Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-06-17


CAPTAIN FRANCIS NEWCOMER. ex-
into society. but who is really
shadow varne. noted figure OF under
world. and In charge OF various big
steals that have get London sgog.
FALL c GRE saa re-, S Noted b.'ni IN
the back waters Of the war. along
gENSELLs. a valet, who has done
some big thefts on his own account,
TIE FOURTH sTRAGGLER. who
hears the crooks agree to combine
after the armistice and who disap-
POLLY WIckEs, a nower-girl. whom
Newcombs has adopted and sent to
America to a finishing school. with
the idea of insuring social contacts
~ the best before he leaves England,
after executing some big hauis. sns
DORA MARLIN. daughter of an eccen-
trio millionaire, and her guest on Q
big show place on the Florida Keys
NH. MARLIN. the mad magnate. has
buried more than half a million dol
lars, the existence Of which New
-combe learns Inadvertently from
his beautiful ward.
HOWARD LOCKE, son or PIG pusi
ness man, who takes Newcombe and
|Runneiis TO Florida on his steam
launch. He falls IN love with Polly.
Locke. for the sake of nonchal-
ance, carefully selected another
cigarette from his case and lighted
S.. A quarter past two tomorrow
night. II 1t were not pitiable. 1t
would be absurd that the old man
should have to come here In this
manner to the boathouse to make an
appointment for tomorrow night,
when in the natural course OF events
he would have been afforded an
endless number OF infinitely more
convenient opportunities to make the
same request! And why, tomorrow
night, other than tonight. or this
afternoon. or even now? And why
At such an hour? It was useless to
ask the question, for 1t found Its
answer simply in the workings OF a
poor. u,hinged midland yet Locke
found himself asking the question
Mechanically.
s'"That's a rather unusual hour,
lint It, Mr.. Marlin? And why to-
morrow night? Why not tonight.
for instance"
The Old man came close. and
Eripped Locke's arm again with
fsyerish intensity. He looked all
around him, then placed his lips to
1.ocke's ear. ...,
"Tli tell you why" he whispered.
Since last night have been
watched and followed-watched and
followed all the time. all the time.
all the time. They think l am mad.
that my reason Is gone. Ha, ha. can
you imagine that. young man? Well,
they will see! And so It cannot be
tenight, for I must be very careful.
h. NA "a
And the hour! You do not under
stand that? Well. will tell you
something else. The hour is fixed:
1t cannot be altered: 1t cannot be
changed. 1t Is fixed" He gripped
suddenly with n fiercer pressure on
I.ocke's arm. "Ha! Did I not tell
YOU was always being watched and
followed?" he breathed excitedly.
Listen! Listen! There Is some one
coming now"
The old man was trembling
violently. Locke laid his hand re-
assuringly upon the others shoulder.
IT. was quite true that there was
distinctly the sound of some ones
footsteps coming across one OF the
little bridges from the shore. the
one on the far side OF the boathouse
from where they stood obviously.
iot tho OHo Oh tniS sue was IN PUN
view.
why. Mr.. Marlin" Locke smiled,
ITS only some one coming to the
lighthouse. That's quite natural.
Tneres nothing to cause you alarm
in that. But just to set your mind
Mt rest we'll SO and see who It Is"
mo, mo-" whispered Mr.. Marlin
f'ercely. mo one must know that I
suspect anything. l can elude them
they're around ON the other side
now. You stay here. Don't move!
I'm going now. But remember!
Tomorrow night! You will re-
membcr?'
Yes; OF course. Mr.. Marlin"
Locke replied soothingly.
The old man laid his fingers to his
lips.
"..nd not word about It! No one
must know. Keep silent. You will
see. You will see! But I must be
Keep silent--not n word"
The old man was running at top
speed along the veranda.
Locke leaned against the railing.
his face strangely set, as he watch
ed the flying figure cross the bridge.
and, with head constantly jerking
around to peer first over one
shoulder and then the other, disap-
pear finally along the shore.
Good Lord" muttered Locke to
again. "And this morning
he appeared 10 be as sane as ami"
He frowned suddenly. Queer
that--of being constantly
watched! Since last night! l won
der"
He Strengthened up abruptly. and
drew a letter from his pocket. He
read it slowly. carefully. several
times, as though almost he were
It: and then he began
10 tear 1t into little pieces.
Il guess it's safer" he confded to
and then with q grim
smile: Perhaps It's Just as well I
didn't have anything like this with
me that night on board ship"
lie threw the pieces over into the
water. but one fiuttcred back
the railing. And. staring at
this, he laughed little shortly as
his eyes deciphered the typewriter
fragment on the veranda floor:
al reports approved. Use ev
Wv Scotland Yard fully pre-
He picked It up, tore 1t into