The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1942-04-03

test Tor AlakOa SlftS down, all the
original aspects Of the case are go
ing to have to be investigated with
the utmost thoroughness-and made
public. You understand that, ! sup
pose?"
Willard Wayne said with an UNI
necessary intensity, "Just what do
you mean by that?"
81 mean that it is very likely
even inevitable-that lot Of things
are going to be brought to light that
nobody's thought about for a long
time. Isn't that so?"
Don't know what you're driving
at" Ernest mumbled.
''How well, for instance" Dick
Wayne asked them, "do you think
that you knew James Wagner"
''We've worked with him all our
lives" willard said impatiently.
"And yet, did it ever occur to you
he might know some things you new
.er suspected at ALT"
''Nonsensei"
"For example," Dick went on. his
voice lazy, stake the exact circum-
stances under which old Garrett
Waterson left here-just at the time
the Waynes bought this island"
"That has nothing 10 do with it,"
Ernest declared. "The entire trans
action was closed before Garrett
acknowledgement"
''This disappearance" Dick prod
.ded them; ''the tradition has been
that he set sail southwest, In his
own schooner, and was never seen
again-wasn't that it?"
"Well? Can we be expected to
account for"
Didn't you happen, to know"
Dick Wayne asked them, ''tfiat when
Garrett Waterson sailed, our father
was with hfn?"
They were not looking ut him
now: but their eyes were fixed upon
each other, and an unspoken ques-
ton passed between them.
Tonga Dick leaned forward, his
face hardening. "The old rumor 10
that Garrett Waterson must have
been lost at sea-" he bore down on
them. "And yet-and yet, our ia
Their came back"
Dick saw Willard Wayne's heavy
neck redden; the color rose and rose
until Willard's eyes, no longer slow
and mild, stared blealxly out Of q
purple congestion. Ernest, howev-
.er, turned a siclkly green, and be-
hind his glasses his eyes could not
be seen.
Dicks own eyes turned ugly. $50
you did know that?" he said.
you've known 1t for a long time,
haven't your"
.'Stop." said Willard Wayne thick
ly. "You don't know what you're
saying!"
II take it," Dick said, shat /
was not supposed to know about that
little circumstance"
your tone," he clustered. 81 object
to the whole line you've taken. It
isn't up to us to 60 ralking through
the dead ashes Of the pastl"
you've told me what ! wanted
to know" Dick said. "You put me
in mind Of q couple of tide pools
full Of octopi--easy to see to the
bottom Of, but not pretty to look at.
I can understand now why James
Wayne never trusted either one Of
youi"
'sWhat- what" The edge Of Err
nest Wayne's voice sounded frayed
out, raveled. ''What do you meant"
he finally got out.
'sHow long," Tonga Dick asked
them, "have you two supposed your
selves to be the sons Of q murder
er?''
Ernest Wayne stood up violently,
both hands gripping the edge Of the
desk. ''That's q LEI" he shouted.
Willard Wayne sat motionless.
''Wellf" he said at last.
II don't wonder that John Colt
scares you out Of your Wits" Dick
said. II should think he would"
There was q silence then, raw
and uncomfortable. Willard Wayne
spoke to Ernest, his voice heavy and
dead. ''You see, ] was right. We
have to 60 back to Honolulu-at once
-tOuO1EOW. sumo way somehow
we've got to settle out Of court with
John Colt, at any cost"
Eyes, Ernest said.
Dick could see the man visibly
twisted between q cupidity that |
could not face loss and cowardice
which was afraid Of something else.
It was not pretty sight.
.You won't have to 60 to Honolu-
lu." Dick said sardonically; 'syou
can save yourselves the trip. John
Colt win be here within twenty-four
hours"
"Colt? Here7 What could make
him come here?"
II make him come here" Tonga
Dick said.