While Ray did not again see Starbuck until the Raven had dropped anchor
in the harbor of Cobh, he was aware of the presence in his vicinity of
Koli. The little Jap was unobtrusive, but Ray was certain that the man
had been given instructions to watch over the luckless visitor, and he
was equally sure that any false move on his part would be productive of
instant counter measures on the part of Koli.
The latter need not have been apprehensive. Ray had no notion of
plunging over the side into the icy waters of the bay; his recent
experience had supplied enough of that to last him for a long time.
And there was no chance to get ashore any other way. A small tender was
lowered overside. Into this the steward, Sayles, descended, followed by
the man called Grundy.
Starbuck appeared at the rail with low-toned instructions for Sayles and
the boat put off.
Something like an hour and a half later the launch returned. On gaining
the deck Sayles thrust into Starbuck’s hands a great bundle of papers,
said a few words and went below. Starbuck approached Ray, remarking
affably: “You might want to see the news, Mr. Folsom.” And Ray went
along with him to the lounge where Count Markowski was talking with Mrs.
Trine.
The two eagerly accepted the papers which Starbuck handed them, watched
narrowly, Ray thought, as he and his host passed on into the library
where Ray had discovered the floor plan of the Gaylord home.
Starbuck closed the door after he had flooded the room with light and
threw the bundle of papers on the table.
“Help yourself,” he told Ray; he himself shook out a copy of the
_Freeman’s Journal_. Ray dug out a _Daily Mail_ and an _Evening News_.
Instantly the principal headline caught his eye: