It's a bad sign to laugh--too
hard."
Merry felt like shouting, but Jack was looking puzzled and dazed.
Diamond could not comprehend the little man, and he failed to catch the
humor of the character.
"Now," said Mr. Slush, "I will come directly to the--point."
"Do," nodded Frank.
"I just saw a--er--person leave this room. I wish to know if--Good
gracious, sir! Do you know that is a bad sign!"
He pointed a wavering finger at Frank.
"What is a bad sign?" asked Merry, surprised.
"To wear a--a dagger pin thrust through a--a tie in which there is the
least bit of--red. It is a sign of--of bloodshed. I--I beg you to remove
that--that pin from that scarf!"
The little man seemed greatly agitated.
After a moment of hesitation, Frank laughed lightly and took the pin
from the scarf.
Immediately the visitor seemed to breathe more freely.
"Ah--er--thank you!" he said. "I--I've seen omens enough. Everything
seems to point to--to a--tragedy. I regret exceedingly that I ever
sailed--on this steamer. I--I shall be thankful when I put my feet on
dry land--if I ever do again."
"You must be rather superstitious," suggested Frank.
"Not at all--that is, not to any extent," Mr. Slush hastened to aver.
"There are a few signs--and omens--which I know--will come true."
"Indeed!"
"Yes, sir!" asserted the little man, with surprising positiveness.
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