Ruth Fielding Homeward Bound / A Red Cross Worker's Ocean Perils

n the World War and what she had overheard on deck that morning, as well as the advice the Red Cross officer h

a person to be easily frightened or one to spread ill-advised and unfounded tales. Us

In those days of desperate warfare between the democratic governments of the world and the autoc

aking, a war ship, was quite in line with the frightfulness of Germany and her allie

cking of the ship was, however, scarcely within the bounds of probability. Notably because by c

s far shown themselves to be so utt

its war aims; but she could not imagine the self-styled "artist" to be o

luenced Mr. Dowd's min

stings. However, I cannot really believe that German spies w

foot. I do think, however, that the woman and that seaman, or stoker, or whatever and whoever he is, sh

d person-a man named Boldig? His n

ed Ruth, who had rea

e may not use that name. I remember nothing like it. Well, we shall see. Thank you,

captain's chartroom or office. Nor was her mind en

ontinually. It was that which kept her awake on this first nig

ents in France and sailed on the Admiral Pekhard. Her chum was torn, Ruth knew, between a desire to go home with t

had got into serious trouble with the flying ace, Ralph Still

front-the accident to Ralph Stillinger and his passenger. Of course Ruth had no means of proving to herself that the passenger was Tom Cameron, but sh

om Cameron. Ruth's anxiety might have thrown her into a fever had it not been for t

quieting. Had her passage not been already arranged for and her physical health not been

harlie Bragg's letter. But better that, Ruth thought now, than t

might have happened, to Tom. He might not, of course, have been the passenger-captai

merican ace's airplane had been seen in battle with a Zeppelin. It had been seen to fall. Afterwa

and his passenger. The amazing fact of their disappear

inquiry she learned that because of war measures no private message could be sent or received by radio. Such wireless news as th

large opinion of his own importance and an insular suspicion of Americans in general. This type of British subject was growing happily less-especially

gs among my passengers," he said. He verged toward a slight co

s quite beyond suspicion, don't you know. I should not wish to insult her by accusing her of being an enemy agent

. Here was a man who lacked all the tact a ship's captain i

hought it my duty to say what I did to Mr. Dowd, I assure you I should not have put myself out to do so. But as you have-either justly or unjustly-judge

chartroom, and her manner as well as her wor

man, growing very red in the face. "Yo

rstanding that you do not consider my

e commander of the Admiral Pekhard. "H

irst officer," tartly rejoined the girl. "If you will excuse me, Captain Hast

tain. "I am willing to pu

stings," declared Ruth. "I am quite, quite sat

d will not be satisfied if you do not have the opportunity of identifying the s

matter any further?" asked Ruth, with a shru

the watches are being changed at eight bells. If you can pick out the man you say you saw on the after deck, I will examine him. Though it's all bally foolishness, you know," added

at she had not spoken at all to t