The Mystery

by Stewart Edward White

"The Mystery" by Stewart Edward White and Samuel Hopkins Adams is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story begins with the crew of the United States cruiser "Wolverine" exploring mysterious incidents on the Pacific Ocean, particularly focusing on the derelict "Laughing Lass" and its enigmatic disappearance. The narrative intertwines elements of adventure and the supernatural as the officers discuss the ship and the potential connection to a scientist, Dr. Karl Augustus Schermerhorn, who vanished under mysterious circumstances. The opening of "The Mystery" introduces us to a scene in the Pacific, where officers aboard the "Wolverine" are enthralled by the strange glow observed on the horizon. The discovery of the "Laughing Lass", deserted with no sign of its crew yet intact, ignites a series of discussions about the ship's ominous past. As they speculate about the fate of the original crew, we learn about their connections to Dr. Schermerhorn, who had embarked on a secret voyage that raises the stakes of their exploration. The mood is rife with tension and anticipation as the mystery deepens, hinting at fantastical elements that might reveal the ship’s dark secrets.