The Pulaskian., 1917-10-26

guess their purpose. Very well, there was no better time than now to start my task. Yet I had scarcely taken S step forward when l became aware that their secret conference was over, and that the two were separating. I could not positively determine the movement in the intense darkness, but felt assured that one of the two men had moved forward, crouching along the rail. leaving the second man stand ing alone. Unquestionably the one thus left would be McCann.
 I waited motionless until the fellow stealing away was we'll beyond earshot, and then advanced straight across the pitching deck. The fellow, taken quite by surprise. stared at my indstinet fig ure, unable to determine my identity until I spoke. There was that about his figure, black as the night was, which convinced me he was the man sought.
 Well, McGann," said shortly, you seem to prefer associating with the crew, rather than with your own class aft. What is the gamer"
 ''I was not aware there were any of my own class on board" he answered sneeringly.
 Perhaps you have not yet discov- cred who are on board. Do you chance to know who owns this vessel and cargo?"
 "Who owns themp' he laughed coarsely. "What difference does that maker"
 Tt depends entirely on whether or not you have any decent manhood left in you" said coldly, "and, frankly, do not believe you have. However. the truth can do no harm, and we'll understand each other better. This ship and cargo are owned by Philip Bascom of Philadelphia"
 "Bascomi By Godl You don't mean it?"
 But do; and more than that, all his fortune is invested in this one enterprise that Is why consented to assume command, and sail the Indian Chief across to Germany"
 There was a moments silence.
 "Bascom," he repeated at last. You learned this from the ships papers7"
 "I learned 1t from his own lips--the man himself is on board"
 He breathed heavily from surprise then laughed.
 Lord. this is some news, Hollis,' he managed to ejaculate, but surely you hardly expect me to be sympathetic, do you?"
 "No, I hardly expect it." unable to disguise my intense disgust at his tone. However, Philip Baseom is here. ru- ined by your persecution, crippled for life by the cowardly bullet--"
 "Now, look here, Hollls,' he broke in, If you think am going to stand for your bullying any longer, you're mistaken. It's my turn to talk"
 "Yoursl What will you talk with money?"
 Perhaps" he sneered, "and with men also. In the first place, l might as well tell you, don't give d. who owns this ship. Of course you gave me jolt by saying that this man Bascom was on board, but, after all, that's nothing to me. We had our | fight, and he learned the same lesson others have that Fergus McCann is perfectly able to take care of himself. Now I'm ready to teach the same thing to Mir. Robert Hollis of Chicago. This is no small boat in mid-Atlantic, where you can bully me because of your phys ical strength. You made a mistake, Hollis, playing me for fool. I've got your number already" You are quite sure of that?" "You bet I am, but I'm not going to say any more about it tonight. To- morrow I'll talk with you again" He turned away, the shrug of his shoulders picturing contempt, and a studied insolence which set my blood boiling. With the grip of one hand | flung him back against the rail, and held him there.
 ''No, we'll discuss 1t right now" said sternly, "but I'll do the talking in your place. You haven't anything to tell me. I know what your plans are already. I know what you are attempt ing to accomplish, and I know your purpose. You have found a few ruff fans forward who will take your dirty gold. To gain control of the others, you have played up the war scare. You think now that the time has come when you can act-is that so?" He wriggled in an effort to break free of my grip, and let go of him in utter contempt.
 "You would find out" he snarled an- grily, If I called for help" "But you are not going to call for help, for if you even open your lips for that purpose, you are going to die right