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

Qut8iu6-tPSEe &Io uAaEk8 O1t lt-AsAI
whoever it was. was waiting for
me-"
ssThat's damned queer. said How :
/ ard Locke. when left you I went
to my rooms.Sand everything was all
right went back TO the smoking
room because had left my cigarette
cate there. I stayed few EI:nutes
watching several hands o. bridge,
and when I went back to nay r. oI1z
again I found my steamer trunk
open and q case OF papers en- the
floor.
Anything missing?" asked Cap
tain Francis Newcombe.
NO; not so far as J know" Locke
answered. what do you think had
better be done2"
Il think you had better switch
that light off, and stand away from
the line OF the window.
The young American shook his
head.
mo" he said. TITS hardly like
tried twice in the same night. Say,
what do you make of !t?s.It seems
mighty queer that YOU and I should
have been picked out for some
swine's attenttonsi What should be
6one?"
what have you done?"
Nothing, so far" Locke replied.
II came here at once to tell you
about 1t, and ask your advice.
suppose the commander ought to be
told"
Captain Francis Newcombe sat
down on the edge Of his bunk.
Il can't see the good of it, he
said slowly. Were landing lcnor-
row. It would mean the shore
police aboard, and no end OF a fuss;
and an almost certain delay, nobody
allowed on the ship, and all that.
you know. I can't see how'-'t would
get US anywhere. You haven't lost
anything, and well, I'm st;ll
alive"
That's true" said Locke. He
was staring at the bullet hole in the
wall. And worst of all there'd be
reporters. Three inch headlines!
I'm not for that! I agree with you.
Well say nothing"
Captain Francis Newcombe in
spected Locke's back.
How much of crew do you
carry on this fifty -footer of yours ~
he inquired softly.
why not necessarily any one but
the two of us and your man, if you'll
come along" Howard Locke turned
around suddenly to face the other.
'Why?"
We'll" said Captain Francis New
combe quietly, under those condi-
lions, as the two victims Of tonight
we'd form asesort Of mutual pro-
tective society-and perhaps, If the
offer is still open, it would be the
safest way for me to reach my
IL uki liza
windows for any one to fire
through
Howard Locke lighted a cigarette.
That's go!" he said. I'm very
keen to make the trip with you.
And If all this has decided it, I'm
glad it's happened. That's fine.
And now-what are you going to do
for the rest of the night?"
why, I'm going to bed" said
Captain Francis Newcombe casually;
and at the risk Of appearing in
hospitable, should advise ~ou to do
likewise"
Right" agreed Locke. "There's
nothing else to do" He stepped to-
ward the door, but paused, staring
at the bullet, mark in the wall again
"That bullet hole seems to
fascinate you." smiled Captain
Francis NeWcombe.
YES" said Locke, as he opened
the door. Il was thinking what a
rotten thing it was to be fired al
cold bloodedly in the dark. Good
night"
The door closed.
Captain Francis Newcombe did
again, he sat there on the bunk.
v,otnttfA0 no fhoxy drfft q
into hours. ,
The mans figure became erouehed
became a shape that lost human
semblance, that was like unto some
creature huddled in its lair; apd
the face was no longer human. fol
upon 1t was stamped the passions
OF hell; and the head became cooked
curiously sideways in a strained at
titude of attention, as though listen
ing, listening, listening, always
listening.
And there came a time when hi
spoke aloud, and called out hoarse-
who's that? Who's whispering
there? Who's calling Shadow Varne
- Shadow, Varne =" Shadow
Varne ="
And in answer the ships bell
struck the hour Of dawn.
BOOK H.. THE ISLE OF PREY
The SPELL of the Moonbeams
On veranda of great length and
spacious width, moon streaked where
the light stole in through the row
Of ornamental columns that sup
ported the roof and through the
interstices of uncovered lattice
work, checkering the flooring in
fnn nff1.1 It'll
self suddenly on her elbow from q
reclining chair. and, reaching out
her hand. laid it, impulsively on that
of another girl who sat in a chair
beside her.
Just think, Dora I haven't seer
him for nearly four. years, and III
have all the news. and hear every
thing / want to know about mother
He said they'd leave the mainland
today, and it's only five hours
across. I'm sure he'll still come
And, besides, I'm certain 1 heard q
motorboat few minutes ago"
Very likely" agreed Dora Marlin
Nbut that was probably one Of oui
own men out somewhere around the
island. It's. very late now. and in
half an hour it will be low tide, and
they would hardly start at all Il
they knew they wouldn't make
Manwa by daylight. There are the
reefs, and"
The reefs are charted," said Polly
Wickes decisively. Il know he'll
come"
A little ripple of laughter came
from Dora Martins chair.
How old is Captain Newcombe
dear" she inquired naively.
Don't he a haaCf nora
Polly Wickes severely. Hes verv
very old-at least he was when
saw him last" y
When you weren't much more
than fourteen" observed Dora Mar
lin Judicially. And when you're
fourteen anybody over thirty IL !
regular Mathuaelah Ennur -