Evening star., 1923-11-30
CONTINUED from Yesterdays Starr

YE halted before the mirror and
- removed the more fragrant
traces of his disheveled ap-
pearance; then he took off his
coat. flung it on a chair. pushed the
electric button and returned to his
bunk.
He was sitting up on the edge of
the bunk and yawning as the steward
answered his summons.
Hello. steward" said Crang some
what thickly. Il guess I've oversight
myself. Overdid the send-of little.
I'm afraid. What are we stopping
for?"
"A little engine trouble. sir, the
steward answered. 1T was right
after we started. We're only A little
way down the bay. But it's all right.
sir. Nothing serious. Well be off
again shortly"
"Humph" Crang dismissed the sub
ject with a grunt. IL suppose I've
missed my dinner. eh?
IT'S only just little after now.
sir"
That's better" smiled Crang.
We'll. get my traps right up here,
like good fellow. and Iil d. clean UP
The steward looked little blank
Your traps, sir?
"Lugga ge-trs ps-baggage." defined
Crang with facetious terseness. >,
"Oh, knew what you meant, SIR,
traps are. sir. IL thought it bit
strange you didn't have anything
with you when YOU came aboard this
afternoon
"Did you. now?" inquired Crang
sweetly. We'll. then. the sooner you
get them here the less strange 1t VIII
seem. Beat it.''
But where are they. sir?" per-
sisted the man.
where are they? Good God, how
do | know" CALCULATED Crang sar-
castically. :! sent them down to the
aboard-in your baggage room.
You've got a baggage room aboard.
haven't you?"
Yes. sir: but
81 would suggest the baggage
room, then" interrupted Crang crisp
ly. and If they are not there. ask
the captain to let you have any of the
crew who aren't too busy on this engine
trouble and get them to help you search
the shipi''
The steward grinned
Very good sir. Would YOU mind de-
scribing the pieces:"
There are four said Crang with
exaggerated patience, as he created the
non existent baggage out OF his imag-
ination. And they have all got your
wanted on the voyage labels. with my
name and cabin written on them-Mr.
John Bruce, Cabin H-l4. There is a
steamer trunk and two brown alligator
leather-which | do not guarantee to
be genuine in spite of the price-suit
cases and hat box"
Very good. SIR said the steward
again-and hurried from the cabin.
Crang got up and went to the win
dow. The tug alongside seemed to fur
nish him with engrossing reflections.
for he stood there. smiling queerly, un-
til he swung around in answer to a
knock upon his door,
A man in ships uniform entered
ahead of the steward
"The steward here, sir" said the
man. was speaking about your bag
gage"
Crang helplessly. II told him to get
"Yes, sir" said the man, but | am
sorry to say that no such baggage as
YOU describe has come aboard the ship.
Mr.. Bruce. sir
Not aboard" gasped Crans. Then
then where is it?''
II can't say. sir, of course said
the other fsympathetieally "a am only
"But-but l sent it down to the dock
early this morning" Crang's voice
was rising in we'll affected excitement.
at must be here. l tell you, it must
be here."
The man shook his head.
Bruce: but know positively your bag
gage is not aboard this ship"
Then what's to be done?" Crang' s
voice rose louder. you've left it on
the dock, that's what--fools. laundering
idiots.'