The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-06-07
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER III.
THE MYSTERY CRAFT.

had been developing the roll of
films.
what do you see there?" he
asked Dick, holding up the strip.
Dick turned toward the light and
looked carefully. "a boat. Looks
like one of those scout cruisers
built for the government during the
war"
It's autographs, you see. The
name, The Bacchante' is written
under it, and the date"
"Oh, yes. But by whom? Whose
writing is that?"
SNever mind that now. What is
that shore line? Do you recognize
it? Take my glass"
Dick studied it intently and
infinitely for some minutes. Il
think it looks like Greenport
Harbor."
That was what I thought. I
wanted your opinion. Now look at
the next one"
"Why-that's Brock - at the
WHEEL"
Here's another of a party
Glenn, Ruth, Vira-"
And that other girl is Rae Larue.
That fellow in back is Jack Curtis"
Garrick slowed the girls hat and
the films away in a chest.
well, what's next?" asked Dick.
Il suppose they'll all be at the club
tonight at that Subscription
Dance"
Garrick nodded silence He was
calling Greenport where he had a
friend, boat builder.
Seems that she's a mystery ship
on mystery cruises" he frowned
as he turned to Dick from the tele-
phone. They know her out there,
all right. But no one out there
seems to know who owns her. Sac
slips out on these mysterious
cruises, then back just as unexpect-
edly-then away again. From the
description I'd say that Brock often
handles her as captain. There's
nearly always some of that crowd
of young folks on her, too; some
times a party. My friend SAYS he
will telephone if the 'Bacchante'
comes in. She went out yester-
day"
1t was after dinner and little
absent-binded knocking about of
the billiard balls alone, that Garrick
was recalled to the matter in hand
by the penetrating tuning up of the
orchestra in the ball room.
He sauntered out on the wide club
porch that faced the harbor and
looked out straight ahead through
the wide opening of the two head
lands into the Sound. 1t was a
beautiful starry night, with no
moon. Far out in the Sound could
be seen one of the big New England
steamers, majestic mass of lights.
Here and there, knots of young peo-
pie had begun to gather.
He was endeavoring to select A
quiet corner where he could watch
when three girls, arm in arm, in
light shimmery summer frocns
sauntered across the lawn and up
the steps.
oh, Guy" He turned. 1t was
Ruth, nearest, with Vira on the
other end and piquant little. bob
bed-haired, snappy-eyed, 1.-THE, ami
mated girl between them. We've
been talking about you-and Rae
wants so much to meet you" Ruth
presented Garrick to Rae Larue
Garick was an adept with polite
persifiage. He needed to be. TO
cover up the eagerness with which
he studied this Interesting young
person.
I've heard so much about Won.
Mr.. Garrick,' she explained
keenly, with a come-on smile and n
hesitation after the M that hint
ed at the irksomeness of Formally.
You live at the Club, don't YOU?
I'm staying with Beth Page Won
must know the pages? I'd seen YOU
around when we've been over here
and / thought l knew You were
you,"
Rae had that sometimes fatal gift
of t1attery, way of leading a man
ON to talk about himself and of an
pearing to be exclusively interested
in his tastes and pastimes. GUY STU
died her as she devoted her.entire
attention to him to the exclusion of
her companions. Was she attrac-
tive because she was so young; or
was 1t because she had had so much
experience in being young? From
his life at the Club they were soon
far a-feld leaping lightly to the
visit OF the Sea Vamp," then ever
westward, like an explorer, to the
city, the shows, the hotels. The
night life. Was she questioning to
see just how far the gaiety of this
debonaire, sophisticated club-man
took him? For his purposes Garriek
conveyed the impression that the
only limits known to him were the
sky and the horizon. Somehow.
however, he had a feeling that this
girl was learning pretty much what
she wanted to know; though for the
life of him he hadn't quite figured
out yet what that was. y
Far down the porch Vira caught
sight of Glenn and had no intention
OF playing the lay figure longer.
Girls and fellows were passing and
with nudge at Ruth, Vira broke /,
up the party and the three con-
down toward the ball room. !
leaving Garrick to figure 1t all out |
especially Ruth, who, the moment /
they were gone. seemed to resume |
Dick had been sauntering alone
about the Club, speaking a lew