Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1922-11-04
Part Six
fart DIX
BY SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE

master of the Sea Unicorn, and l was
spare harpooner. We were coming
out of the ice-pacl on our way home,
with head winds and weeks southerly
gale, when we picked up little craft
that had been blown north. There was
one man on her--a landsman. The crew
had thought she would founder, and had
made for the Norwegian coast in the
dinghy. | guess they were all drowned.
Well we took him on board, this. man,
and he and the skipper had some long
talks in the cabin. All the baggage we
took off with him was one tin box. So far
as | know, the mans name was never
mentioned, and on the second night
he disappeared as if he had never been.
1t was given out that he had either
thrown himself over board or fallen
overheard in the heavy weather that we
were having. Only one man knew what
had happened to him, and that was me,
for,with my own eyes, saw the skipper
| tip up his heels and put him over the rail
in the middle watch of dark night, two
| days before we sighted the Shetland
Lights.
We'll, l kept my knowledge to my
self, and waited to see what would
come of it. When we got back to Scot
land it was easily hushed up, and nobody
asked any questions. a stranger died by
accident. and it was nobody's business
to inquire. Shortly after Peter Carey
gave up the sea, and it was long years.
before | could find where he was.
guessed that he had done the deed
for the sake of what was in that tin
] L. L.. ,.,,ll nr,,rI e.,
pay me we'll for keeping my mouth shut
II found out where he was through
sailor man that had met him in
London, and down | went to squeeze
him. The first night he was reasonable
enough, and was ready to give me what
would make me free of the sea for life
We were to fix it all two nights later.
When | came, found him three parts
drunk and in a vile temper. We sat
down and we drank and we yarncd
about old times, but the more he drank
the less | liked the look on his face
| spotted that harpoon upon the wall.
and | thought might need it before
was through. Then at last he broke
out at me, splitting and Curslng with
murder in his eyes and great clasp
knife in his hand. lie had not time to
get it from the sheath before ] had the
harpoon through him. Heavens, what a
veil he gavcl and his face gets between
me and my sleep. | stood there. with his
blood splashing round me- and | waited
for n bit, but all was quiet, SO | took
heart once more. ! looked round. and
there was the tin box on the shelf. ! had
as much right to il rs Peter Carey, any
how, so | took it with me and left the
hut. Like fool left my baCCy-pouCh
upon the table.
Now, Ill tell YOU the Quccrcst part
of the whole story. | had heartily got
outside the hut when heard someone
coming, and / hid among the bushes. 4
man came Sinking along, went into the
hut. gave a cry as II he had seen ghost
and legged it as hard rs ne could run
until he was out of sight Who he was
or what he wanted is more than / car
tell. For my part l walked ten miles
got train atsTunbridge Wells, and 81
reached London, and no one the wiser
Well when / came to examine tht
box | found there was no money in it, anC
nothing but papers that / would no
dare TO sell. had lost my hold on Blacl
Peter, and was stranded IN London with
out shilling. There was only my trad,
left. saw these advertisements abou
harpooners, and high wages, so l wen
to the shipping agents, and they sent M
here. That all know, and say again
that if | killed Black Peter the law shoult
give me thanks, for | saved them tn
price OF hempcn rope
A very clear statement sal
Holmes, rising and lighting his pipe
Il think, Hopkins, that you should los
no time in conveying your prisoner to
place of safety. This room Is not we
adapted for a cell, and Mr.. Patric
Cairns occupies too large a properties
2 OF our carpet
i "Mr. Holmes" said Hopkins. 81 d
j not know how 10 express my gratitude
t Even now ! do not understand how yo
a attained this result
Simply by having the good for
N