The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-07-31
Mustsations bu
hwinMyers

tne screw began to revolve. The FL
Rio was off once more.
captain Bunker had been occunied
not only by his efforts to throw tbe
supposed pursuer off the track but
also by an attempt to discover the snv
VINO mad robbed the safe. This proved
to be extremely difficult. Every one
on board who might reasonably have
been suspected of committing the rob-
berry seemed to be above suspicion
and were able to prove perfect alibi
into the bargain.
Very speedily the captain demon.
strated to his own dissatisfaction that
the steward, James Price, whom he
had first suspected. had been forward
with the men during the entire time
available for the robbery.
Next the captain turned to Lord
George. Captain Bunker had his own
opinion about so-called noblemen; he
distrusted them and their credentials
on principle, and set little store by
the fact that Lord George had been
introduced by another nobleman. Only
the fact that Lord George had been
indubitably popping away with his rifle
from the quarterback all afternoon
prevented Captain Bunker from TAX
ing him TO task directly. He did
question him shrewdly as to the bot
ties at which he had been firing. But
he got no results; though apparently
open and frank to the limit, Lord
EnnrUn nj nF A.
slightest value; and Captain Bunker
was unable to decide whether this was
because he was exceptionally shrewd
or entirely ignorant.
Last. the captain sought out Miss
Denslow, and inquired into her where
abOuts during the afternoon, and found
that she was fully accounted for.
There remained only Mrs Arch
mans maid, in the family employ for
twenty years, who had been with her
mistress nearly all afternoon, and who
seemed entirely incapable Of carrying
through such a desperate enterprise as
safe robbery.
Mrs. Archman, Harry and Bess
seemed above suspicion; and any lin
gering doubts that Captain Bunker
may have entertained as to the com
plicity of any one of them, or of the
maid. were dssipated as he reflected
that they really could not possess the
technical skill necessary to open safe
by lingering the tumblers of the lock.
Only a person of unusual skill and of
long training could possibly have done
this.
Captain Bunker was forced to con-
>lnde that some member of the crew
had taken desperate chances and ven
yured aft, where he had no business,
ami had succeeded In reaching the
cabin and getting into the safe. In
vestigation, however, cast no slightest
shadow on any one of the men.
Bess knew how busy Captain Bunker
had been and she tried to hold herself
in leash away from him, so as not t'
add to his annoyance. All the earl!
part of the evening she lay In hei
chair, listening TO the chat OF the
others, especially to that OF Lord
George.
When the steamship started again
Bess rose from her chair. "lm going
to the bridge" she announced.
Harry looked up. captain Bunker
won't want you," he began. Then.
noting that his sister had waited Tor
no comment, he turned to Lord George
with a laugh. 1--WE men Will have 10
get ND an association in America to
regain our rights" he said.
Lord George did not answer Tor
moment. Then he started. "oh! An
Yesi Quite so, old chap" he answered.
heartily but vaguely.
Harry stared at him, but the Eng
llshman said no more, and after mo
ment Harry got up and wandered away
forward.
Meanwhile Bess had ascended to the
bridge and had gone to Captain BUNK
er's side, 81 couldn't stay away any
longer, captain she murmured' !
was too anxious. Have we dodgeo
them?'
Contain Bunker turned dim face
TO the girl. 81 think So" he SAID. Az
all events we're going In"
"Going in?'
"Yes We've just passed Lobos
island. Yonder 1t Hes" He pointed
TO the east, but Bess could see no
trace of the blacker shadow OF the
land. "Our destination Is JUST zen
miles due south. It's the island shown
in that map your mother brought me.
"ohw In the stress of the greater
emotion that had arisen out OF thr
violation of the Instructions, Bess hau
forgotten the map. SIS 1t the riei'
map?, she asked. ~ have forgottep
to ask"
"Yes: It's the right map" captain
Bunker looked about him long nnn
steadily. Then he turned to MS hrs'
officer. "Keep her as she Is, MIR. co'-
Inns" he instructed. I'm going to tne
chart house" He glanced at bess-
"Will you come, Miss ArchmanY. ne
invited. "I want TO talk with Xol'