Evening star., 1928-02-28
CONTINUED from Yesterdays Starr

On the other hand. Murchison's dis
missal of the providers presence on any
other score was logical enough, too
Peter listened grimly to the loud pattcr
on the roof. Possibly! But he wasn't
dealing in logic. What, then? pre-
sentiment? All his life he had scofIcd
at presentiment, and that sort of thing
Well--what? He did not know. With
out reasoning about it, he felt morally
certain that something more than the
proposed theft OF can of marmalade
had brought those eyes to the window
stats. Perhaps he was wrong; he hoped
ne was, naturally-but the thing had
got hold of him, that was ALL And
got hold Of him hard enough to have
prompted that last remark of his to
Murchison he had changed his
mind about leaving the island, which
concrctely, meant that he would not
leave Murchison while Murchison kept
those pearls here. And in view Of that
decision, II logic was to enter into the
affair a. all, he thereupon could hardly
have returned to his room. rolled him
self up In bed, and gone placidly 10
sleep! Wcll-he hadn't. He was Lyme
here awake Murchisons room was
just across the little hallway, and since
tropical partitions were known for their
exceeding thinness and contemptuous
denial of all sound-proof properties, he
Peter, as Murchison himself had
facetiously remarked. should be able
even to hear the other snore; certainly
in spite of the rain, he would be able
to hear any unusual sound in Murchi-
sons room--and he had heard nothing
Peter frowned heavily, as he stared
through the darkness. This was all
very we'll, but where did it lead-if
nothing happened tonight? Eventually
when some trader put in-not neces-
sarily the first one, by any means
Murchison would take his pearls
down to Sydney or Auckland and
dispose Of them; but in the mean
timc~-since he. Peter, Of a sudden
cally devolve upon him. Peter, to lie
definite period extending over possibly
several months!
Peter made wry face-and of a
sudden raised himself on his elbow
again. but this time with extreme eau
ton. He was facing the door, and he
stared in that direction. 1t was in
tensely black and he could not even
make out its outline. but is had seemed
to him that he had heard a faint me-
tallic rattle. as though the doorknob
were being stealthily turned Yes, he
was sure Of 1t now
Peters Jaws were suddenly clamped
So something was in the wind tonight!
He felt sort Of grim satisfaction in
the fact that he had not, as he had al
most argued himself into believing
made fool OF himself and he knew
a sudden cold and ruthless eagerness
now 10 get to grips with the. so far,
elusive owner of that pair OF eyes. who
in a somewhat sinister fashion. had in
it!ated whatever game ii was that. un-
doubtedly now. was TO be played out
tonight.
Peters hand slipped into his jacket
pocket and came out with his revolver
The door hadn't moved any: at least.
he did not think 1t had-but he couIdn' I
be sure. 1t was too dark TO see. And
there was not a sound now-save the
inceSant patter Of the rain on the roof.
He or they. or whoever 1t was at the
door, counted him asleep. of course
and were cautions and Stealthy In their
movements. Well. two could play at
that game!
He swung one foot out over the edge
Of the bed. raised himself silently inch
by inch into an upright position. and
then. in spite OF caution, the bed
creaked slightly-and on the instant. a
voice spoke. not from the doorway. but
from somewhere, 1t seemed. inside the
room~~or, perhaps. it vas from the
window
Don't move, or make q sound" said
the voice in cool, ugly tones, "or 1t Will
be the worse for you!"
But Peter obeyed neither the one in
junction nor the other. His brain was
working with lightning swiftneSs now.
In flash, he swung his body little