The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-08-21

Oaptain bunker noticed It, "Anvtbin.
you want to say, Mr.. Akin?" he nuos'
toned. 41e''
The secretary nodded. "Yes csn
tain,' he said. II take 1t you are still
disturbed by the burning of the flare
last night. have been thinking that
perhaps l may be able to help"
Come to my cabin, Mr.. Akin tho
captain interrupted. 1--WE can tall
better there"
A moment later, seated at the cabin
table, the captain nodded. Now. Mr.
Akin" he invited.
Akin had evidently mapped out
what he was to say, for he spoke at
onca Il learned for the first time last
nisht-or perhaps I should say this
morning" he began, that you suspect
Cd that someone was following us. I
now understand, at least partly, the
meaning Of some questions you asked
me yesterday. They were not very
er-clearT'
Mop Captain Bunker spoke a little
Sharply. "Mr. Archman told me that
you knew nothing of his plans as re-
CARDS this voyage, and that he pre-
rerred that l should not DISCUSS them
with you or with anyone. Conse-
Quently-"
"Mr. Archman was right, Of course
He left New York at almost mo-
ments notice on what seems to have
been strictly private business. He told
me nothing of 1t, and 1, of course. wish
to know nothing. For this reason l
have kept more than usually aloof
from those on board and have avoided
listening to the various surmises that
have been passed so freely. However,
l have not been able to make myself
wholly deaf; and / have gathered that
you believe that we have a spy on
board who is trying to signal our route
to some following vessel Am right2"
"You are"
II thought so. Well, captain, in that
case, / think l can throw some light
on the matter. Yesterday afternoon
happened to be looking out Of my port.
hole when I saw bottle tossed out of
the port just aft. l caught glimpse
of it-Just enough to let me see that
II had a small flag sticking from Its
neck. Then 1t few to pieces and dis
appeared. l thought this was very
peculiar and waited and watched until
had seen three similar bottles appear
and promptly undergo the same fate.
1 did not hear any report, but when
went on deck saw Lord George was
sitting at the stern shooting at things
with a rifle, and suppose he broke
them"
II know he broke them," remarked
Captain Bunker. what don't know
and want to find out is, who threw
them into the water"
"Oh! You knew of the bottlesr
AkIn's tones expressed surprise. Il
am sorry. l thought l might be able
to help you" The secretary rose.
But Captain Bunker checked him.
"Sit down. Mr. Akin" he commanded.
"You have helped me already. There
are only two staterooms aft OF yours.
II the bottles came from aft Of you,
they must have come from the state
room of Miss Denslow or from that OF
Mrs. Archman."
"Or from this cabin, Captain Bunk
er." The secretary's tones were Pc
culiar.
Bunker looked at him keeniy. This
cabin was kept locked all afternoon
he said, except while was In It,"
"Then the bottles must have come
from Miss Denslow's roOm-for OF
course they could not have come from
Mrs. Archman's."
Captain Bunker hesitated. 1T would
seem So" he said. But Miss Arch
man seems very sure Of Miss Dens-
low"
miss Archman is a girl and Is apt
IN he enthusiastic" commented AKIN
drvlv "She met Miss Denslow only
. few days before we sailed. Mrs.
Arcbman engaged her on recommends
tion of Miss Van Kull. No DOUBT she
is a lady and an able governess' as
Miss Van KulI certified, but she may
be a SPY, too. However, l 40 not ~,
sist that 1t was she who threw the
hotties overheard. l merely mention
ths matter for your information.
th,rt II was someone else"
"Who2" , .,,
"prIcei The steward! Did you
know that he had a passkey 10 the
door of this cablnT'
.ue has saw him use 1t yester-
,,u afternoon-about three o'clock
should say" ossod
"Humphi" Captain Bunker NODDED -
s,owlv AkIn's accusation OF friee
d,d not seem to surprise him more
over he seemed to be pondering deep, y,
U,'' ,w "It's quite possible" he said. :. y
didn't know 1t, but after all the loen
:. s,mple and pass-keys are easy 70
not No doubt the spy, whoever ne
S.u was. brought many keys on on board ',n,,
with him. / don't mind 'esins tar yta
W,.H Mr Akin, that somebody did enter nad
.h,. M cabin yesterday afternoon, anu ,.,
emored .mS the safe yonder'-captaln,
Opthcu ,a,,1 rood the sealed