Evening star., 1940-06-01
CHAPTER x.

His attacker escapes and Phil in i'm
mediately under suspicion.
CHAPTER x.
The Ventura's brig was a cramped
room in the hold. It had solid bulk
heads, an iron cell door and a
musty atmosphere laced with en-
gine fumes an da stagnant odor of
bilge water.
Phil sat on the iron bunk, smoked
and stared into the gloom. He had
been full of rage at first, but now he
was experiencing cold and grip
ping fear.
He was facing a charge of mur-
der.
Nordstrom, the Ventura's COM
mander, believed he had thrown
Boris Gregori overheard. He had re-
fused to listen to Phils protests of
innocence. He had shown the Skep-
ticism of an unimaginative person
when Phil tried to tell him of the
intrigue that was going on right
under his nose.
Morning came after what seemed
an eternity. Phil was aware of it
only because a seaman brought him
breakfast. The man, husky blond
Scandinavian, evidently had orders
to avoid conversation with the pris-
oner. Phil could not get him to say
q word.
But when he returned half an
hour later for the empty dishes,
Phil put some money on the tray.
He said:
Tell Mr.. Cavanaugh I want to
see him."
The sailor stared at him, then
turned wordlessly away.
Bert Cavanaugh came below at
II o'clock by Phils watch. He
leaned against the bars of the door,
a family mocking smile on the lips.
You wanted to see me, Law
rence?"
Yes ;" Phil went and stood
at the door, Listen, Cavanaugh,
you're plenty smart. And despite
what rumor says about you, think
you're on the level"
Changed your tune now, haven't
you?'
Sure. I'm on spot. That fool of
a Nordstrom is going to hand me
over to the police for murder"
Maybe you want to bargain now.
You hand over the envelope q.
and get you out of here"
I'll tell you what happened to the
letter" Phil said. "Right?"
Cavanaugh nodded. But you've
got to give it to me straight"
Gives Cavanaugh Facts.
"That night at the police sta
ton" Phil said, Babs Martin did
put the envelope in my pocket
saw her do it. But when I got
outside Of the place it wasn't in
my pocket. I was as puzzled as
anybody. kept trying to figure
out what had become of the thing.
I knew that it would turn up if it
had fallen from my coat pocket to
the floor of the police station. But
1t didn't turn up, so it hadn't fallen,
There was only one thing that could
have happened . . and I finally
guessed what that was. I saw an
other prisoner that night-Eddie
Shane, pickpocket :"
And Shane is aboard the Ven
tura," Cavanaugh said.
"Yes. I came to the ship sailing
night to get the envelope from him.
I meant to arrange a meeting with
you and Nedya. :. But then Nedya
had to leave the country because
Of the police"
Which," said Cavanaugh dryly,
was my doings. Go on, old man"
when finally talked to Eddie
Shane" Phil said, "last night lust
before the submarine scare, he told
me he no longer had the envelope.
Some one had searched his state
room and taken it,"
Cavanaugh muttered curse.
"Count Raedton?" he said.
Il don't know Maybe 1t was
Raedton," Phil replied. That's for
you to find out"
II don't think it was Raedton,"
Cavanaugh said thoughtfully. But
I'll find out. =. Yes, I'll find out"
Cavanaugh is Worried.
1t was late afternoon when
Cavanaugh returned His darkly
handsome face looked worried, his
shrewd black eyes seemed puzzled.
Phil pressed eagerly against the
bars of the door.
Did you find anything, Cava-
naugh?"
The man shook his head. "I
always prided myself on being
swell amateur criminologist, h. said
But this one has me stumped. I've
talked to everybody on this tub.
I've pried into every hole {.
There's nothing"
Fear went through Phil like an
Icy breath. But the man who
fought with Gregori is aboard,
Cavanaugh!"
Sure" came the reply And
that man must be Count Raedton.
He had score to pay off to Gre
gori. &. .. But Raedton has a perfect
alibi."
What sort of an alibi?"
"Your girl friend, Nedya, says he
entered the lounge less than a min
ute after you went in search of
him" Cavanaugh said. He smiled
mockingly. And since Nedya is in
love with you she wouldn't lie to
hurt you"
Phil turned away and sank down
on the bunk. Fear and despair was
a lump in his throat. He said, mo,
Nedya wouldn't lie."
And Cavanaugh said, "I didn't get
q line on that envelope either. Are
you sure you told me the truth
about it, Lawrence?"
'Yes. of course. I don't give a