The Huttig news., 1917-09-08
CHAPTER II.
l Meet tho Mystery.


 Before the evening meal had ended quarters below over their coffee and cigars-the yacht once again got under way, and steamed slowly eastward down the Sound. It was already dusk when we returned to the deck and resumed card playing beneath the awning, cleo tric lights sparkling overhead. l never recall a softer, sweeter air. The men behind me were again discussing the war news, but their voices scarcely reached my ears. Once I leaned for ward. observing the red and green lights of an approaching steamer, as our siren spoke, but was altogether too negligent to cross the deck and watch the stranger pass by.
 The fact was I could not banish en- tirely from mind the recollection of that woman whom I had seen in this very spot the night before. I had ac- | tually seen her-it was no vision, no dream. No doubt Darlington had faith | in what he said, and possessed no sus- picion whatever of her presence on the yacht. But she was here nevertheless why. how, for what purpose, by whose help could not conjecture-but that she actually existed and was hid den somewhere aboard, had not the slightest doubt, and I must solve the mystery alone.
 But how could I prove the vision trueY how establish, at least to my own satisfaction, her identity, and pur- | poser l thought 1t all over again and l again. If Darlington was unaware of her presence-and of this really no longer felt any doubt-then she must have slipped aboard unseen, or, per chance, aided and abetted by one of the crew. Somewhere below, where discov- cry was not probable except through accident, she was kept in hiding. Yet to accomplish this she would need as- sistance. She must have had aid in getting aboard unseen; someone who knew of vacant cabin, and who could supply her with food. Only an off, cer could hope to do this without arousing suspicion. Except for the en. gineer, Gault, whom I had not seen, but who was hardly in situation to render such service, there were three who might be accomplices-the cap- tain, Turner, and the first and second officers-Hatch and Seeley. dismissed all thought of the first two almost in- stantly. Turner was an old sea-d0g a | former naval officer, unapproachable, and an extremely strict disciplinarian while Hatch was tall, lank. slow spoken individual, never guilty of the slightest civllity to anyone. Neither of these would ever aid and abet woman under any conceivable circum- stances.
 Of the second officer, Seeley. I re- membered Darlington had mentioned the fact that he had been in his em- ploy for over ten years. He was the one most likely to listen to the plea of a woman, and to be deceived by her; and besides, as I suddenly recalled, it was during his watch on the bridge that the girl had ventured on deck seeking the fresh night air.
 Before the party finally broke up I had outlined my plan. 1 was in no haste to retire, having slept more or less during the afternoon; I would re- main alone on deck. and see what hap pened. We were steaming right gal lantly now. and stars were finding rifts In the clouds through which to silver the waves of the Sound. The first ofii- cer was still on the bridge, but Seeley would relieve him at twelve; there was nothing for me to do but wait until then.
 1 lCnnfinued NCxf Wenk.l