The Washington times., 1917-10-03
The Fatal Ring
SERIAL AND ADVENTURE
Carslake Gets Passage Aboard the
NabOb, Bound for Arabia, and
Interviews the Captain

The Arab signined his assent. and
vanished.
In the steamship office carslake
was making inquiries about trans
portation and the clerk was assur-
ing him:
Very well, then. Give me one
first class passage on the Nabob,"
said Carslake.
The long ticket was made out,
punched, and handed over. Cars
lake paid for II and turned toward
the door. As he did so he caught
sight OF the Arab spy.
Without a change OF expression
or a sign that he knew he was be-
ing Swallowed, he went on his way
but the moment he. had turned
the corner he set of hurriedly for
the oil tank steamer.
CARSLAkE GETS ABOARD.
He arrived just as the crew was
about to draw in the gangplsnk
pr:nr 20 castrIE on In fact, they
had already begun to lift the plank
when Carslake Numbered across 1t.
where's the captain?" asked
Carslake, hurriedly.
Advancing toward him. Carslsl.e
said briefly:
81 have a ticket bought for the
steamship Nabob, but for reasons
Of my own would rather sail on
this ship. Can you accommodate
me? / will make it worth your
while?'
WELL" said the captain slowly.
"this amt no passenger boat, mis-.
g. 81
stand IT, 1 guess we can"
Good" cried Carslake, nodding
with satisfaction.
The captain gave him a sharp
look and turned away. Carslake
moved toward the rail.
PEARL JUMPS IN.
The gang-plank had been hauled
in. The cables had been wound up.
Anchor had been lifted, and the
oiler was slowly moving out from
her dock, when PEARLS car came
rushing down the pier
Emerging. Pearl and Tom and the
Spider" caught sight OF Carslake
on the deck-and Pearl for one.
was not to be so carelessly eluded.
She ran swiftly to the edge of the
wharf and jumped. Snatching hold
of a loose rope end, she swiftly
began pulling herself UP. Tom fol
lowed suit. but missed the rope end
for which he aimed, and fell into
the water.
And from there. helplessly. he
watched the boat move of carrying
Carslake and Pearl with II.
Pearl came up over the rail, ham
over hand. as Carslake and the
Captain were just striking a bar
gain regarding the price Of Cars
lakes passage. Both men stared
in establishment. But Pearl. too
far of to see them. addressed the
first mate.
81 want to speak to the captain.
Where is herr"
Can do something for you,
Miss" asked the captain himself,
advancing at that moment.
Pearl turned to him.
Yes" she replied candidly. 81
have reason to believe that a man
who has stolen a diamond from me
is on board this ship. Have you
taken any pa.Sengers?"
YES" admitted the captain. ex-
changing a look with the mate.
Pearl sighed with satisfaction.
"a dark, heavyset man."
Yes"
well. he is a thief-a fugitive
from Justice and if youll stop and
put him on Shore for me, I'll make il
worth your .while,'
How much will you give. miss"
asked the captain promptly.
"A thousand dollars" answered
Pearl
The captain whistled and looked
at his mate again.
Just wait here a minute, miss"
he said.
He turned and made after Cars
lake, grimlT. But that worthy had
overheard part of the conversation
and was ready for him.
We'll. bo." said the captain.
THAT gal says you're a thief and
worth thousand to US II we put
you on shore. She says you lifted
a diamond OF hers"
ITO be Continued Tomorrow