Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1930-02-21
CHAPTER V-Continued


When the Boss bent his eyes on
Metzger, the engineer leaned back in
his chair and sunk his yellow teeth
in the cigar. Metzger had sworn to
unmask the riddle he was compelled
to call the Boss, the man who had
tapped him on the shoulder, disclosed
his power and commanded him to be-
come the engineer of the Albatross.
Metzger was sitting in the corner Of
West street saloon not far from Fulton
street. He had more money in his pocket
than his appearance indicated and was
afraid to spend it. He was wonder
ing to what town he should go and
dissipate it. 1t must be some town
where he could be sure Of not meeting
certain detectives who had their sus-
picions concerning him.
The entrance of a stranger, small,
smiling, well-dressed man, put an end
to speculation. The stranger had
whispered in his ear certain charges
against a man whose name was GER
tainly not Metzger. Yet the man, who
had engineers papers calling him
Metzger dared not deny. He rose.
followed the stranger and was now
engineer. And that promised holiday
was still afar off, and the gold its
avoidance had saved was still in his
money belt.
This is our chief engineer, Her
man Metzger. Metzger is not his
name. There was a Herman Metzger,
but his life went out as knife went
in, at Macau, where the Portuguese
opium dives are. It was our engi-
neer's hour. He killed a man, took
his woman and became a chief en-
gineer all in the same evening. This
fondness for women may yet be his
undoing.
Next. Mr.. Leary commands your at
tention, Doctor. When l suggested
that he should accompany US as first
officer he refused. Then I spoke of
the sad wreck of the Pendennis on the
Manacles. when so many were lost.
Without a word. Leary reconsidered
the situation. AS a murderer we must
reckon Mr.. Leary in the wholesale
way of business"
Learys confusion was not due to
any heart pangs over the ship he had
cast away for a share of the insur-
ance money. 1t was inarticulate rage
that he dared not beat into pulp the
smiling face and still that sneering
voice for ever.
Leary pointed to Bettington. At any
rate. he was not afraid of Bettington.
whats the idea of letting him in
on all this?"
Metzger nodded vehement approval.
Its putting a weapon in his hand"
said Metzger.
HE, too, has his history" said the
Boss. Gentlemen, this is the cele-
brated Andrew Orme, once of Yale
and later of San Quentin. You have
done murder; so has he. His use here
on board is a double one. First, as
ships surgeon and, second, as a forger
of first rank
Metzger looked at him with respect.
He remembered the trial years back.
No wonder he looked coldly on COM
monplace crooks like Sam. In all
things Metzger liked class.
Bettington was vastly relieved that
the mistake in his identity remained
undiscovered. This interview had ban
ished for ever the hope that the Boss
was insane and had begun an adven-
ture which would end in failure. AS
suredly these three men were not to
fail because of lack of brute courage.
And there were others whom he had
not vet met, subordinates of these
three who would stand or fall with
them. He was wondering if the tasks
demanded Of him might not yet betray
him as an imposter, when the Boss
raped on the table.
"The main reason why we are here
tonight" he said, sis to correct GER
tain impressions which are held by
some Of my men. You, Leary, were
gratified that / allowed you to take
one of the guest rooms from Bar Har-
Dor to New York. Mr.. Hallett was
scandalized, but knows better than to
try conclusions with me. The same
thing applies to you, Metzger. You
used the room the doctor has now
Metzger looked at Leary. What did
the Boss mean? They were already
in their usual quarters.
you probably were not aware that
those rooms were planned by a for