Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-06-13

CAPTAIN FRANCIS EEWCoMBE. .K-
offCsr In the great war. who breaks
. into society. but who In really
{ Shadow V1rne. noted figure OF uuder-
world. and In charge OF various big
steals that hav1 aet London agog.
PAUL. CREMAkKE. noted French
thief. who has met Sewcombs In
the back waters OF the war. along
RUHNELLs. a valet. who has dons
some big thefts on his own account.
TIE FOURTH sTEAGGLER. who
hears tho crooks agree 70 combine
after ths arfnistice and who dlsap-
FOLLY wfcKEs. a rower-girl. whom
Sewcombs has adopted and sent 10
America to - finishing school. with
the idea OF insurlnE social contacts
Of the best before he leaves England.
after executing some big hauis She
IL the friend OF
DORA MARLIN. daughter OF an eccen-
trio millionaire. aud her guest on
bfg show place on tho Florida keys.
ahcro
MIR. MARLIN. the mad magnats. has
buried moro than half million dol
lars. the existence OF which New
eomhe learns inadvertently from
Hls beautiful ward.
HOWARD LOCKE. son OF n big busl-
ness man, who takes Newcombe ana
Runuclls 10 Florida on his steam
launch lilo falls IN love with Polly.
Ths Voice in the Night
Captain Francis Newcombe. from
the dock where he had been making
fast ~ line. surveyed for moment
the deck OF tho Talofa below. His
ewes rested speculativcly on Howard
Locke. who. with sleeves rolled up
and grimy to tho elbows. was busy
over tho yachts engine: then his
glance passed to Runnells on tho
forward deck OF the little vessel,
who was assiduously engaged in
making s,,ipshaps coils of "A number
Of truaI~ ropes. Captain Francis
Hswcombe permitted Il flicker to
Gross his lips. IL was new exper-
icnCs for Runnells. this playing at
sailormnn-and Itunnells had earned
ungrudginE praise from Locke all
the why down from New York
Runnclls had taken to the Job even
as "a child takes to new toy. Well.
50 much the better, Runnells and
Locks had hit 1t off together from
tho start. Again. so much the bet
ter,
lie IL cigarette and started
shoreward along the dock. Manwa
Island Well. In the moonlight at
lenEt II was place OF astounding
beauty. and II its appearance was
any criterion OF It's material worth,
II was a lie laughed softly. and
hnEuidly eXhaled n cloud OF
cigarette smoke. There was lure
about the place---or was Il the
moonlight that, stealing with
dreamy treaChery upon tho senses.
carried one away to land OF make
believe
lie drew his hand suddenly
edross hts eyes.
What a night" he exclaimed
aloud. IT'S like the eyes and lips OF
a dream woman; like n goblet OF
wine of the vintage OF the gods!
No song of the sirens could compare
with this. I'm going ashore. Locke.
What do YOU say
Locke looked up with srunt, as
he awabbed his arms with n piece OF
waste
I'm dons In with this damned
engine" he said irritahly. IT'S too
late TO 20 ashore. They'll all be
asleep"
I'm no, going 70 ring the door
bel" said Captain Francis New
cemhe pleasantly. Tn simply 60
ing TO stroll In paradise. You don't
mind. do you7"
Go to n" said Locke. I'm go
Ing to bed
Right" said Captain Frsnci,
Sewcomhe
He turned snd walked shoreward
along tho dock. over his shoulder
he saw Runnells pause in the act OF
coilinC rope to stare after htm-and
again an ironical little flicker
crossed hts lips. Runnells' was no
doubt prompted to call out and ask
what this midnight excursion was
all about, but Runnells in the eyes
OF Howard Locke was valet. and
mnnells must therefore be dumb.
Rnnnells on occasions knew his
place,
He nodded in sort OF self COM
mandatory fashion 10 himself as,
reaching the shore. he started for
ward along a roadway that opened
through the trees. He was well
satisfied with his decision to bring
lSunnells along on the trip. Cap
tain Francis Ncwcomhe and man"
looked well. sounded well. and was
weu--since Runnells. for once in his
life. even though IL was due TO no
moral regeneration on the part OF
Eunnells, but due entirely to Run
neils' belief that he was on an in
nccent holiday. could be made ex-
ceedingly useful In bolstering up his
masters social standing without
bagging any OF the game.
blessed 10 he who expects little"
n,urmured Captain Francis New
cembe softly TO himself. for he
shall receive--still less"
He paused abruptly. and stared
ahead OF him. Curious road, this!
fAk>> ILL e.