Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1918-01-31

|
pered, and negatlved it fittingly.
Then we planned. I should 60 to
Captain Blake early in the morning
and tell him that there need be no
compulsion; should go back to San
Francisco on the Nanaimo willingly
and not In irons; and the arrest could
be quietly effected and no one need
know of 1t. Isabelle would 20 with
her mother to Durango and wait for
me to come to her. It was all simple.
and as told 1t, pleasant enough; only
a fortnight separation, then happiness
forever.
But / saw two obstacles in the way
OF Its pleasant realization; first, the
positive order to Blake to transship
me in irons; second, his blond-headed
obstinacy and-yes, vanity! He would
hate to pass up this opportunity for
dramatic prominence; he had shown
that by letting Isabelle know of the
order. Probably half the ship knew
Of 1t already!
left Isabelle, feeling quite happily
content with conditions, and went to
my cabin to null out another problem.
Why had Marcus changed his mind?
More incomprehensible, how had he
convinced the chief and Thurston of
this necessity? Certainly, not on the
evidence at hand when sailed from
San Francisco. They had nothing to
excuse a warrant for murder. Had
Holme talked Of the empty shell? No.
was sure he had not. The hat-pin
was in the tray Of my trunk where
had concealed 1t. opened the trunk
to make certain, felt for it, and it was
gone!
| / remembered the light, switched
! or In my bedroom, and the fear / had
held then of incrimination; it was ex-
| planned now. The hat-pin had been
taken from my trunk and placed else
where to be found. Marcus had gone
through my vacated rooms, perhaps
even my stored cases, and he had dis
covered what was meant for him.
That, with the coincidence of my find
ing each murdered body, would be
! enough to warrant the order of ar
! rest.
Well, 1t would mean another thing
] to clear away, that was all. Until
| they identified the bodies, they could
! not prove motive; and 1 knew what
! they did not, that the Identification of
those bodies would lead trail far
| from my rooms in the st. Dunstan, to
, Greek church wedding which did
not take place because of the mur-
| ders.
/ went to sleep finally, to be swak-
ened by hamAering on my door and
voice which shouted Fire." and
, heavy footsteps running, and / leap
! ed from my berth in the dark and
, found the lighting switch. Before
could more than get into trousers the
ship was confusion. l ran to the aft
companion and crowded my way to
its top, pushing by others regardless,
remembering only that Isabelle was
in danger. Her stateroom was off the
upper deck, and l found it lighted.
"Isabelle!" cried, and she answer
Cd at once.
81 was coming to you," she said.
"Wait one second"
slip on anything. Don't try to
, Dress" l shouted.
She opened the door and came into
my arms. at is the answer" she
said joyfully, reverently. Il prayed"
l went inside her room and found
It's life-belts, buckling one about her.
one on myself, then led her to the for
ward deck, for now flames were ris-
ing aft, showing black clouds of
smoke that palled the starlit sky, and
there were shouted orders to the
fighting crew, telling that the battle
| was raging there. Fortunately not
more than a score of passengers were
LETT ON the Wilton, and there were
mostly men, gathered together in
group at the bows.
Captain Blake came to the bridge.
knew from the direction of the
waves that he had already turned the
ships nose shoreward, running to
land. Now he shouted to us. "All
right" he reassured. Were close in,
and there's no danger. Keep COOL"
"Can we help any way, captain?"
came voice from the group.
"No. We're doing everything pos
sible. Don't worry, that's all, - and he
ran aft.
The fore-deck was almost as light
as day. Isabelle, her arm around me,
stopped us in the shadow. I'VE must
get away now" she whispered. I'VE
have been given this chance
kissed her softly. wen stay and
help as we can, Isabelle. Well not
worry about that Only" / chuckled,
Il hope the irons burn up"
A tiny girl, one of a family of three
children, the only little ones aboard,
came running toward us, having bro
ken away from her distracted mother,
and she was laughing. delighted with
the bright flames and excitement of
confusion. Isabelle ran for her, and
the little tyke, thinking 1t was race,
toddled across deck shrieking with
toy. Isabelle made quick capture.
l ,.s... 4. L.. -.