Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1919-09-18

CHAPTER 600.
Accidents Murder7
MaeKnights caustic estimate Of
the steamers size had not been very
wide Of the mark. The M0nleigh was
certainly very small. and certainly
q frowsy. unkempt and weatherbeatep
little craft: and her general appear
ance bespoke her rs one Of those
homeless. vagrant waits Of the ocean
that knew no schedule-that took the
crumbs OF the worlds commerce
where she could find them-and was
grateful for the crumbs.
waIien had been afraid that morn
ing that he was In for q relapse, but
be had no fever nowhere was none
Of that disquieting giddiress In his
head, and--he smiled happily to him.
self-a few days ut sea would put
him back again In his old form.
He sat up In his bunk as the ships
bell sounded from forward. Two bells
five o'clock In the afternoon. He
got up. went over to the wash basin
and plunged In his head.
How had Helen MacKay-she had
told him her name on the way down
to Pobi-come to be not only on a
tramp like the Monleigh but to be
here at all? He hadn't seen any
other women on board; but then-he
was splutterings dellciously In the wa
ter-he hadn't seen much Of any
thing.
Helen MacKay had side-tracked
even that thin-faced, queer-eyed skip
per and insisted that he should 60 i'm.
mediately to bed.
Wallen's thoughts began to run riot
as he completed his toilet. The ship
and everyone connected with IL whom
he had seen-except Helen MacKey-
had somehow got him wrong. He
hadn't liked that fellow Motifs face
from the instant he had set eyes on
1t In the forest. And his momentary
interview with the skipper. despite
the same ELUSIVE attentions. had pro.
duced the same intultive dlstrast. u
They were sim at anchor of the
three traders storehouses and veran.
daed bungalows that were digniied
by the name Of Pobi. What, after all
did II mean?
What was the Monleigh doing at
PObif-there was no sign Of any
cargo being handled. And. above all.
how had they heard Of him and the
UpolO-and what was their interest
In him that would account for the sec
0nd officer being sent to cross the
island to MacKnight's to question o
supposed survivor Of the bark about
him3
"Drink-House Sam Of Singapore i"-
the words unbidden came flashing
through his brain.
WaIlen whistied In a low. perturbed
way under his breath. Could there
be any connecticut II seemed alb
surdly impossiblei And yet what had
happened was obviously not mere
coincidence.
Its q BIT queer when you come 10
think Of it, he muttered slowly. 81
guess IN hear what the shippers got
to say"
He opened the door Of his cabin and
stepped out into what was evidently
the vessels main saloon, down whose
length ran long mess table with i've
revolving chairs on either side.
There was no one IN sight. Wallen
crossed the saloon TO the doorway
and paused to get his bearings. d.
rectly In front OF him short com
paniOnway led upward. He mounted
this and found himself In a small box.
like smoking or lounging room. Here
doors on either side gave onto a boat
deck that was fairly spacious for the
size Of the ship.
He stepped out onto the deck-and
again paused to survey his sur
roundings. Forward from the smok
Ing room was a small house. very
evidently Of temporary construction
his eyes rested on 1t speculatiyely for
an instant then he glanced quickly
aloft. WIrelessi Ell
He hadn't noticed that In comiEe1
aboard. .sst.
IL was q little strange. Ships Hike
the Monleigh weren't In the habit Of
fndulging ia expensive Injuries Of
that description! His brows gathered
for q moment; and then. with q shrus
Of his shoulders. he; walked forward
to the captains eahin under the
bridge and Knocked .sg ~ s4-..-
Come inr' bakiea . voice grufay.
WaIien entered TO face NE little
man with the thin face and queer
eyes-he promptly modified .'queer,
by -evasive" n0w-that he recognized
as the captain
'Heifof" exclaimed the captain I'm
suddenly altered tones. aIf Il ain't
Mr.. Wailen! And on your pins nj.
readyiss Wen. III be --l But sit
dewni, Sit DOWN." He waved wallen
10 seat on the locker and pushed
forward the bottie and glass that were
on the table. "Sit down, Mr.. Wallen.
and help yourselfI"
wallen shook his head as he seated
himself.
Thanks Just the same" he said:
but I'm sim sticking to qulnine."
"ouinine. chr repeated the other.
Yes, OF counsel Yes-right you arel
Weir-he poured n glass for him
seif--here's 60 you. and just as hearty
" L drink alone. And IN add. MFR.
Mallen. that LIS to the rummest