: Edgar Wallace
: Saif El-Dein Ahmed
: Eve's Island
: Al-Mashreq eBookstore
: 9787894229311
: 1
: CHF 5.60
:
: Erzählende Literatur
: English
: 250
: DRM
: PC/MAC/eReader/Tablet
: ePUB
Venture into the exotic and mysterious world of 'Eve's Island' by Edgar Wallace. When a secluded island reveals its dark secrets, a thrilling adventure unfolds filled with hidden treasures, perilous encounters, and unexpected alliances. As the tension escalates, every twist and turn keeps you guessing until the breathtaking climax. This captivating tale of suspense, danger, and discovery is perfect for those who crave an unforgettable adventure.

Edgar Wallace (1875-1932) was a prolific British writer, journalist, and playwright, best known for his crime thrillers and mysteries. Born in London, Wallace had a challenging childhood, eventually joining the army and later working as a war correspondent. He gained fame for his fast-paced, gripping novels, often centered around police investigations and criminal masterminds. Wallace's most famous creation is 'The Four Just Men,' and he is also credited with contributing to the original script of the classic film 'King Kong.' Over his lifetime, he wrote more than 170 novels, 18 stage plays, and numerous short stories. Wallace's works were hugely popular in the early 20th century, and his storytelling continues to influence the crime genre today.

III. — THE EVIDENCE OF THE THIRD WITNESS: WILLIAM C. HACKITT


William C. Hackitt was a sturdy, thick-set man of fifty. He was prosperous-looking, and apparently he has quite a bunch of money invested in real estate in Rio—where I met him.

He was an interesting type of American seaman—better educated than most men who have lived their lives afloat, cautious of speech and exact of statement. I have only given part of his story, the latter portion being identical with that told by the correspondent Callus—except that the latter’s statement is considerably more detailed and probably, since he shared the confidence of Tatham, more accurate.

 

“I AM a native of Seattle, Washington, and by profession I am a seaman. I first went to sea in 1872 on the sailing vesselStar of the West, ‘Frisco to Boston.

“I served before the mast for ten years before I got my mate’s certificate in an English ship. I earned a master’s ticket in 1889, and three years later I entered the service of the Coastwise line, being appointed second officer on the steamshipO’sango trading between Liverpool and Cabinda.

“In ‘95 the company extended its operations, shipping freights to the Cape and Natal in competition with the Castle and Bucknall Lines. I was promoted to be chief officer ofO’laki in 1901 at a salary of $40 a month. The work was hard, we were under-officered, and, to make matters worse, I very soon discovered that the captain of theO’laki drank heavily.

“We started our homeward voyage for Durban, Natal, in January, 1902.

“One day out, the second officer went sick, which meant that the navigation and the care of the ship devolved upon myself and the third officer. We were due to call at Port Elizabeth, and we entered the Bay in a strong north-easterly gale.

“It was rather dubious as to the advisability of anchoring, especially as the gale showed signs of increasing in strength, and the glass continued to fall. I communicated my doubts to the skipper, who was in his cabin sleeping off the effects of a drinking bout.

“He gruffly ordered me to anchor. This I did, at what I considered to be a safe distance from the shore. The wind increased in velocity, and at half-past three the harbour master signalled, ‘Get to sea with all despatch.’

“I reported this to the skipper, who, however, told me to ignore the signal. I was considerably scared, but I flew, ‘Have decided to remain’ in answer to the shore signal. As a cautionary measure I ordered the third officer to stand by to let go the storm anchor. At five o’clock our cable parted, and I dropped over the drogue, but there was no checking our drift, and I hoisted ‘N.C.’

“We went ashore at six p.m., and the crew was rescued by the Port Elizabeth lifeboat. The ship was a total wreck. At the Board of Trade inquiry my captain stated that the warning of the harbour master had not been conveyed to him, that he was in his berth ill at the time, and that I was in sole charge of the ship, and that th