Evening star., 1939-04-16
IF FovIkes Boy i. bv.i-
ness Of yours you'll
deal with mel" he said

stepped from shower or come up from swil
No paint or powder. but brimming glow
health under her tan. She spoke in hal
whisper: Il don't know why you are here, M
Rexford - it doesn't really matter you arenI !
safe. Watch your step every minute. Anothe|
came before you. He's dead!' She started to 81
civilians - Benedict Williams: Just whi
happened to him, Miss Brisben?"
Il can't say more, but please be careful
Oh, pease!" She ducked inside
Rexford studied her words as he finished n
morning smoke Apparently she wasn't playir
along with the rest of them whatever the gan !
was. Something rotten here.
On the third morning, with Rrisben and 81
on the far side of the island, Rexford took on
of the boats at the jetty and rowed across II
channel to Faulkes Bay. Wandering about II
dilapidated settlement. he presently started
toward the mountains lie was conscious
being followed, but appearedtopay no attentio
From an eminence back of town he studii
the island of Malta, using small pair
modern distance lenses. He could see the d.
shadow of Harlot Reef, now close to the ST
face in the tides ebb. 1t lay somewhere to Il
left of straight line drawn from the southe
mouth of the passage to the Malta light II
glass then fixed on bare hill on the island,
short walk directly inshore from the light an
about the same height.
Presently he smiled to note Brsben and hII
son coming across the passage, both rowing al
if in a hurry. Later. rambling about the slope
he tricked native who had been shadowind
him, caught him. and demanded the reason fol
the persistent interest.
$50 you no get los. This was all the kal1
would say.
The old man was now painting up the sloptl
toward them. Eve want no more of this
trapesin' off alone no more, say
"All right" Rexford laughed. Il thought \
wouldn't call you from your work"
rs that it It's many day S work Id miss
tryin to explain what happened to ye,'
He scolded bitterly and at length on the way
back A pound would be none too much. ne
said, for this interruption in his days affairs.
After that Rexford confined his rambles to
the island. followed for the most part by young
Peter or one of the two old natives III service
at the house Sometimes the dog. Benny. ranged
after him. but never at his heels. Tirelessly one
afternoon Rexlord tried to win over the old
collie but patience and endless good nature
could not break down the baneful resistance of
the beast.
Nearly every morning. after the first lev,
days, Rexford and the GIRL Dorothy, went dow1|
to the little sandy patch OF beach below th'I
island jetty for swim. She was good company
They laughed and talked of many things, bu
Rexford learned, after the first morning, whe
she had abruptly left him. that he must nc
question her about her father. or the dis |
appearance of Williams.
Once or twice he caught her regarding hin1
strangely, a mysterious look in her dark eyes
He wondered afterward, but refrained eacl|
time from inquiring about her thoughts. At time
she was silent then again she would be full o
questions regarding the States. There was nc
reference again in words of hers to any dangerl
but more than once he saw fear in her eyes. n
The next to last morning of his stay q
Malta, with the old man gone across
Faulkes Bay, Rexford evinced sudden interes
in the exterior of certain warehouses, an /
finally in the Malta light. The lower door
the tower was unlocked, but as he attempted
enter young Peter ran out from some conces
ment in clump of trees.
mot allowed! No one allowed!' The b
was breathless with fear. But Rexford CO
tinued up the iron stairs.