The Black Box by E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim
page 258 of 451 (57%)
page 258 of 451 (57%)
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I only know that he came on board. My eyes are the one thing in life I do
believe." "If you'll excuse my saying so, Miss Laura," Harris ventured, leaning deferentially towards her, "there isn't a passenger on board this ship, or a servant, or one of the crew, whom we haven't seen. We've been into every stateroom, and we've even searched the hold. We've been over the ship, backwards and forwards. The Captain's own steward has been our guide, and we've conducted an extra search on our own account. Personally, I must say I have come to the same conclusion as Mr. Quest. At the present moment there is no such person as the man we are looking for, on board this steamer." "Then he either changed on to another one," Laura declared obstinately, "or else he jumped overboard." Harris, who was a very polite man, gazed thoughtfully seaward. Quest smiled. "When Laura's set on a thing," he remarked, "she takes a little moving. What do you think about it, Professor?" The Professor laid down his book, keeping his finger in the place. He had the air of a man perfectly content with himself and his surroundings. "My friend," he said, "I boarded this steamer with only one thought in my mind--Craig. At the present moment, I feel myself compelled to plead guilty to a complete change of outlook. The horrors of the last few months seem to have passed from my brain like a dream. I lie here, I watch these white-winged birds wheeling around us, I watch the sunshine make jewels of |
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