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I73R;‘tYl". .-XXI) BOl..l). 3
things very disagreeable for a traveler on an ocean
steamer."
Toni remembered these words, and, liaviiig occasion
to visit the office of the stermiship coiiipaiiy the next
afternoon on business, he inquired if the other berth in
his room had been disposed of.
“It has," replied the clerk.
this gentleman."
The person referred to was a fiashily dressed young
fellow of about nineteen, who immediately stepped for-
ward and said. extending his hand:
“Delighted to know you. My name is lhirtoii Duf-
field.”
“The pleasure is not mutual." thought Tom. who was
not at all pleased with the young man's appearance.
However. he accepted the proferred hand and made
some suitable reply. y
Half-past seven the following Thursday inornirig, the
fourteenth of November, found our hero on l>0z1r<l the
Augusta Victoria.
Early as he was. Duftield was ahead of him. and was
the first person to meet him.
“Glad you've come." was his greetiiig. "l 5‘-lllllo-‘C
you've heard who we are to have for a fellow passenger?"
“I have not," replied Tom, coldly.
“Why. Nellie Blv. the celebrated female correspondent
of the New York fV0rld. She starts on her race around
the globe to-day."
"I have just given it to
CHAPTER II.
A MONSTER or THE DEEP.
“Her race around the globe?" repeated Tom, witha
puzzled look, for he had not seen the inorning‘ paper in
which the announcement of the young ladyis intended ex-
Ploit had been made for the first time. V H
“Why, cert. Whv don't you keep up with the times?
laughed Duffield. "'Yes. she is to be sent by the World
On a trip around the globe, which she expects to accom-
plish in seventy-five days."
“Is that so ?" cried Tom. so much interested that. he
f0I'g0t for the moment his dislike for his coml’="ml0“‘
"She must be a plucky girl." .
“You can bet she is !” replied Duffield. “I dont know
whether she’s on ‘board yet or not, but whenewr she 313’
pears I’ll introduce you.”
“Do you know her ?" .
“VVhy, certainly. I do: she's an old friend of mine.
Know her! Well, I should smile." , , .
Tom soon went down below to attend to the <l:<l’09‘-“ml
Of his trunk. VVhen he came back he saw a rather l’“‘lt."
and nattily dressed young lady stzinding oirthe deck, stir-
1‘ounded by a group of igeiitleineii and ladies. . -
“That’s Nellie Blv." said Duffield, who was loitci:i11.i.' b.V
the rail. “Come right up. and I'll introduce you-
Tom followed him. He coolly elbowed his way tliT0Uls'll
the crowd, and stepped up to Miss lily. SI1)'l“.-S’:
“How d've do. Miss Nellie? IVe're to be fellow‘P?1“
izngers. itlseems. Permit me to introduce in)’ f“C”‘l'
r. Pinknev."
The young lady stared at him coldly.
“I don't kiiow you, sir.” she sriicl.
“I)oii't know me? Don't know Burt Duftieltl?" said
the fellow. not at all disconcerted.
“Ah. yes! I do remember you now," returned Miss
Bly. a light breaking on her expressive face. "You were
an employee of the ll’or[d at one time. and, if I am not
mistaken. you were discliarged for dishonesty. I want to
have nothing whatever to do with you." And she turned
her back.
This was too much even for Duffield’s “nerve," and
he slunk off like a whipped cur.
Of course Tom was intensely mortified, and he could
have thrashed his roommate on the spot. However, not
wishing to make a scene. and realizing that any expli-
nations he might offer just then would probably not be
listened to. he walked away.
But he determined that he would right himself in the
eyes of Miss Bly before they had proceeded far on their
Journey.
At precisely nine-forty the .’fligIl.s‘f(l Victoria liaekcd
out into the North River. .'lll(l the voyaj.:e. destined to be
one of the most memorable ever attempted. began.
Tom thrilled with pride as the stately vessel moved
down the bay; the only damper to his eiitliusiasin was
the presence of Dufiicld. who stuck close to his side, and
paid no attention to his many hints that his presence was
unwelcome.
It is not necessary that we relate the many trifling de-
tails of that famous voyage, which have already been
published throughout the land; we will confine ourselves
to those which have not been made public. and which
directly affect the fortunes of our hero, Toni Pinkney.
On the very first night out, while Tom was lying awake
in his berth, unable, on account of the novelty of his
position. to compose himself to slumber. he heard Duf-
field cry out in his sleep, after muttering unintelligibly
for some moments: ‘
“Tliat's all right. Mr. Crawford. I'll fix him."
Then the terril)le suspicion flashed upon him that his
uncle and guardian. whom be suspected of having at-
tempted to poison him in order to obtain possession of
his property. had employed this fellow to follow and
perhaps murder him.
In the morning. fixing: his eyes upon Duffield's face. he
asked him : '
“Do you know Mr. Daniel Crawford. of Madison Ave-
nue ?"
Perhaps the young fellow had been expecting this
question; at all events. he seemed prepared for it. for
he replied. promptly:
“Never heard the name before in my life."
Tom did not believe him. However, he said no more.
But he thouglit:
“I shall be glad when this voyage is over. Then I‘ll
get rid of this fellow in quick order. In the meantime I
must keep on the watch."
.’I‘mii's licalth improved every hour: the voyage seemed
to be inakiii;-4' a new being of him. and his conviction
deepened that he had been the victim of foul play on
the part of his uncle.
It was on the evening of the third day of the voyage
that. while pacing thc deck-nearly all his fellow pas-
sen.-gers bciiig :isseni"le<l in the cabin or liayiiig retired to
their riwiiii----'lUwiii l‘.'$.'i1"(,l a Stealtliy fo:vtstep behind him.
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