Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-19

|
body has broken into your safe. I pre-
| sume?"
"No. It was intact when went to
bed
Then how could this bill get out"
Chris said tensely. who brought it
in here?" The unpleasantness Of his
situation was beginning to dawn upon
Christopher Dahlgren. What in the
name of Sam Hill was happening
| upon this ship!
Lady de We're rang for me soon
after dinner this evening and asked
| for her money" the purser explained,
| and his tones expressed anxiety.
And you gave it to herr"
Yes. after time and with the
| captains permission, when she had
returned to us our receipt for her
money"
But why did she want it?" Chris
| pursued his inquiry. How could she
use it,"
THAT was what worried the cap
| tain," the purser returned thought
fully" He only let her have 1t after
the greatest persuasion on her part"
But why?" Christopher persisted,
| "tell me why?"
well, she declared that she had
had dream that some one was
breaking into the safe. The idea had
| taken complete possession Of her, for
she declared that her dreams always
came true. She was so upset that
she went into Mysteries, and the cap
tain finally gave in. / think, Mr..
Dahlgren, that you had better tell me
| the exact story Of what led to your
| finding this bin. Was this other man
in the cabin at the timer" e.
"No," Straine FASTENED to reply. 81
| heard in the smoking room that Dahl
gren had a touch Of heat prostration
| and came in to offer my services.
| When I opened the door he was
standing beside the window with the
bill in his hand. 1 suggested that he
| wake you Immediately"
THAT was q very wise STEP" the
purser agreed, land will place this
| note in the safe again until morning.
Lady de We're must have dropped it
| in the passage some time during the
evening and the breeze blew it into
this cabin. I am sorry that you
should have this embarrassment, Mr..
Dahlgren, but glad that I can adjust
| the matter so easily"
81 was thinking" Straine said,
that If Lady de We're is already so
| nervous about this money owing to
her belief in dreams, it might be
best to return It to her tonight. AS
passed her door I noticed that the
light was still burning. Why not let
her have it before she becomes aware
, of it's loss?"
| That's a good tdea," the purser
agreed. II will relieve her mind
about it Immediately and insist upon
placing all her money in the safe. She
may be more reasonable now that she
sees the danger Of carrying such
| large sums upon her person."
He stepped into the passage. closely
| followed by both men. Chris was de-
termined to see the bill returned.
Straine-well, he appeared to be in
terested in everybody's affairs!
The light shone through Lady de
Veres transom and Chris noticed that
Anne, across the way. was also burn.
ing electricity.
These women never go to bed!' he
was thinking as the purser knocked
on her ladyship's door. Crazy bust
| ness sitting up all night, burning the
candle at both ends; no sense to it."
No answer from Lady de We're. An
other knock.
Lady de Vere"' the purser called,
this is the purser. I have something
Of yours. Please open your door,"
Complete stiffness. The purser
turned a troubled face toward Straine
and Chris.
Funny" he said; must be sound
asleep With her light on
| TRY the door," Chris suggested.
The man hesitated.
). I'D better get the captain" he
said. "On a boat like this
But Straine had already stepped
forward and turned the knob.
II don't mind trying" he said conn
IDENTIFY; shell understand"'
Il The door was not locked. It yielded
to Straine's hand and revealed ar
empty cabin which presented an ex
traordinary and appalling sight, Civ
ing indication of having been struck
by a cyclone! Clothes, toilet articles
books, hand luggage were strewr
about the floor, on berths and chairs
, producing scene of utter devasta
/, ton!
Good gracious!" broke from the
: lips Of the purser, whats happened
! here? Lady de Verer He peered
wildly about the stateroom. Lady dc
Vere."
/, HAS the cabin a private bath?'
Chris asked hurriedly.
r mo, these are all single passenger
q rooms, like yours! She may be in the
ladies' lounge, however. Wen get the
q | stewardess."
t Fritz. the steward, again aroused by
violent ringing, put in another sleepy
appearance, but after one look at the
devastated cabin fled in search Of the
: stewardess, while the purser will
Straine and Chris stood looking upor
r the havoc in utter dismay.
n Several minutes elapsed before thu
I substitute stewardess, Sonia, appeared
" uttering loud ordinations of terror.
al Her ladyship not IN shower bath