Evening star., 1940-05-29

me YOU. word not to start any
thing?"
Phil jerked his head in agree
ment. Cavanaugh quickly freed him
and permitted him to sit up. Phil
rubbed his wrists; they were stiff
and aching. He reached up. and
found small bandage on his left
temple. He took the cigarette Cav
anaugh offered him and lighted 1t.
The man shrugged his wide shoul-
ders. His dark, handsome face was
stern mask.
"You asked for this" he said.
And you got 1t. You should have
known better than to fool with me-"
What do you mean?"
This: You fell for Nedya Vardin.
You were helping her get away.
You intended to give her that en-
velope. Lucky for me that I had
some men shadowing you"
80 you double-crossed her, Cav
anaugh?"
That's my business" Cavanaugh
said. Il use any method to reach
my objective"
Even to shanghaiing me?" Phil
said. DO you really think you
can get away with it?"
II am getting away with it," came
the SNUG retort. Il hold all the
winning cards. Every person in
volved in the disappearance Of that
envelope is aboard this ship-and
I've crossed the skipper's hand with
gold"
Nedya Is Aboard.
''Is Nedya aboard?"
Yeah. And Babs Martin. And
Count Raedton. And you. Law
renee. Before the Ventura makes
port somebody is going to hand
over that envelope"
"And If 1t isn't aboard?"
Cavanaugh grinned crookedly.
That's all right, too. One of you
four know where it is. A radio to
shore will permit my associates to
pick it up"
How do you expect to make the
person talk?" Phil demanded.
watch and see. Cavanaugh
said. He rose and turned to the
door. Then, turning back: You'll
be treated like any other passenger
if you watch your step. If you get
tough I'll give you another hypo-
dermic of dope like the one that
kept you sleeping for the last IL
hours"
Are we IL hours at sea?"
Right. And don't think you can
swim back"
II wouldn't think Of 1t, Cava-
naugh. I'm beginning to enjoy
this"
Cavanaugh went out and relocked
the door from the outside. Shortly
he returned with tray Of food. He
remained in the stateroom while
Phil ate, silently smoking. When
Phil was finished he said:
Want to hand over the envelope
now, old man?"
Phil looked at him squarely and
said. Il haven't got it, Cavanaugh-
yet"
We'll, take your time. We've got
lots of It,"
What makes this envelope so i'm
| portant?"
An interval Of silence came while
Cavanaugh smoked and specu-
latively eyed Phil. Finally he said,
Maybe I should have confided In
you long ago, Lawrence. That en-.
velope contains document which
is definite proof Of the biggest in
ternational double cross in history"
Phil Won't Believe.
Phil gave a skeptical laugh. go
on" he said. Its a good story"
Kept secret" Cavanaugh went
on, Its certain to spread war over
most of the world within two years
Broadcast to the world, therell be
a clamor of indignation that viii
make the double-cross burst like q
bubble. It's that big, Lawrence"
Il don't think I fall for your
story, Cavanaugh."
The mans face hardened. All
right-dont."
He rose and crossed to the door.
Then he paused and said, you are
on the passenger list, Lawrence.
You're not a prisoner. You can
have the run of the ship-except
that you may not send any radio
messages!"
Thanks" Phil said. do you
think you'll catch me showing my
hand?"
Il never overlook bet," Cava-
naugh said, and went out.
1t was late afternoon when Phil
went on deck. He was surprised to
find it deserted except for sailors.
The Ventura was far from being a
luxury liner; it was a freighter with
accommodations for about two dozen
passengers. He started out to make
a circuit Of the deck and on the
portside he met Eddie Shane.
The little crooks face showed sur
prise. "Chee, Mr.. Lawrence, I didn't
know you were aboard"
Phil said quickly, Keep away
from me, Eddie. There's somebody
watching -. detective, I think