The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-08-13
. SERIAL STORY
Murder in Convoy
BY A. W. o'BRIEk
pyrEht. 1871. MA service. Inc

#HtAHaAHHAAHA -H"AAa a. r-r|
toe 10 toe. science gone to N.
wind Above the grosning Of the
big ships timbers came the thuds
of pounding fists and the muffled
gssps Of the fighting men.
A savage right 70 the heart
dropped Rollins TO one knee Milsy
stepped hack.
Let's call Il quits. Greg n.
painted. I didn't know YOU were
so sweet on the girl. or | would
have phrased myself a little more
delicately. You took wrong i'm
/ plication-I was wondering n she
was taking you into her confidence
or not, and thought I might over
hear something
Rollins rose slowly and sat on
the end of his bed. "C'mon, Miley,
there's no use to parry legal
thrusts now-out with it,"
Well, she has been reported
three times for being on deck after
Lights Out"
Nothing serious about that
suppose she just wanted some air"
Miley shrugged. Yes. that's
possible. But she has also been
seen on several occasions with
binoculars studying the Morse mes
sages sent ny light flashes from
the battle cruiser commanding the
convoy"
He paused but Rollins said
nothing.
And, finally. another nurse told
told me this Dsvaar girl has been
acting queerly. A stranger to all
Of them, she has kept to herself
for the most part. but what bits
Of conversation they get out Of
her at the table would indicate
that she knows very little about
nursing. You seem to be her sole
friend on board and q"
Rollins looked down at his
bleeding knuckles. And what? ?"
he asked in duh tones.
And had hoped that YOU
might be able to help me out.
have kept my suspicious from the
o. c. because they are admittedly
.shallow. but there is question
of duty. What l wanted to know
from you, Rollins. is whether she
has ever given you any hints as to
her background . Why she has
kept to herself . What she may
have seen during those jaunts on
deck . Where she came from o."
Rollins shook his head. Il can't
help you there. She never dis
cussed herself"
Miley seemed actually relieved.
He smiled and stuck out his hand.
This dirty job of investigating
was pushed on to me, Greg and
l. don't like it. Did we run into
couple of doors ,"
Rollins stood up and shook
hands. That's it-a couple Of
doors. You're off the track about
the girl though"
Il guess you're right. Just for
get the whole business. Milev
Strengthened his tunic and left the
cabin.
Rollins stood motionless. staring
at the door. There was a hard
CLINT in his eye. He had gone in
search of Miley to find out one
detail, and their strenuous session
together had given him the answer.
Rollins was apparently the only
person on board ship who had
seen the miniature light flashes
from "A deck last night. His
suspicion about a light being in
volved in the Tees murder was
apparently unshared by Miley or
anybody. The sentry who had re-
ported the light on that first night
had been left with the opinion
somebody had been snesking
smoke.
Rollins lighted ciearet and
inhaled deeply. He felt, as sure
as he was alive. that some person
aboard the ship was flashing a
/ light from "A" deck each night
about the same time and that he,
/ Rollins, was the only one who
had stumbled across the fact.
II he reported his opinion to
the o. c., they would likely hide
watchers on deck, and word
would get around that something
was up. The murderer might ne
warned thus running any posi-
bility of catching him
There was only one thing to do.
The next night would find him
/ hidden in a lifeboat close to that
busy spot on "A" deck Either
/ he'd get the murderer or the MUIR
derer would get him. This time
the game would be for keeps!
ITO Be Continued)
You helD Yourself when Won h,tx,