Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-30
CHAPTER II.
I Meet the Mystery.


quarters below over their coffee and
cigars-the yacht once again got under
way, and steamed slowly eastward down
the Sound. 1t was already dusk when
we returned to the deck and resumed
card playing beneath the awning, cleo
trio lights sparkling overhead. L never
recall a softer, sweeter air. The men
behind NE were again discussing the
war news, but their voices scarcely
reached my ears. Once | 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 Danish en-
tirely from mind the recollection OF
that woman whom / had seen in this
very spot the night before. | had &C.
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 I could not cOnjecture--but
that she actually existed and was hid
den somewhere aboard, I had not the
slightest doubt, and I must solve the
mystery alone.
But how could I prove the vision
true? how establish, at least 10 my
own satisfaction, her identity, and pur-
pose? l thought it all over again and
again. If Darlington was unaware Of
her presence-and Of this I 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 a vacant cabin, and who could
supply her with food. Only an Off
Ger could hope to do this without
arousng suspicion. Except for the en-
gineer, Gault, whom 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-dog, a
former naval officer, unapproachable,
and an extremely strict disciplinarian;
while Hatch was a tall, lank, slow
spoken individual, never guilty of the
slightest civility to anyone. Neither
of these would ever aid and abet a
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 en-
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
had outlined my plan. I was in no
less during the afternoon; would re-
main alone on deck, and see what hap
pened. We were steaming right gall
Iantly now and stars were finding riffs
in the clouds through which to silver
the waves Of the Sound. The first Off
GER was still on the bridge, but Seeley
would relieve him at twelve; there
was nothing for me to do but wait until
then.
/ could better my position, however,
md Immediately did SO. If the second
officer really proved to be the accom-
plice of the girl, he would very prob
ably take d rather careful survey of
the deck aft before permitting her to
venture forth from cOncealment. If
his search disclosed my presence, the
young woman would doubtless be or
dered to remain below. My choice of
position was easily determined. The
flag locker was unusually commOdious,
us one of Carrington's hobbies was to
dress the ship handsomely on every
gala occasion, and display the colOrS
of all nations 1t was built directly
against the after rail, and back into
Its protective shadow I silently drew
steamer chair, concealed myself be-
meath the folds of rug, and lay there
quietly.
Time dragged, but finally the bell
forward announced the hour for the
change of watch. l was sailor enough
to comprehend the meaning of every
sound. / heard someone walk hastily
across the main deck, and descend
through the companion-a seaman dis
patched to call the second mate. The
two came back together. Five min
utes later, with no warning sound Of
approach, / became aware that some
one had quietly rounded the end of the
cabin. The mate passed me by within
q few feet, so close, indeed, / could
distinguish the buttons on his uniform,
and the white cap he wore. Nothing,
however, could have occurred to arouse
his suspicious, for the man did not
even pause in his slow walk, but disap-
peared along the port rail. Fearing
he might return, l remained motion