Part 9 (1/2)
”Of the _Laughing La.s.s_.”
Such a fury of eagerness burned in the face of Barnett that Trendon cautioned him. ”See here, Mr. Barnett, you're not going to fire a broadside of disturbing questions at my patient yet a while. He's in no condition.”
But it was from the other that the questions came. Opening his eyes he whispered, ”The sailor? Where?”
”Dead,” said Trendon bluntly. Then, breaking his own rule of repression, he asked:
”Did he come off the schooner with you?”
”Picked him up,” was the straining answer. ”Drifting.”
The survivor looked around him, then into Barnett's face, and his mind too, traversed the years.
”_North Dakota?_” he queried.
”No; I've changed my s.h.i.+p,” said Barnett. ”This is the _Wolverine_.”
”Where's the _Laughing La.s.s_?”
Barnett shook his head.
”Tell me,” begged Slade.
”Wait till you're stronger,” admonished Trendon.
”Can't wait,” said the weak voice. The eyes grew wild.
”Mr. Barnett, tell him the bare outline and make it short,” said the surgeon.
”We sighted the _Laughing La.s.s_ two days ago. She was in good shape, but deserted. That is, we thought she was deserted.”
The man nodded eagerly.
”I suppose you were aboard,” said Barnett, and Trendon made a quick gesture of impatience and rebuke.
”No,” said Slade. ”Left three--four--don't know how many nights ago.”
The officers looked at each other. ”Go on,” said Trendon to his companion.
”We put a crew aboard in command of an ensign,” continued Barnett, ”and picked up the schooner the next night, deserted. You must know about it.
Where is Billy Edwards?”
”Never heard of him,” whispered the other.
”Ives and McGuire, then. They were there after--Great G.o.d, man!” he cried, his agitation breaking out, ”Pull yourself together! Give us something to go on.”
”Mr. Barnett!” said the surgeon peremptorily.