Part 19 (1/2)
Presently she broached the subject to Monsieur Thuran Had he seen Mr
Caldwell today? He had not Why?
”He was not at breakfast as usual, nor have I seen hiirl
Monsieur Thuran was extremely solicitous
”I did not have the pleasure of intimate acquaintance with Mr
Caldwell,” he said ”He seeentleman, however
Can it be that he is indisposed, and has ree”
”No,” replied the girl, ”it would not be strange, of course; but for some inexplicable reason I have one of those foolish feht with Mr Caldwell It is the strangest feeling--it is as though I knew that he was not on board the shi+p”
Monsieur Thuran laughed pleasantly ”Mercy, ,” he said; ”where in the world could he be then? We have not been within sight of land for days”
”Of course, it is ridiculous ofto worry about it any longer; I a to find out where Mr Caldwell is,” and shesteward
”That ht Monsieur Thuran, but aloud he said: ”By all means”
”Find Mr Caldwell, please,” she said to the steward, ”and tell him that his friends are much worried by his continued absence”
”You are very fond of Mr Caldwell?” suggested Monsieur Thuran
”I think he is splendid,” replied the girl ”And mamma is perfectly infatuated with hi of perfect security--no one could help but have confidence in Mr
Caldwell”
A moment later the steward returned to say that Mr Caldas not in his stateroo, and”--he hesitated--”I have learned that his berth was not occupied last night I think that I had better report the matter to the captain”
”Most assuredly,” exclaio with you to the captainawful has happened My presentihtened young woman and an excited steho presented themselves before the captain a few moments later He listened to their stories in silence--a look of concernhis expression as the steward assured hier in every part of the shi+p that a passenger ht be expected to frequent
”And are you sure, Miss Strong, that you saw a body fall overboard last night?” he asked
”There is not the slightest doubt about that,” she answered ”I cannot say that it was a huht have been only what I thought it was--a bundle of refuse But if Mr Caldwell is not found on board I shall always be positive that it was he whom I saw fall past h search of the entire shi+p from stem to stern--no nook or cranny was to be overlooked Miss Strong re the outcome of the quest The captain asked herabout thetheir brief acquaintance on shi+pboard For the first time she suddenly realized how very little indeed Mr Caldwell had told her about himself or his past life That he had been born in Africa and educated in Paris was about all she knew, and this er inforlishlish with such a marked French accent
”Did he ever speak of any enemies?” asked the captain