Part 15 (1/2)

I watched him narrowly. Waldon, who was driving the boat, had not heard what was said, but I had, and I could not conceive how anyone could take it so calmly.

Finally Jermyn turned to Kennedy and looked him squarely in the eye.

”Kennedy,” he said slowly, ”this is extraordinary--most extraordinary,”

then, pausing, added, ”if true.”

”There can be no doubt of the truth,” replied Kennedy, eyeing Dr.

Jermyn just as squarely.

”What do you propose to do about it?” asked the doctor.

”Investigate,” replied Kennedy simply. ”While Waldon takes these things up to the undertaker's, we may as well wait here in the boat. I want him to stop on the way back for Mr. Edwards. Then we shall go out to the Lucie. He must go, whether he likes it or not.”

It was indeed a most peculiar situation as Kennedy and I sat in the tender with Dr. Jermyn waiting for Waldon to return with Edwards. Not a word was spoken.

The tenseness of the situation was not relieved by the return of Waldon with Edwards. Waldon seemed to realize without knowing just what it was, that something was about to happen. He drove his boat back to the Lucie again in record time. This was Kennedy's turn to be reticent.

Whatever it was he was revolving in his mind, he answered in scarcely more than monosyllables whatever questions were put to him.

”You are not coming aboard?” inquired Edwards in surprise as he and Jermyn mounted the steps of the houseboat ladder, and Kennedy remained seated in the tender.

”Not yet,” replied Craig coolly.

”But I thought you had something to show me. Waldon told me you had.”

”I think I shall have in a short time,” returned Kennedy. ”We shall be back immediately. I'm just going to ask Waldon to run over to the Nautilus for a few minutes. We'll tow back your launch, too, in case you need it.”

Waldon had cast off obediently.

”There's one thing sure,” I remarked. ”Jermyn can't get away from the Lucie until we return--unless he swims.”

Kennedy did not seem to pay much attention to the remark, for his only reply was: ”I'm taking a chance by this maneuvering, but I think it will work out that I am correct. By the way, Waldon, you needn't put on so much speed. I'm in no great hurry to get back. Half an hour will be time enough.”

”Jermyn? What did you mean by Jermyn?” asked Waldon, as we climbed to the deck of the Nautilus.

He had evidently learned, as I had, that it was little use to try to quiz Kennedy until he was ready to be questioned and had decided to try it on me.

I had nothing to conceal and I told him quite fully all that I knew.

Actually, I believe if Jermyn had been there, it would have taken both Kennedy and myself to prevent violence. As it was I had a veritable madman to deal with while Kennedy gathered up leisurely the wireless outfit he had installed on the deck of Waldon's yacht. It was only by telling him that I would certainly demand that Kennedy leave him behind if he did not control his feelings that I could calm him before Craig had finished his work on the yacht.

Waldon relieved himself by driving the tender back at top speed to the Lucie, and now it seemed that Kennedy had no objection to traveling as fast as the many-cylindered engine was capable of going.

As we entered the saloon of the houseboat, I kept close watch over Waldon.

Kennedy began by slipping a record on the phonograph in the corner of the saloon, then facing us and addressing Edwards particularly.

”You may be interested to know, Mr. Edwards,” he said, ”that your wireless outfit here has been put to a use for which you never intended it.”

No one said anything, but I am sure that some one in the room then for the first time began to suspect what was coming.