The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1925-12-25
CHAPTER III-Continued

CHAPTER III-Continued
-
When he walked away, Dick moved
camp stool near the railing and con-
tentedly pulled away at his cigarette.
He was apparently interested only in
the scene on the dock, and never once
turned his head sideways or back
ward. He felt that eyes were watch
ing him, but he wasn't sure.
The minutes sped along slowly, and
after the third cigarette his head
sagged to one side as if he slept. He
snored once or twice.
He was conscious once of catlike
footstep coming around the forward
cabin. and halting near him, but he
continued to snore peacefully. Twenty
minutes, and he was still in the same
position. Out Of the corners Of his
half-closed eyes, he saw Captain
Brent go down the gangplank and walk
aft where the men were finishing their
job Of coaling the yacht.
Once out of his sight a remarkable
change came over Dick. He sat slowly
upright, and gazed swiftly and keenly
around the deck. He was alone on 1t.
Not person was in sight.
Without further delay he picked up
his package and darted for the main
saloon cabin. Once in it he closed the
door softly and stared around. The
place was vacant. He gave vent to a
chuchle of relief.
The cabin was not much changed
from the days when his father owned
it. The furnishings had been re-up-
holstered, and the woodwork done over,
and few pictures distributed around;
but In the. main 1t was exactly as he
had always known it. 1t was home to
,,fim, and great desire TO shout and
proclaim the fact made him lightheart-
ed for moment.
But q babel Of voices on the deck
warned him that any moment Captain
rent might return. and find him
e. He crossed the richly carpeted
u in few strides and came to a
MA front of paneled wall. He
re swift glance up and around
then dropped down on his
ds shook little as he fun
atsse base with nervous fingers.
breath came and went in little
ep. tremulous waves. He knew
at the critical moment had arrived
pat would decide the success or fail
Re Of his scheme. Like bank
Hirglar opening safe. with the fear
Of the police beating on his brain, he
played his hands up and down skill
fully and with precision, hunting for
something that time had dlmmed in his
memory.
Suddenly low exuItant cry es-
capped his lips. His fingers had touched
the thing he had been searching for.
1t was tiny crack between the mold
ing and dashboard. 1t was hardly wide
enough to admit the blade of pocket
knife.
With one finger pressed on it for
fear of losing it, Dick got his knife out
Of his pocket and opened the smallest
blade. Inserting the point of this in
the crack he pressed It hard against
something that gave forth a soft tink-
ling, metallic sound.
The effect Of his manipulations
would have startled Captain Brent had
he appeared then. but to Dick it was
. no more than he expected. The mar
row panel before him slid slowly to
one side. revealing an opening in the
wall about the size of small state
room.
The secret compartment in the wall
had been designed by the architects of
the yacht to satisfy whimsical fancy
pf Dicks fether. 1t had been used as
storage place for special papers and
ecurities that the elder Van Ness
ten carried away with him on long
hlsess 1t was never designed for
lman occupancy. and when Dick
glanced in 1t he felt chill of doubt.
The dust Of years had accumulated
over the floor. showing that 1t had not
heen used by the present owner of the
yacht. Dick had guessed right that
the secret of 1t had not been passed
on with the sale of the craft, and no
one, in refittlng the interior, had
stumbled upon the spring that opened
the panel.
It was just about wide enough and
long enough for man to stretch him
self and move about without humping
his elbows or soaring his shins. 1t
was high enough for the tallest man,
with an open register above through
which the air of the cabin escaped.
rhe presence Of this register Of iron
srillwork. instead of exciting sus-
! picion. allayed the curiosity of any
one inquisitive enough to want to
thump the walls to see if there was a
hollow space behind.
Approaching footsteps on the deck
brOughf Dick out of his raveria NJ in