The Ely miner., 1930-05-09

"HSh tic SAiS SSStl oS eSuS.
been absent a great deal had been
said. Crosby Todd had a quiet OBJ
stinacs about him which would. by its
very persistence, influence the two
who looked 20 him for leadership.
He found that the unOccupied maids
quarters had been turned into sit
ting room for common use. The two
boys had berthed forward in Elgar
Railways staterooms. Alone of the
four, Mrs. Railway gave him friend
ly greeting. But there was a new look
of anxiety on her face which he did
not like to see.
Doctor Waite" she began, 81 have
told them about the ransom"
"There were some things we all had
to understand" Todd remarked.
"Just what did you tell?" Betting
ton demanded.
Enough to make us want to ask
few leading questions" 1t seemed
that Crosby Todd was constituted
spokesman. They're questions you've
got to answer"
Got to answer?" Bettington re-
torted. He knew it was absurd to
take offence at this obstinate, we'll
estly. but he flushed with annoyance
nevertheless.
There was a certain air of triumph
about Crosby Todd.
81 told you he wouldn't answer"
I'm ready to answer anything you
want to know" Bettington said quick
ly, addressing himself to Mrs. Rad.
way.
Its simply this she began, with a
little hesitation. "Mr. Todd has an
idea that you knew Of this plan to
hold my husband to ransom long be-
fore Clements informed me of it.
assured him that | was absolutely
certain you suspected nothing until |
myself told you" She looked at him
with a sort of wistful eagerness.
"Please tell him he is wrong"
Bettington groaned. Ii he answered
he would be forced to admit a
damning truth or embark once again
on the hateful task of lying TO the
woman he loved His philosophy of
life was not complex one. To him
falsehood was an evidence of fear, a
confession that something was ter
rorizing him. He decided there had
been enough of evasion.
"Todd is right" he said. not sparing
himself. ~ did know OF it, but | dared
not take anyone into my confidence.
Consider the situation and you will
agree with me- | was the only man
who knew. There were at least three
weeks to elapse before any danger
threatened and by that time should
have worked out some scheme to
save you"
"You might have trusted me-" Mrs.
Radway said. Il gave you my con-
tidence."
''What plans do you mean?" Todd
demanded. He had the air of one who
sits on q magisteria bench.
Bettington paid no heed to him.
He wanted. more than anything else,
to assure Evelyn Railway that he had
been dealing fairly with her.
81 wanted to trus. you,' he said
earnestly, 'but there were SO many
better reasons against it. You did not
know. for instance, tina, Clements had
arranged dictagraphs in various parts
of the yacht was beset with dan
gers. was being spied upon. | could
never be certain that they believed
in me-"
"Why should they believe you II you
were against them?" This from the
inexOrable Todd.
Bettington experienced a sense of
WEAKNESS and futility Was II of any
advantage, he wondered, to recount
by what unbelievable ways he had
been brought TO the AibatrOss? Three
of the four would think he lied; per.
haps the fourth might wish she could
believe.
"If told you." he said. you would
hardly credit II. | have no time now
for pickering and cross s-examination.
YOu will discover the fr th later For