Evening star., 1928-03-11

Continued from Yesterdays STAR

knows me by Is the one you gave me
up there on the deck-Alcc Dunn"
The little rcd-haired skipper's fingers
took f1rmcr clutch at his beard.
Look here" he exploded, Il amt
no good at riddles
TITS not a riddle" Peter said quietly
Il saw her once In crowd--ycars ago
in London. That's all"
Capt. Jbsephus Mumm's Jaw dropped.
and for moment he stared ct Peter
helplessly; then suddenly broad grin
oversprcad his face.
MY word!" he calculated. IN a
crowd oncc--years ago-in London!
Blimy! I think I'll trouble you for
that bottle again!"
No" said Peter; we're going to
talk this out"
"All right" said Capt. Mumm Go
ahead! If you amt afraid she's going
| to give you away. what's the reason
you amt satisfied with the name of
Alec Dunno"
There are two reasons" said Peter
steadily: though there is really only
one that counts--tll: first one. I am
Peter Blake. I don't want to run. and
don't want to hide. I'm not mur-
dcrer; I'm not criminal. I don't
want to sSulk around under another
afraid to face this rotten thing they
say I've done, no matter what the
consequences may be. The second
reason is merely a grossly material one.
1t wouldn't do me- any good. anyhow.
l couldn't get away with 1t. II / want
cd to. You said my description was
out everywhere. Sooner or later I'd b.
caught. As a matter OF fact. I'm like
ly to be recognized on board here when
daylight comes And once caught un-
der such Circumstances-pawn my
self off ss somebody else--it would con-
dcmn me out of hand as being proof
positive of my guilt"
HIM" said the little red-haired
skipper coolly. Well, its the second
reason that counts most with me.
cause 1t settles the matter right from
the start: whereas the first, being
what you might call bit ethereal,
you can think over at your leisure.
Therefore my lad, III. answer the
second first No matter what name
you're caught under. you haven't cot
chance once the police get their
hands on you: so that settles that.
There's no chance of Var Lal or any OF
the others b2ing picked up now. so they
can't talk. AS for the rest. there amt
any photograph of you attached TO
them police notices. There's more'n
few thousand mcn In these parts
thatll answer to II mabbe nnater than
you would. / came across you under
peculiar circumstances. and with cor
roborating evidence. so 10 speak. TO
point out who you were--that motor
boat. for instance. Y'underStand?
Here. It's the other way around, with
the coroborating evidence all In favor
~f kx-tt
you run down In midocean. and amt
your skipper Geid your name was Dunn.
and that you we're one OF his crew?
NV eye! There amt hope OF any
one on this hooker clapp.13 his hand
on your shoulder end saying you're
the fellow thu3ly ana so described. un-
less there's somebody that actually
knows you. And the chances OF that
amt good enough To start you taking
In any reefs not yet awhile. And
that being so. and AS. according to
what understand from Fir Garth,
this boats going UP 10 pay social
call at some chaps island that's
aboard as a guest. you're safe enough
for the time being ANYHOW.
Peter shrugged his shoulders.
L said wasn't much interested In
that end OF It," he observed laconically.
cd skipper sharply: but / am--having
already got myself mixed up In 1t.
And having disposed of that 10
my satisfaction. veil take squint
through the other end Of the spy
glass. what good Is 1t goin. to do you
to 20 up there on deck end bawl out
the fact that you're Pcter Blake. and
wanted for murder and ask some one
10 come and arrest you Quick? You
haven't got chance! The evidence
Is tiead against YOU from start To finish.
There amt a Jury that would ever
leave their seats 10 talk II over.
There's a difference between bring too
proud to duck for shelter end being
plain damned fool. II ;ou think 80
much Of your blamed name. you'd bet
ter do a little thinking al the same
time along the line OF digging 1t out
OF the muck ltll be a lot mucsier
when you're dangling on the end OF n
rope. my lad. being innocent. the
thing To do Is prove your Innocent.
and the only way 10 do that Is fight,
and the only chance you've got To fight
is 10 b. Alec Dunn until YOU can get
YOUR fingers on the sEtnc's throat
that put up tho Job on you"
Peter. from studying the floor With
knitted brows. looked M suddenly with
a quick and oui22ical smile,
How long Is Ii since you've decided
| was innocent9" he inquired pointed
~.
Capt. Joscphus Mumm's unh1ndsome
features became contracted In what
vas meant 10 be- broad and CONF
DENTAL grin,
Fair enough," he exclaimed heart
Ivy That's fair enough. my lad~~and
I'll answer IL. II WAS when you BASH
II amt logic or reason to suppose
would go around sticking n knife into
man In his Sleep--not for all the
pearls in Polyncsia!"
Peter WAS still smiling oui2sically
Possibly the Jury would take the
same view" he suggested
Not on your lite," declared Capt.
Mumm. and added deep-throated
oath by way OF emphasis, They'd say
we we're In cahoots for the pearls~~me
ha'ing supplied you with false iden-
tity. ! tell you there's only one thing
10 do, and one chance to save both
your neck and that precious name Of
yours, and that's 10 keep under cover
and play The same game that's being
played on yon You're satisfied that
the murder was deliberately planted
on you. amt you?"
Peter Strengthened up In his chair.
suddenly tightlipped.
Naturally" he said grimly
''Rightp' said the little red-haircd
skipper coollv. And as things are
now. the minute YOU 60 shouting