The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-08-01

against me.
| Pat bestowed one Of her bewitchini
smiles upon Kelly. ~ she replied
perhaps, In America, you can maxi
up your mind definitely" Then ah'
hurried on to dinner, leaving th.
| Sphinx more in doubt than ever.
| In the days that were consumed II
the ocean voyage Pat found opportu
nifty to interest herself in a case that
particularly appealed to her warm
hearted and charitable disposition. The
discovery was made quite by accident
Among the passengers she had no
ticed a young man and his wife who
seemed to be particularly objections
able, in their manner. to all Of theil
fellow passengers. The woman was
particularly diffident and self-satisfied
One morning Pat was walking alone
on deck, approaching the second class.
Her attention was attracted to a par
ticularly bright and winsome baby that
fOrlorn-looking little woman was
holding on her lap.
Pat very soon made the ucQuaint-
ance Of the mother and heard her pitt
able story. The woman had been de-
serted, after the man she loved had
betrayed her, and she was now follow
Ing him to America, using the last of
the fortune she once possessed to pro-
vide for her transportation.
HE is on board this ship, travelling
first class with the woman who is
wearing pearls and diamonds, pur-
chased with the money he induced me
to give him when believed in him."
said the woman. And as she watched
the passengers walking on the upper
deck she pointed out to Pat the man
and woman who were SO unpopular
with their fellow passengers.
'Phillips, John Phillips; that's the
man." said the poor soul as her eyes
flashed hatred. And then she told Pat
her story, In full detail. When she
had finished Pat pressed roll Of bills
into the woman's hand and said:
'This is a part payment on what
that man owes you. I'll collect the
rest, and pay you after we get to
America"
1t was decided between Pat and the
woman that the baby and Its mother
should be sure to remain out of sight,
that Phillips might not know he was
being watched and followed.
On the night the steamship passed
Nantucket lightship. with good assur-
ance of landing In New York the next
morning, Pat made her move.
The deck was deserted when Pat
stealthily approached the door of the
Phillips staterOom. The night was hot
and the door was fastened only with
hook. to keep 1t partly open. Pat
quietly unlocked the door and entered
the room. She soon emerged. and AZ
stealthily as she had entered, proceed
ed to her own room.
She had dressed in her Apache cos
tune. to give freedom of movement.
And when shs threw OF her cape. in
her own room, she 6shed out Of its
capacious pocket string Of immense
~ valuable pearls.
At daylight many Of the passengers
were awake and moving to watch the
pilot come aboard. There suddenly
arose upon the quiet air the shri1
screams Of Mrs.. Phillips, shouting that
she had been robbed Of her pearls.
Omcers Of the steamship quieted the
woman ms soon rs they could rush to
her assistance.
1--WE are not responsible for your
loss, Mrs. Phillips" said the captain
Of the boat. "But we will do all we
can to help you find them"
Turning to one Of his officers, the
captain said:
1--WE have Sphinx Kelly. the famous
detective on board, and 1t should be
matter for him to look into at once.
Have him come to my cabin and will
arrange matters with him."
The Sphinx was among the first pas
sengers to gain the upper deck. as the
officers Ind prevented others from hur-
rying to the scene when Mrs. Phillips
first created the uproar. But a word
of explanation from Kelly got him
quickly past the sentinel.
'The captain Is looking for you, sir. !"
said the mate. HE would like to see
you in the cabin" And Kelly straight
way accompanied the ships officer to
the captains cabin.
When matters were explained Kelly
agreed to tnke up the case. There
was still several hours in which he
might operate before the steamship
reached quarantine and still later be
docked.
I'll do what can, captain" said the
Sphinx when he finished his interview
with the master Of the ship. 'The
woman wns foolish to have so much
valuable jewelry about her when there
is safe place to deposit 1t with the
purser."
"That have already told her." said
the captain. "And we employ you
only because we want to do what we
can for a passenger In distress.
The Sphinx had no doubt as to who
had taken the pearls. But there was
no proof, merely upon his own sus-
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