Evening star., 1927-05-08
Continued from Yesterdays Starr
TWENTY YEIGHTH INsTALLMENT
CHAPTER XIV.
"Sir John and Lady WilfOrd."

The little alleyway was empty,
and when he reached the longer
i corridor there was nobody in
sight. He came back to his room,
turned on the light and took observa-
tions. Immediately facing his own
door was another. Should he knock?
At that moment he heard somebody
In the corridor and ran out to find the
night steward.
who lives in that cabin?" he asked.
''Sir John and Lady Wilford," said
the steward, and Bill experienced a
heartfelt sense of thankfuIness that he
had not disturbed that aristocratic
couple.
did you see any man running along
the corridor as you came down.
mo, SIR replied the steward, and
then: Has anybody tried to get into
your cabin?"
Somebody opened the door"
The steward walked down and eX-
amined the catch.
Maybe you didn't close it. sir"
There was something in his tone that
suggested that he thought Bill had
been dreaming, and at this the re-
porter could not reasonably protest.
He got into his old suit and went in
search Of Bullott Bullott's cabin was
empty; the bed had not been slept in.
A water bottle and glass of water
stood on the table by his bed: his over
coat was hanging on a hook, as was
also his hat Bill made his way on to
the promenade deck, where the bare
footed deck hands were washing down
The Quartermaster in charge an
swered his question in the negative.
mo, sir. I haven't seen Mr.. Bullott.
Not that ! should know him If / saw
him, but the fact is l haven't seen any
passenger. Maybe's he's up on the
boat deck"
The skies were growing gray and
the morning air was cold and keen
when Bin Holbrook mounted the lad
der to the upper deck. There was no
sign of BulIott. Not hesitating, Bill in
vaded that holy of holies, the, bridge,
and was promptly, If courteously, or
dered down by the officer of the watch
i've not seen any passengers, said
that official. He is probably around
somewhere; passengers get in queer
places. Won't you look for him again
and then come along again, and if nec-
essary I'll report it to the captain"
Bill returned to Bullott's cabin, but
he had not come back. He went along
and woke Stone and told him the
news.
"Bullott disappeared? Impossible!
He'll turn up.''
A9ot LA1OuSll LAlC SdpL1lll Was dIOuSEu
and the ship searched from stem to
stern, there was no sign or news of the
missing inspector. Bill went down to
breakfast with a heavy heart, and the
girl, who had heard from her uncle
what had occurred in the night, seem
ed as much concerned. He had beg
ged Lambert Stone to say nothing Of
the Doctors presence on the ship, and
apparently Mr.. Stone had been dis
Greet in this respect, for she did not
associate Laffin's name with the dis
appearance.
What can have happened?" she
said. Could he have fallen over
board?" a 1 5>
Quite impossible according to the
captain" said Bill. II don't know
what to think a.
''He will be found" she suggested,
encouragingly. Perhaps he is max
ing some inquiries in the steerage."
Bill shook his head.
''He has not been seen in the steer
age, which was the first place the cap
tain sent the third officer to Search"
he said.
After breakfast he had news which
was disturbing and ominous It came
from the ships doctor, who met him
at the head Of the gangway.
II wish you'd come along with me,
Mr.. Holbrook," said the medical Off
Ger. You're friend Of Mr.. Bullott's,
aren't you?'
''Yes, a very great friend" said Bill,
quickly. Have you found him?"
mo, we haven't found him. only
come along here"
He opened the door OF Bullott's
cabin, and at first Bill saw nothing un-
usual until the doctor pointed. On the
fnnF. h f~ - .
a cat, stiff1y extended in death.
This cat belongs. to the steward
or, rather, it belongs to the stewards
mess, said the doctor sit sometimes
followed its favorite master, and ap.
parently followed Gibbon, who is Mr..
Bullott's bedroom steward, when he
came up to tidy the cabin. The cat
got on TO the bed and drank from that
water" He pointed to the glass of
water that was on the bedside table.
which seemed as full as it had been
when Bill had seen it the night before.
In the daylight, however, he noticed
blush tinge to the liquid. This un-
fortunate animal took two sips and
that is the result"
"Poisoned?" asked Bill.
The doctor nodded
Il don't know what poison il is, but
1t is a pretty virulent one," he said.
nave Smeled II for cyanide, but il
is something much more powerful"
At that moment his own steward
brought bottle, and into this he care
fully poured the contents OF the glass.
Il can make a rough analysis, but
doubt whether l shall be able to de-
tect the agent used until we get to
New York" he said. 'AIr. Bullott had
no suicidal tendencies?"
None whatever said Bill, emphati.
cally; he was the healthiest and SAN
est man / have met. If there is poi
son In that glass, and undoubtedly
there is, then it was introduced by
somebody who wished to do him a mis-
chief. Why was the water put there,
anyway"
The steward volunteered the infor.
nation that Bullott had asked him TO
pour out glass of water before he
left for the night, and to place an an.
pie in readiness on a plate, as he was
an early riser. The apple was gone.
He may have eaten that last night"
said Bill. "but if he did, he took # ont
Of the cabin"
Holbro0k opened the inspectors
trunk and made brief examination.
without discovering any clue TO the
man disappearance.
STEAMSHIPS.