The Argosy, June 1904 — page 15: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE FOOL'S POCKET. “What!” gasped Lynn. “That he is a smuggler? Nonsense, Miss Haw- ley! Sue h an idea never entered my mind.” He spoke the more warmly because, in his seeret soul, he would not have been so greatly surprised did the bust- ness of the Susannah prove to be some- thing not exactly honorable. Morgan, he had heard Jackson Hawlev himself say, had sailed one trip in the bark. There must have been some foundation for the fellow’s tirade against the Peb- bleton magnate. “No,” he went on. “ But in my own mind I had decided that this Captain Englebock had something to do with this mystery. His coming here at stated periods “Tt is true,” the girl hastened to say “ Of course, we do not usually care to discuss our private matters. That is why people are so foolish. What they cannot understand they think must be wrong. Captam Englebock, as I un- derstand it, comes from Mr. Preston shaw—-—” “ Comes from him?” repeated Lynn. She hesitated. “Tf he is still alive,” she finally said. “Or, if he is not, he comes from who- ever carries on the business.” “But your grandfather is dead, vou say. Who else could there be to man- age Mr. Preston Shaw’s affairs?” < NoW you eet beyond my depth, Mr. Shepard,” she returned with a Litile snule. “I told you L could not tell you much that you wish to know.’ There was a step on the gravel be- hind them. ‘hey had heen st: nding by the corner of the shed, and were so deeply interested in their conversation that neither had noticed the approach of a figure along the path. Now a voice startled them. “Perhaps, Miss Bert’a, J could tell de gentleman what he would wish to know, eh?” Lynn swung about as the young wo- man uttered a little cry. Captain Kn- glebock stood beside them. 2) “De efening grows damp, Muss Bert’a,” said the man quietly. “ Shall LT escort you to de house? If not, I will remain and explain to Mr —Mr.—I did not catch de name? J will explain to PRODUCED BY UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED 501 him that which he is so curious to know, eh?” Miss Hawley drew back, but hesitated to go. Lynn was speechless, for the man’s voice and manner were com- manding. “Your father awaits you, Bert’a,” Tnglebock said again. “ [He sent ime to find you. J can assure you that your friend will not be lonesome. He will favor me with his name again?” and the captain bowed to the American. “Tt is Mr. Lynn,” declared the girl faintly. “Mr. Lynn Shepard,” completed the young man firmly. “I shall be happy to talk with you, Captain Englebock.” “Ahi” exclaimed the captain. “Shepard! I suspected it. I am in- deed come opportunely. | Will you walk wit? me, Mr. Shepard ?’ He iurned abruptly, as though the girl had already gone. Lynn hesitated, looking at Miss Hawley. But he couli not see her face in the dusk. Almost imstantly, too, she turned back toward the house, and there was nothing left for Lynn to do but to ac- cept Ienglebock’s offer. CHAPTER VIII. FRIEND OR ENEMY ? Carrain Enxauepnock stalked before him along the riverside, setting his face toward Padstow. Lynn, who was above the middle height himself, found that he could not see over the other’s shoulders. The seaman was a tall, narrow man, with the symmetry of a two-by-four seantiing. But he looked hard and bonv—as though he would be a tough proposition to tackle without duc study and forethought. His recent manner and words, too, seemed to disprove Lynn’s first judg- ment of the man. He was no ordinary seaman. And he had used a familiar air in speaking to Miss Hawley that had stung the younger man to the quick. He resented this, and when Bertha was out of sight Lynn was first tempi- ed to lay hold upon Captain Englebock C@ iNnMUC — TOO < S C@