Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1896-01-21
CHAPTER xyI.-oontinued.

She u.l!u .Up... .arn u little to him
for his fine rosisj-uce, though Its very
brilllance made her chAto the moro that
his was all tho action and hers to skulk
and DO protected.
And then came now smart Of anxiety.
For In spite OF oil he could do, the men
in tho shallop doGgedly insisted on
search, and whom she heard them climb
ing into the luegor, dread seized her
that Aymon would botray himself with u
fit of coughing,
"soars,h them II you will, " were Curtis
last words. But remember you arc sCnrch-
ing vessel on secret service. Do 1t at
your peril, and wait for what comes down
from Brest when report It,,
But why did you go or SO secrotlyS"
Some one asked.
II have told you, was Curtis reply,
and indeed no ~ said NIL that Dunk had
suggested, and tT,srcat deal more Decides,
so as to make his stealthy embarkation
appear plausible enough.
Eyes, said another, .sSs,,t is very we'll.
But there were more tl..-ls In the sand
than yours, You don't persuade us you
were alone"
we were not alone" answered Curtis.
1.-TWO strangers were there who begged
q passage, and Captain Dunk refused TO
take them" which was true, though
scarcely tho whole truth.
Well, wn will see, - was the dczged an.
swor and now all was silent except for
tho tramp Of feet up and down tho dock,
the opening md shutting OF the ouddy
door and OF such lockers ~ were largo
enough TO deserve tho pains. They search
cd aft first, md thon sho could hear thom
come forward, passing by her into the
foroOastle.
Having rummnged there for awhile,
they oamo out and stood muttoring to-
gethor In low tones. With thrill Of joy
sho heard them resolve TO he gone whom,
az II were In IN Idle gesture, ono Of them
kicked the barrel In which sho lay. Hor
heart stood still, for, hearing the hollow.
ness Of tho sound, tho man cried out,
What's In here captain"
II she could have seen Curtis face at
TINT momont, perhaps she would have
changed toward him then and there but
all she know was TINT something flashed
through tho bungholc and her arm was
trnnsfixed with the thin blade OF small
sword. II pinned her TO the siaycs with n
sharp score OF pnin, but her only iden was
20 make no sound or movement. The steel
was not Immediately withdrawn, and the
roason was plain.
What is that pistol forf' a voice cried
out.
The reply came from Curtis. "lf you
draw your weapon, friend" he said care.
lossly, II draw mine"
Had tho man been moment less quick
In probing the barrel there Is 10 doubt he
never would have done ID, The crack OF
Curtis pistol would hare given tho signal
for q fight, tho ond OF which must have
been the end Of all.
As It was, hearing no cry from her, no
hold his fire. and his impetuous action did
nothing but good II Gavo her time to
think that her blood ON the sword would
bctray them, and whom in another mo
mont 1t was Withdrawn tho blade was
bright and clean as 1t came from the scab'
bard.
Now gop' orlsd Curtis in his most
compelling tones. You have done your
duty"
And the men from tho shnllop, being
broken In spirit by their failure, obeyod,
as IL were, mechanically. With no more
ado they re-embarked, and with sulky
"Godspoedl" headed for the hnrbor. Dur.
Ing tho search the brooze had somewhat
frcshcned. 80 that as soon as the Content
filled again on her old tack abe drew rapid
ly away from the shallop.
1t was well she did, for Curtis, bursting
with impatiuncc, could hardly wait till u
safe interval was between the two boats
before no dashed at Lucile's hiding place
and cut IL loose with his jackkniie. With
careful haste he slowed tho cast round.
and then---thorc sho was displayed in har
beauty, lying still and sonselsss and stain
cd with blood.
1t was moro than he could do TO hold
back a cry at the sight. Strnightway he
fell on his knees and began 10 draw her
forth. The skipper littlo less distressed
than himself came to his aid, and tho two
mon, with awkward gontlcnoss, sat her up
ngainst thu bulkhead. Tho blood burst out
ngsin In n now dow, and sae oponsd her
eyes.
Thick fell at suea On Curtis. but now