The future outlook., 1942-07-18
SYNOPSIS

On a wharf In Patuxtown. Mary
land, ex-Coionei Donald Colby
late Ado. to General Gonraie
Gutierrez. beats up Tod Ferguson
buriy oystcrman. for insulting Ge'
neva Benet, daughter Of Capt. Be
net of the "AmeTika." Ferguson
was fred by Benet and infers some
one was murdered on the ship
Later. Geneva eonhdes In Colby
that shc had brought two men from
Lsonardtown to work Tor her Ia
ther. "They were afraid to stay
but you wouldn't be, she says. n
new look ereeps into Colbys eyes.
Young lady" he demanded crisply.
-shali we taik1" Geneva tells Col
by that her father Is In charge OF a
fleet of old liners laid up by the
Shipping Board awaiting purehas-
ers. II Is impossible TO get watch
man since three men have disap-
peared. Colby takes tho job. On
the pier, the girl calls to the Mon
tiesilo" on which she lives with her
father. The ghostlike ships and
eery atmosphere fill Colby with
foreboding. Dutton, one OF the
watchmen. picks up Geneva and
Colby in a rowboat. AS they near
the "as ontieelIo." three shots and a
shriek pierce the air. The girl fears
for her father. Leaving Geneva on
the Monticello" Colby and pnt-
ton go In search Of the captain.
CHAPTER v
Il WAS across passenger
gangplank lashed from the rail OF
one great liner 10 the rail OF the
next that tho two CROPPED their way
through n chilly gloom that smelt
of rust, rats, rotten wood and bug,
water. Somewhere bittern uttered
It's grating croak and when some
rats, nesting in llfeboat just over.
head, fell 70 fighting with shrill and
vicious squeals, tiny cold impulse
sped the length OF the recruits
? spine. -,
To Donald Colby. very familiar
with the kronprinFcssia Coeelie, II
was indescribhbly weird to once
more tread these decks which he
had heard echo 10 the dainty feet
, of brides, OF countcsses, and OF
courtesana. Odd, that he should
have seen these same dec Ks raspcd
and SCARED by the hobnails OF
American doughboys.' Now the
planks were warped and weather
beaten and lengths Of hose laid out
ns protection against FIRE erawlcd
everywhere like pale scrpents oil
impossible length
sThs Esiset WlAs.~ ard he hraap''7'
sssaA cseelis rsshriaisr ah9
Mesns IsrnoA psrSei as 4 rstf~ tra v
po,4s In isi7-ioip.
"That yell sounded like maybe II
came from forrad," Dutton whis-
pered, so they cautiously made their
way up tho broad deserted deck
towards the Mount Ver7i0n's bow.
Look outl" screamed inner
voices in Colby's brain. "Thero's
danger here" =,
Bitterly the cI-soldier cursed
that muiiling fog while scanning
every shadow, every corner Of the
palm garden through which they
passed. A definitely nerve rack
ing business, that Of stalking nm un-
known menace through the dark.
It was therefore not the least sur
prising that Colby halted MS though
paralyzcd when n voice from the
shadows snapped. "Put EN- up!"
Grown wise with tho passage OF
turbulent years, Donald Colby
knew better than TO try for Smith
II Wesson showdown" He obeyed
immediately. Dutton. however, ut
tered nervous little cry.
"Eey, lay of, Ike-this guy Is the
new watehman."
What" Impressively incredu-
Ious was he among the shadows.
where How 7" =,
"Yeh-pu. that damn gun away"
"Stand still,' snapped the man
called Ike-"I amt trusting you
Duttop-you walk too blamed quiet
suit me-" :,
"What're you doin' on the Yer
nonF" countcred the swarthy man
Mt Colby's side. you're supposed
10 be on the America"
Heard them shots Seen the
Copper anywhcres
mo. We was lookin' for him our
selves"
.Was your" Colby was puzzled
at the strangers manifestly sus'
picious tone.
"Yes. Com'on out--thls Is Colby
meet Ike Menrs."
From the gloom beneath ihdde'