Evening star., 1928-03-07
CONTINUED from Yesterdays star.)

Rats, is TT" roared the Scotch en-.
gineer Young man. when / was YOU,
age. I'd no have the impertinence tc
say rats to my elders, Just because
I'd no the experience or the brains to
get the drift Of what they were talk
ing about!"
Sorry, chief" said Jaffray, con-
trietly. But I'm hanged If I see
where Offering 5000 pounds reward
for q murderer is the unprincipled act
you seem to think it is"
Can We no?" returned the engineers
voice heatedly. "I'll ask We a question,
then. An it's a fair one. What would
you do 10 get your hands On five thous-
and pounds? Five thousand, mind ye-
It's a hugeous sunni
"Do?" Jaffray's voice was suddenly
low and fervent. I'D do lot! Rather!
Most anything but murder. I fancy. 1t
would set the ordinary man up, Of
course. and that's the idea"
Aye" said the engineer gruffiy, AN
there's some as wouldn't stop at murder
more in these parts as wouldn't. than
them as would. tell We no goodll
come Of it.! Where was this Peter
Blake last heard of? Where's he likely
10 be found? 'Taint like 1t was in the
heart of civilization. All the scum Of
6A9C 4SIaIiNS 1N1dIdA Sla IL DC dIlSI
1--WE thousand pounds"
"Of course, they will" agreed Jaff-
ray. What do you suppose 1t was
offered fore"
And" said MACPHERSON sapiently. ''if
the b!ighter's ever found, he's the only
one that stands a chance of not having
his throat cut before he's landed in
Sydney and turned over 70 the police.
us the one who finds him that'u be
knitted by some one else who wants his
chance at handing the murderer over
and getting the reward-and there's
no SAYING where that sort of thing
would stop with the crowd that's to be
found In this part Of the world! tell
ye no good'll come Of it. and. money
though he may have. Mr.. Garth has no
the right to spend 1t without judicious
thought TO the consequences. Aye, an
ye can tell him so. too, wi my compu-
rlents. If ye like
Tell him Yourself" said Jaffray, with
o short laugh. Something whispers to
me that I'm only hanging on to my own
job by an eyelid, as ii is. Lord. I wish
] had the blooming luck to cop that five
thousand; and I'd hate to put the
chance up to you. either, for all
Mr. Garth retreated back along the
"H'm!" confded Mr.. Garth to him.
Sell. I fancy I'm not wanted there,
eitheri"
Mr.. Garth pulled viciously on his cigar.
His mood was in no degree mellowed
He was conscious now of a sense of pro-
nounced irritability. Macpherson. Of
course, was a Self-opinionated old ass
he. Humphrey Garth. was not at all
clear IN his mind as to what the engin-
eeT had been driving at, and he was not
at all sure that the engineer knew
either. As for Jaffray-perhaps JAN
ray wasn't so far wrong-about the job.
SaUray had his good qualities, but he
vas nit-er--er-well. shallow-yes,
say. swallow. y. George Jaffray, sec
he signed the letters.
''Humph!" grunted Mr.. Garth. And
then, an instant later: Well, the five
thousand pounds hasn't done any harm
SO fal-or any good, either. I've q
damned good mind TO make 1t tent"
Mr.. Garth reached the deck and
pitched his cigar savagely overheard.
Ee didn't want 10 play any bridge. or
anything else. tonight. His mind was
still further disturbed now with the
thought Of Tom Murchison. 1t was
almost three weeks since he had offered
tAS reward, ana kanc having returned
from Auckland and the Isis having sail
&C few days earlier than had been
originally planned-five weeks, approxi-
nlstely, since Daddy Tom" had been
murdered. The reward had had un-
paraueied publicity. He had seen to
that II vas known everywhere. But
after three weeks it had brought no
result. There was neither trace. nor
word. nor sign Of the man Blake.
From the night Blake had disappeared
with Tom Murchisons boat and Tom
Muren!son's pearls. the fellow had be-
come. 30 far as any clue to his where
soouts vas concerned. literally non
But I'll get him." said Mr.. Garth
from between suddenly clenched teeth.
STor, old crony. pledge you that! III
get him, II 1t takes years and my last
pound"
Quite unconsciousiy, Mr. Garth had
reached the forward end Of the deck.
and the two steamer chairs.
Rand at once rose courtecusly.
can for bridge, father?" cried
Marion gsyiy.
''Eh?" said Mr.. Garth. little startled
"Er--no. think I'll beg Of tonight
Can't say feel like il. Thought maybe
1d 90 up on top for turn with Stone." :"