Evening star., 1928-03-14
The Devils Mantle BY "a FRANKS Mys't'T SAo*ssD o*sS
v ~o ta,7bv L rekrd

and yet there were times when l was
strangely sure that there would be--a
sequel"
II was always sure" said Peter, and
in his voice there famed sudden pas
sion and an intense yearning that would
not be denied And then he would nave
taken the words back If he could for
he saw the color mount and sweep
across her face, and they were not any
longer man and maid. because he was
which?-Peter Blake or Alec Dunn?
She made no answer.
Peter. in a curiously jerky way. push
ed his hand across his eyes. His voice
sounded strained, unnatural In his own
cars as he spoke again:
II meant to take year of 1t. two
years of 1t, anywhcrc-evcrywher To
to find myself, If you know what
mean. If anything cropped up that
appealed to me and offered an oppor-
tunity 1t would solve the problem; II
not. then. at the end there was London
and the high stool In the counting
house. I went out to India in the fore
castle of r s. O. boat-worked my
way out. of course. From there went
to Ccylon. then across to Singapore.
and eventually, after a year of knocking
about with short stretches of shore life
here and there, stranded on the beach
at Apia For the next six months,
bit of beach comher, I am afraid. !
batted about from one island to an
other-various jobs / can't say that
had .shaken myself down any or had
got much of grip on my restlessness
Perhaps it was the last place In the
world for cure. Copra and natives!
I don't know whether you know any
thing about the life In the islands,
but"
"Oh, but I do" she interrupted. II
think I quite understand. It's rather
deadly dull--on some of the smaller
ones, isn't it? ! used to go to one quite
frequently
did you?" Peter asked the question
mechanically. He was coming to the
end now-very close to it-~and another
question. whose demand for an answer
tortured and tormented him, battered
pitilessly at his brain. "Oh. yes. of
coursa-you spoke of the island mis-
Sions."
No" she said. and shook her head,
Il am afraid I was never quite so un-
Her voice dropped suddenly, No
there was very old friend of fathers.
and very. very dear friend of mine.
my godfather. Mr.. Murchison-"
''Murchison!" It came in low, IN
voluntary cry from Peter-like sud-
den. uncomfortable cry of hurt.
She drew back quickly. staring at him
with suddenly startled eyes-and then
quietly bent her head again.
But. of course you would know" she
said her voice shaken little. Every
body III this part of the world must
know by now. Yes, It Is the same Mr..
Murchison who was murdered number
of weeks ago in his bungalow for the
sake of few pearls by a"--her hands
had clenched on her lap and her face
was very white and set--"by al can't
call him man. for 1t was done In
Daddy Toms sleep-by flend named
Peter Blake. It was father who offered
have heard about" She sprang to her
ieet. "Oh, why--oh. how did the SUBJ
ject ever come UP tonight?" she cried
passionately. Il hate 1t so-and--and
that name! 1t is all so abominable. and
I-I-there is not night that have
not prayed without pity. and without
mercy. that they would catch him and
bring him to his miserable end
Peter did not move. His eyes were
flxed on the deck. His hands. too.
were clenched-clenched till the nails
bit but they were hidden In his pock-
cts. Her father was the man who had
offered the reward! She was the god
daughter Of Tom Murchison! Daddy
Tom! The bitterness in her voice! Tell
her now he was Peter Blake and ex-
pect her 10 believe his story and his ur-
supported word--to still hold her faith!
Only the insane folly of madman
would dream of that! II what she
meant to him meant his all. he had
only one chance--iust one. This an
swered the question for him. There
was only one way-Capt Mumm's way.
To 90 out and flght-flght for proof OF
his innocence--hght for his love. Yes!
A thousand times, yesl Fight for his
love--not destroy 1t here and now by
ultra -quixotic notions OF honor, He
would tell her he was Peter Blake when
he could stand four-square before her
and the world. his name Vindicated-or
else he would never tell her, for his
search would have never known an end
Out amongst the outposts Of civilization
far from her world! II he failed
we'll. 1t would be fate-because death
would have, interyened too soon.
Marion's voice broke In upon him
quiet. normal. full OF interest again.
Forgive me-" she said. as she re-
seated herself. please do not let us
say anything more about 1t. Won't you
20 on with your story?"
Peter squared his shoulders.
Continued i'm Tomorrow's STAR