The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-03-17
(Contlnued)

l could now perceive now clearly the character I was destined to assume when once safely aboard the Namur. Such an assumption would involve but slight danger of discovery. It was as though a miracle had opened the way, revealed to me by the unconscious lips of these two half-druuken. gossiping sailors. The story told fitted my ne- Cessities exactly. Had I planned the circumstances myself nothing could have been better prearranged. No one on board had seen the missing man by daylight; he was believed to have sunk without q struggle Yet no one knew positively that this was so, be- cause no one cared. The death of the lad had simply been taken for granted when LeVere had failed to see his body rise again to the surface. Yet 1t was quite within the realm of possi- bility for the fellow to come up once more in that darkness, beyond Le- Vere's range of vision, and even to have remained afioat, buoyed up by clinging to the anchor hawser, until strong enough to return on board. At least there was no one aboard the Ma mur able to deny that this had been done.
 Satisfied by this reasoning of being able to pass myself of as the dead man, began slowly and cautiously to drag myself up the taut hawser. l had chosen a fortunate moment for my effort; no one needed the little noise I made, and, when I finally topped the rail and was able to look inboard it was to discover a deserted fore deck, with the watch all engaged at some task amidships. Crept down the fore castle ladder and worked my way aft beneath the black shadow of the port rail, until able thus to drift unnotiCed into a group tailing onto a mainsail halyard. The fellow next to me, with out releasing his grip, turned his head and stared, but without discerning my features.
 'Whar did yer cum frum?" he growied, and I as instantly recognized Bill Haines. 'Been sojerin', have yer2 Well, now. lay to an pull"
 Before I could attempt an answer a tail figure lOomed up before us, the sam0 high.pitched voice I had noticed previously calling out sharply:
 "There, that's enough, menl Now make fast We can head the old girl out from here in jiffy, if it really be- gins to blow. Jose, you stand by at the wheel, in case you're needed; some of the rest skip the capstun bars, and remain near for a cau'
 "What are ye swingin' the yards fur, anyhow. LeVere?' asked Haines insolently. Just fer exercise?'
 Because I am a sailor, Haines," he replied angrily. Anyhow it is none of your business; was left in com mand here. Those clouds don't look good to me; there is going to be a blow before morning"
 Haines growled something and Le We're wheeled sharply about to go for ward. This movement placed hin face to face with me.
 ''What gre you loafng here fer Who arg you?"
 Zoe Gates, sir,' I answered quickly mouthing the first name which came to my lips.
 "Gates-Joe Gates?" peering sav agely into my face but unable to dis tinguish the features. q never heard of anybody on board by that name Who is the fellow, Haines?"
 The Englishman gripped me by the sleeve to whirI me about, but as hi. fingers touched the soaked cloth of m! jacket he burst forth with an oath.
 Hes wet enough to be the same laC you chucked overheard an hour ago I believe he is. Say, mate, are yol the gay buck we hauled aboard drunk ,and dumped into the fOr'cassel?"
 T dunno, sir" I answered dumbly believing 1t best not to remember to much. q couldn't even tell yer whu