Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1934-09-07
CHAPTER l

pain in his head, of rolling motion
and sea air.
The darkness, at first impenetrable
shaded sufficiently for him to real
ize that he was lying on bed-fully
clothed-and apparently alone in {
box-like stateroom. The pelting rain
the rumble of thunder and wind, the
pitching and tossing lurches, gave
evidence of violent storm at sea.
There was another crash, followed
by resounding bump. The bed seem
ed to have jerked loose from its floor
hooks. Chaplin CROPPED about for q
light button and found one. A ceiling
light illuminated the stateroom, and
he was amazed to see that it was some
what luXuriously furnished and larger
than he had imagined.
He wondered, dismally, what force
of circumstances had brought him on
board this boat, and what kind of a
boat it was? Made an effort to recall
what had transpired in his last con-
scious moments. His head throbbed
miserably, and he lay back on the pill
lows. Scenes in night club drifted
dizzily into his vision. The Romano
Plaza! He had gone there with a chap
from Philadelphia business ac-
quaintance-after the theatre. They
had had two drinks apiece, when the
police had raided the place. He re-
called, wildly, a man at the next table
who had swung u chair drunkenly,
with the avowed intention of hurting
it at an officer. The chair, he de-
cided, had probably struck him on the
head. He could remember nothing
further.
This incident, however, in no way
accounted for his present surround
ings.
Taylor Chaplin, was young man
in his late twenties, blond, affable,
well-known and popular in advertising
art circles. He was Art Editor of the
Giant Weekly Magazine. He thought
that he had no enemies. At least,
none who would be likely to push him
off on boat, after crack over the
head in a night club.
He sat up and removed tuxedo jack
ct and vest. The bed slid across the
floor with downward dip of the boat.
A faint sense of nausea caused his
aching head to whirl dizzily. He
slumped back on the pillows.
After an interval, his mind cleared
again, and he decided to investigate.
He stood up and moved stumblingly
about the room. Pulled out the
drawers of the dressing table, desk
and table. They were empty. Exam
ined the modernly equipped bathroom,
and found nothing in the way of iden-
LITIGATION except towels, with the word
CARMEN embroidered in red letters.
From these, he gained the impression
that he was shanghaied on board a
private yacht. So far as he knew,
none of his friends, or acquaintance,
owned yacht. He pondered over the
idea that he had been mistaken for
someone else, and jerked open the
door of the stateroom. At least, he
was not locked in.
The cold wind and the swirling rain
made him pause. Angry, black waves
dashed against the side of the ship.
Foaming spray shot over the railing
and plunged onto the deck. Chaplin
closed the door, reluctantly. He would
wait for daylight to explore further.
In turning, he discovered mar
row door opposite, and pulled it open.
A long, oblong closet was disclosed,
and in the bottom of the closet was a
black, leather suitcase. He yanked it
out, and laid it on the bed. It was
heavy. A white tag fluttered from
the handle. There was a name print
ed on the tag. He sat down on the
bed beside the suitcase-rubbed his
head-and stared at the name-his
own in utter bewilderment. Then
clumsily, fearfully, he pressed the
catch, and flung the top back. Bewil-
derment increased. The case was fill
ed with neatly packed clothing and
other accessories.
He picked out shirt. 1t was new
and it had his initials in the neckband
He took out a gray tweed coat anc
tried it on. Looked in the mirror anc
saw that it fitted as though made fol-
him. No-he decided, quickly, he was
not the victim of mistaken identity
Whoever had wanted to shanghai hin
had made elaborate preparations. HI
threw the coat and shirt back int
the suitcase, bumped it onto the floor
L 4 81 =.