Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-20

was "Trask' or "Trumbull'?"
Il suppose such a thing would be
possible
And you've really forgotten"
II did not say So" said Sidney, with
| unruff1ed composure.
Capt. Blodgett's feet were shutting
heavily under the table. He rubbed
his nose retiectively and looked side
wise at the witness. He coughed.
| "H-m!" he muttered. II think ]
begin to understand your point,
madam
THAT is very nice of you" she as.
sured him.
Il don't suppose you'd care to say
anything about whether he walked,
or ran, or rode in his wheel chair?"
Il scarcely think So
| Capt. Blodgett'S manner was that
of a puzzled yet deferential man.
'Or anything else that might throw
| any light on the matter?''
Sidney shook her head. ''1t is too
utterly unimportant," she said.
Trask was not sure that he liked
the last answer: it sounded as if he
| were included among the unimportant
| things.
| Yet he had conceived a tremendous
| respect for the weather professor S
daughter. She had nerve-and she
employed it as a lady should.
she weighs about an ounce-when
she Dances thought Trask. But
| when it comes to little argument
| like this. she weighs something over
a ton. I'm for her.
Her examination at the hands of
| the captain evidently completed, Sid
ney hitched back in her chair and
| swung her feet. The goddess and she
| looked at each other. There was
| mutual speculation in the eyes of both.
1t was Lucille who abandoned the
silent duel. She glanced toward her
| aunt, and there was the faintest sug-
| gestion of a curl at the corners of her
| finely chiseled lips. AS for Sidney,
| she neither smiled. frowned nor indi-
| Gated the least emotion of any kind.
| She looked like completely contented
woman.
Capt. Blodgett riveted a stern
glance upon the figure 70 Trask' s
| nurse.
What's your name?" he demanded,
| suddenly.
''Keeler, sir"
You're in charge Of this mani"
Yes, sir"
Whats his name?'
"Mr. Trumbull"
Ever hear him called Trask?"
NO replied Keefer promptly. 81
mean, mo. sir" he added.
Ever see him walk?"
mo, SIR
you're lying" announced Cant.
| Blodgett bluntly.
Keller bit his lip, but made no reply.
Trask could feel his great hands grip
ping the back of the chair so that it
vibrated. Keller was human. He
| might be liar, but Ii did not please
him to be called one.
How about the night he was out
of his chair for more than an hour?'
We'll, sir, don't believe he was out
of it,"
Trask half turned to look up at his
nurse; His amazement was plain. So
was that of the captain.
What do you mean by that?"
roared the latter. "You were the one
who reported him missing"'
Il know 1t, sir. But I've been think
ing the matter over since, and ! be-
lieve now that made mistake. There
was so much excitement, sir"
Capt. Blodgett lurched back in his
chair and gasped.
You expect us to believe that?"
II hope you'll believe 1t, SIR"
Trask wondered If there was hidden
irony In the monotonously pitched
voice of his nurse. He hoped to be
believed!
There was a considerable pause
during which the captain played with
his watch chain. Aunt Mehetabel
broke the silence.
"Well, if something isn't done about
i this matter, / shall leave the ship"
she announced.
Trask hoped she would; and he
would not have been deeply concerned
,, If she chose the easiest way of do
ing 1t.