Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-06-11

passageway. but he could hear the
ether att the sitting room door.
There was. no time to replace the
dispatch case and push the trunk
back under the couch, let alone at
tempt to lock either one. The man
was coming now-across the other
room. Captain Francis Newcombe
laid the dispatch case silently down
on the floor, opened the door as
silently. stepped out into the pass
ageway and ran noiselessly along it.
He reached the door Of his own
cabin. His excursion to Locke's
cabin and the evidence of intrusion
lie had been forced to leave behind
him had pat an end to any more
proving on his part tonight.
Locke would probably kick up a
fuss. There would be a very strict
search for the "prowlers." He
snapped his jaws together viciously.
That did not at all please him. He
would very much prefer that the
Would-be assassin should have an
other opportunity of showing his
hand, that the man would be in
spired to make a second attempt.
He, Captain Francis Newcombe,
would be little better prepared this
time!
He pushed open the door Of his
cabin cautiously--and for an instant
stood motioniess, a little back from
the threshold, and at one side.
There was always the possibility.
remote though it may be, that while
he had been out searching for the
other, the man had slipped inside
and; waiting, had made Of the cabin
death trap which nd, Captain
Francis Newcombe, was now invited
to enter. It was not likely. II
would require a little more nerve
than the firing Of shot through the
window, and then running away.
But, for all that, having failed the
first time. the other might be moved
to take what might possibly be con-
sidered more certain measures ON
the next attempt. And in that case
NO: the cabin was empty, The
light from the passageway, ffItering
In through the open door, showed
that quite plainly.
He closed and locked the door
now, shutting out the light, and.
with his revolver In his hand. sat
down In the darkness, out of direct
range himself, but where he could
command the window. 1t was a bit
Iutie: He was conscious of that.
put tnere was always the possibility
OF the mans return. and there was
no other possibility that promised
any better--or, indeed, promised
anything at all.
His mind began. to weigh, and sift
ana grope as through a maze,
battling with the problem again
NOT Locke. He was rather definitely
prepared to set Locke apart from
anybody else on board the ship, and
say that 1t was not Locke. who
then? Who had any
He Strengthened ND. suddenly
even more alert. There was come
one out In the passageway now
some one outside his door. There
came low, quick rap.
Who's there?" demanded CAPTAIN
Francis Newcombe sharply.
Locke's voice answered.:
ITS Locke. May come in?" a
captain Francis Newcombe cross
eu 10 the door, unlocked IT. and
Hello" calculated the Young
American, as the light from the mas.
sageway fell upon the other. mot
IN bed. and in the dark! WHATS
the idea? Why no iighte"
Because fancy it's safer--in The
dark" said Captain Francis New
connie. Come in" 4
Safer" Howard Locke stepped
into the cabin and closed the door
behind him. How safer? Saw.
look here! Some ones. been turning
my stateroom inside out--bccn foine
through my things"
you're. lucky" said Captain
Francis .Newcombe tersely. $50 q
"Lucky." echoed the young Amer
lean quickly. what do you mean ?-
That 1t wasn't anything worse"
said Captain Francis Newco,nbe
coolly Some ones been trying 10
put q bullet through me--of11y it
went into the wall over there in
stead. Here, take = iook." He
switched on the light. See It'll ne
by the door casing!"
.Good Cod" exclaimed Locke.
Yes; / see II! When was this %.
Shortly after left ycu. As +
opened the door here and stepped
into the cabin. was firsd at