
posted by one of the passengers. That
package is missing"
What did it contain?"
II do not know. 1t was sealed, Of
course. when delivered to the purser
The books show that it was placed in
den Morris by name, an American, re-
siding in New York"
And you have not yet advised Mr..
Morris of its disappearance"
"No. have kept the entire matter
a secret from the passengers, hoping
in some way NJ. Vernon might be
found on board"
The prefect considered the matter
for several minutes in silence. ut is,
as you say, astonishing" he said at
length. "If M. Vernon stole the pack
age from the safe himself, he must
still be on board. II 1t was stolen by
others, he has in all probability been
murdered and thrown overheard. 1t
seems to me that the best course
would be to question Mr.. Morris at
once. No doubt the contents Of the
package will throw some light on the
affair What do you know of this
American? Is he rich?"
"Yes- a man Of Great wealth-a
financier. / should not be surprised
to learn that the package contained
diamonds or other jewels Of enor-
nous value"
Him! Very likely. Let us hope,
then, that NJ. Vernon is the culprit."
"Why?"
because in that event he is still on
board, cleverly concealed in some
way. If not, he is no doubt at the
bottom of the Atlantic"
He rose and went toward the door.
LET us go to the purser's office at
once. and If you will send for Mr..
Morris we will ask him few ques-
tions."
Mr.. Ogden Morris proved to be
short. rather stout man, with bristling
gray mustache and brick-red COM
plexion. He seemed somewhat sur
prised when, in response to message
from Captain Bonnot, he appeared at
the purser's office.
what can do for you, captain?"
he inquired. glancing from the latter
to NJ. Lefevre.
81 am obliged, Mr.. Morris. to ask
you few questions. You are not,
believe, acquainted with M. Lefevre,
project of police, of Paris"
"No-not personally that Is. i know
NJ. Lefevre by name very well. How
do you do sir" He shook hands with
the prefect cordially. then glanced
about the room with a smile. IF j
did not have clear conscience. gen.
tlemen, this meeting would cause me
considerable concern"
Take n seat, Mr.. Norris" said the
captain. There has been a strange
accident on board. and we want your
help in arriving at a solution OF the
matter"
Mr. Morris sat down what Is the
nature of the accident. captain. and
In what way does 1t concern me?"
"The purser. Mr.. Vernon. has dis
appeared. The contents OF his safe
are untouched. with n single excep-
ton. A small package, a sealed en-
velope, the records say. which you
placed In his care. has vanished with
HIM"
lis 1t possible!" the American ex-
claimed. "That and nothing else?"
1T will be made good by the line.
Mr.. Norris" said Captain Bonnet,
nlistaking the cause Of his surprise.
~ am afraid that will be impossi-
BILE"