Connecticut western news., 1922-12-07
'"You're From No. 257" He Asked, to
 Draw Him Into Conversation.

'EYou're From No. 25" He Asked, to
 Draw Him Into Conversation. on the lakes. Alan moved over and took a seat beside the old man.
 You're from Number 25?' he asked, to draw him into conversation.
 "Yes."
 i've been working on the carrier Pontiac as lookout. She's on her way to tie up at Cleveland, so I left her and came on here. You don't know whether there's a chance for me to get a place through the winter on Number 25?"
 Old Burr reflected. "One of our boys has been talking of leaving. I don't know when he expects to go, You might ask"
 Thank you; I will. My names Conrad-Alan Conrad"
 He saw no recognition of the name in Burr's reception of it; but he had not expected that. None of those on Benjamin Corvet's list had had any knowledge of Alan Conrad or had heard the name before.
 Alan was silent, watching the old man; Burr, silent too, seemed listening to the conversation which came to them from the tables near by, where men were talking of cargoes, and of ships and of men who worked and sailed upon them.
 "How long have you been on the lakesr' Alan inquired.
 "All my life"
 Do you remember the Miwaka?"
 Old Burr turned abruptly and studied Alan with a slow scrutiny which seemed to look him through and through; yet while his eyes remained fixed on Alan suddenly they grew blank. He was not thinking now of Alan, but had turned his thoughts within himself.
 'I remember her-yes. She was lost in '95," he said. "In '95," he repeated.
 Did you know Benjamin Corvet?" Alan asked.
 Old Burr stared at him uncertainty, T know who he is, of course"
 "You never met him?"
 "No."
 J"Did you receive a communication from him some time this year-a re- quest to send some things to Miss Con- stance Sherrill at Harbor Point?'
 q never heard of Miss Constance Sherrill. To send what things2"
 Several things-among them a watch which had belonged to Captain Stafford of the Miwaka."
 10l6 gazing down at Alan. "A watch of Captain Stafford's?-no," he said agi- tatedly. "Nor'
 He moved away and left the place; and Alan sprang up and followed him.
 He was not, 1t seemed probable to Alan now, the James Burr of Corvet's list; at least Alan could not see how he could be that one. Among the names of the crew of the Miwaka Alan had found that of a Frank Burr, and his inquiries had informed him that this man was nephew of the James Burr who had lived near Port Corbay and had disappeared" with all his family. Old Burr had not lived at Port Corbay-at least, he claimed not to have lived there; he gave another ad- dress and assigned to himself quite diff ferent connections. For every member of the crew of the Miwaka there had been a corresponding, but different name upon Corvet's list-the name of a close relative. If old Burr was not related to the Burr on Corvets list, what connection could he have with the Miwaka, and why should Alan's questions have agitated him so? Alan would not lose sight of old Burr until he had learned the reason for that.
 He followed as the old man crossed the bridge. and turned to his left among the buildings on the river front Burr's figure, vague in the dusk, crossed the railroad yards and made it's way to where a huge black bulk, which Alan recognized as the ferry, lOomed at the waterside. He disap- peaEed aboard. it. Alan, following him, gazed about.
 A long, broad, black boat the ferry was, almost four hundred feet to the tall, bluff bow.
 Alan thrilled a little at his inspec- tton of the vessel. He had not seen close at hand before one of these great craft which, throughout the winter, brave ice and storm after all-or near ly all-other lake boats are tied up. He had not meant to apply there when he questioned old Burr about a berth on the ferry; he had used that merely as a means of getting into conversa- tion with the old man. But now he