The Monmouth inquirer., 1918-03-21

time has been spent on the docks ana
in the engine rooms and forcastles of
boats. I probably know more about
the mechanism of ship than most
seamen."
Thurston drew his gray brows into
q frown of concentration.
''Why don't you become an efficiency
expert?" he said finally. "Show us old
boys how to run a steamship line eco
nomically. Every other business has
the pests-why not ours?"
do you need one?" asked quickly.
''Not on your life! Not mel"
81 laughed. 81 suppose there are
others in the business with the same
idea of the necessity" / suggested.
"My knowledge of ship-owners tells
me that what little they don't know
about running their business is locked
up in heaven"
"Most of them haven't sense"
agreed Thurston. Most of them need
some darn fool to tell 'em how to run
their boats, but they wouldn't admit
it. You'd better try for job as pur-
ser-that's mostly bookkeeping, any
how"
mot big enough nor pay enough" 1
replied. "But you've given me an
idea, Thurston; I'll try out the econ
omy expert suggestion, and I'm much
obliged for it. Good afternoon" And
arose to go. Thurston was too busy
a man to waste minutes.
wait" he commanded, and rang
for a stenographer. "Pll give you
note as my share in your maritime ad-
venture" He dictated to the young
lady who appeared at the signal; TO
any captain, Thurston Coast Line S. 5.
Grant Mr.. John Gilmore all courte-
sizes at any time and the freedom OF
your boat. He is an efficiency expert"
Then he chuckled. "Cut out that last
phrase" he told the stenographer.
SIN afraid you wouldn't receive much
courtesy with that introduction" he
said to me. That's ALL" to the typist.
"and give 1t to me to sign.
It'll take you to any of our ports,"
he went on, turning to me once more,
ION any of our boats. any time you
please. Don't thank me; some day I'll
point with pride to having started you
on career. Good afternoon"
He handed me the paper, and left
him there, an idea in my head that his
letter had made a possibility. I would
voyage on one of the Thurston Line
steamers and see for myself whether
Thurston's idea was a practically;
regardless of his confidence in his
management. he was doubtless no
more economical than the rivals he
condemned.
/ bought newspaper to find on the
shipping page the sailings Of his fleet,
and its front page flare of red-typed
headlines gained first attention. The
story of the early morning hours was
told in full, but there was no addition
al information save conjectures. The
body had not been identified, and
there was nothing resembling a defi-
mite clue to Identification.
The shoes bore the imprint of
Paris manufacturer, the gloves were
Americana well known make. There
were no markings on linen, no engrav-
ings on the jewelry, which was limit
ed to modest ruby ring and gold
necklace chain with small Swiss
watch, all in excellent taste and ex-
pensive, but not individual in any
way.
Nobody had been found at the st.
Dunstan who had heard a shot in the
night or would admit any knowledge
of the affair. Neither had there been
the customary volunteers of informa-
ton of mysterious cabs or taxis, fur
tive strangers or night providers. It
seemed a case particularly devoid Of
starting-places for investigation.
When l read the story l turned to
the shipping page and clipped out the
sailing schedule of the Thurston Line.
They made ports all the way down
the coast from Mazatlin to Valparai-
SO. / should study the map Of South
America before deciding upon my first
voyage, get down my encyclopedia and
learn little of the cities and coun-
tries to which I now might go. 1t
would be pleasant work for that eve
ming.
At the st. Dunstan, waiting for me,
I found Edwards and Holme Of the
Sentinel. The latter was one of the
young men who, l was willing to ad-
nit, had beaten me in the race for
news. He had come to us from Stan
ford University and was born news
paperman, and they are not born ev-
cry minute. am not going into es-
sentials of a reporter, for this is de-
cidedly not a newspaper story; but
Holme had them all.
Edwards began on me with a plea to
resume work on that paper; at least
to stay by until the murder was ex-
planned or had passed from the front
page-a request which 1 promptly
negatiVed, excusing my perversity on
the plea Of intended travel in the i'm
mediate future. Then my city editor
asked me to help Holme.
"Gilly," he said, you have happen
ed on that impossible situation for a