Evening star., 1939-03-12

the rail. Matthew braced himself. But Brown
ing did not stagger out.
A dripping officer reported to the Captain:
'Other boat got him. sir, but hear he's dead
as a doornail. They've taken him along to the
hospital, and the doctors with him. May get
him round, of course"
"All right the Captain said. "You can
carry on, Mr.. Perks
The business of the ship was resumed. Dead
as doornail? They might get him round?
Matthews legs would not support him any
more, and he sat down on the planks.
The Captain wants to see you, MIR. Pratt.
This way"
Matthew followed like somnambust. The
cabin was a dazzling white box Silver and
brass glittered. The Captain sat behind his
desk. He had put on kimono embroidered
with golden dragon. The robe made him look
like menacing idol, for he was great bull of a
man, heavy and gross, with thick lips and great
hairy paws. Matthew had not spoken to him
before. The Captain was not the kind he under
stood, or who would understand him.
''Sit down." he said curtly. well, what
happened?"
A knock at the door gave respite.
"Yes?"
An iron-gray man stood in the frame of the
door and reported: mo go, sir. He's dead.
May have been his heart. Not so much water
in him. But man his weight might have had
wonky heart. Anyway, can't do any more"
"All right doc, thanks" the Captain said,
dsmissing him with nod.
Matthews mind had been jolted into activ
ity. Browning was dead and nothing could
change that. How hopeless to start and explain
it was all an accident the man had brought on
himself by his insult to Annabelle and his be-
havior afterwards.
"And now, Mr.. Pratt?"
I'm afraid can't help you much, sir. I'd
come up to the top deck for breath of air
before turning in. was just walking along
when saw Browning jump up on the rail -
and - and throw himself over. ran to the
bridge straight away. That's all l know"
Il see." The Captain tapped with a paper
knife. Dark up there. How did you know it
was Mr.. Browning?"
Matthew hesitated. mo, there was some
light from lamp just at that point, he has
tened to explain. Il placed him because he was
such giant the biggest of all the passengers"
Il see. Chose place where there was a
light didn't say anything, didn't leave any
thing behind, didn't see you, and just hoped
over the side"
Eyes, sir"
Queer! Didn't seem the type. Queer, too,
that you should happen to be the one who saw
him, Mr.. Pratt" The man on whom the dragon
crawled leaned ominously across the desk.
Because you and he had violent difference
of opinion in the smoke room earlier in the eve
ming, didn't you?"
Matthew looked startled.
"Oh, heard about it. The master of ship
must know what going on Over Miss Mathie-
son, eh? He'd had few drinks, and as he
passed behind her chair he kissed her on the
back of the neck AS friend of hers you were
naturally very angry?"
Angry! How explain to that bull of man
that Annabelle Mathieson was not mere girl,
but kind of goddess? How make him realize
that it was miracle she should be in the same
ship and going to Cairo to teach in school -
which meant they'd be able to meet when he
came in from the desert. How convey that she
was more precious than all the wealth of all
the tombs of Egypt?
Ae y,,offar of fart yo, opJ che h,,,a