Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-25


tor Wade's mind that the man
was Capt Aikness, and, for a
moment, he was on the point
of returning to the ship. Then
he realized that, If he did so, he would
hear a repetition of the lie that Capt.
Aikness was not on board. Besides, he
had no authority to search the vessel.
What connection had AiknesS with
the Mecca? he asked himself Was
Lila Smith the only interest that
Mum" Oaks and the skipper Of tn,
Seal of Troy had in common?
Go downstream for half mile;
then turn up again, he instructed his
sergeant. when you come up, go as
near as possible to the Seal OF Troy"
The launch passed the ship slowly;
1t was moving against heavy tide.
Once clear, 1t turned to cross the river.
Wade took up a pair of glasses and
scrutinized the portfolios. He thought
he saw a face appear at one Of them,
but he might have been mistaken.
Make for Favy Stairs" he ordered.
The launch heeled over as the tide
swung the stern downstream.
Smack!
Something hit the top of the little
cabin, smashing glass and ripping
Z strut of the wooden frame to SplinterS.
WHdL ILlae' oAAouVC~ 0AAS S'e'A'ANN
sergeant.
Go right ahead" commanded Wade.
What was it, Mr.. Wade? Are you
hurt?"
wade had pitched forward on his
knees.
"a crazy seagull, dear lad. Don't
ask silly questions AS for me-Im
dead. Wait till the inquest before you
speak again!
AS the launch reached a floating sta
ton Wade said: when go ashore, I'll
pretend that I'm injured-that's propa-
ganda I'm sure the shot came from
the ship, and I want them to think
that was hit"
Half an hour later three officials from
Scotland Yard called on Wade in the
cabin of the launch.
1T may have been some rat laying
for you, Wade" said the chief.
Rats do not carry rtf1es-they're
too hard to conceal" said Wade.
The chief nodded.
IF you searched the ship you'd find
nothing, and you'd probably lose a lot.
They expect search, and they've got
alibis ready. What do you suggest?"
send a couple of officers down the
river to find out whether any one heard
a rifle shot," said Wade. Send them
there. Let 'em visit every ship, barge
and wharf I don't think 1t would be
a bad idea if hint were dropped that
I am badly hurt A few bandageS, a
sling, and a motor ambulance Is indi-
Gated"
They worked very late that night on
the Seal of Troy. In the confusion
of loading a grimy laborer climbed up
the monkey ladder and reached the
deck without attracting attention. Even
the dark-faced officer did not notice his
appearance. The man kept to the
shadows, and was an interested iudi-
ence, for river laborers will talk.
IS. Couple of river coppers came
here, wanted to know who'd been
Harry"
NO" retorted some unseen cynic
"The police are always pretendin' some
things happenin' on the river. They
just made it up"
They've been to every ship. They
say Wade has croakedi"
The listener smiled to himself and
quietly made his way about the ship
until he found himself in a passage
outside the officers dining saloon. The
port and Starboard doors were closed
He tried one door and found it locked
He passed to the other-locked, too.
AS he released the handle he had a
sense OF danger, and sank down behind
the cover afforded by turn of the
companionway. He had hardly done SO
before the door was jerked open and q
man came out. He wore the uniform
Of ships officer and Wade recognized
him as the companion of the man who
had been attacked by the mysterious
Anna.
The man peered out, and then said
70 somebody within: mo one here,
captain"
A deep voice said, Look carefully,
Lane, I saw the handle turn"
Wade grinned to himself. That voice
was the voice of the man who, accord
ing to Mum" Oaks, was Lila's father.
The man whom he called Lane walked
few steps down the passageway and
then returned to the dining saloon.
I'll ring for the steward and tell him
70 guard the passage against intruders,"
Wade heard him say.
Wade darted from his place of con-
cealment and up the companionway.
He heard the clang of the ships bell
and saw a man standing at the head
Of the companionway ladder. "I'll call
Mr.. Lane" he heard the man say as
he dispatched a sailor below. will
you wait bit?"
Evidently some one wanted to come
aboard. When Lane appeared he leaned
over the rail and hailed the person
below.
Come up, sir" he said. "The cap
tain will receive you"
Wade, crouching in the shadows,
caught glimpse of the visitor as he
came over the side. Lord Siniford!
I'm sorry to bother you, my dear
fellow" said Siniford, TREMENDOUSLY
but it's most important, must see
the captain"
The two men went below, and Wade
followed after moment.
What business could have brought
Lord Siniford to this ship, except the
urgent business of Anna and that
assault of the night before? His garage
had been watched all day, but his car
had not been taken out and he had