The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-09-24


and yet-he knew the man before him was
| desperate and former experience had
| taught him that there were rev Things
| desperate man of his stamp would STICK
| at.
Then for an instant the Russians eyes
wavered and he looked straight over the
Englishman's shoulder. through the open
door. Tnstinctively Seymour glanced In
the same direction. Whether what nap
pened afterwards was the result Of an
accident or a deliberate act. he never
! could be quite certain, but before ne could
| turn again he was conscious OF a hash,
hot, singing sensatfonpin the shouloer,
and Of report that seemed to echo ana
re-echo from everyo SIDE. Yet with the
swiftness of panther and before the
other realized his intention, he sprang for
ward. and closing with him, wrenched the
weapon from his hand: ssThe next moment
he flung 1t throughn tho open port, the
electric light flashing FOR an instant on us
silver mountings before 1t fell with
| splash into the watef.C
They stood facing each other. In the
| Stiffness following thegreport the beat OF
the chronometer sounded iobtrusively loud
Both men were breathing heavily. Both
were very white-tfeI Russian more with
anger than with fear. His last card was
| played and lest; there was nothing left
| but flight. And that, unperceived, or un-
checked. was impossible now. Already
| there was a sound Of steps outside and
| voices. The bcatswain, at the sound OF
| the shot, had hurried on board, ard push
| ing the sleepy steward unceremonlously
aside, was making his way to the cabin
| Seymour was giddy and sick. His shoul-
| der throbbed painfully, and something
warm and wet was tricking from 1t down
| his sleeve. He staggered and caught al
| the bulkhead, then sat suddenly down In
a limp heap on the side Of his berth
| A terrible buzzing In his brain made II
difficult for him to steady his voice or to
speak intelligibly- to the man who had just
| appeared In the doorway He made an
| effort to pull himself together, and raised
| his head.
1--WE unfortunately had an accident
| with my revolver, Williams" he said.
| II want you to return at once to tho
! flagship with this gentleman, and he will
explain to his lordship what has hap
+, pened."
| Perhaps something IN HIS glance warned
| the man to ask no questions, for, whether
or no the astute Williams thought it
! slightly curious a person should be able
! to wound himself in the shoulder blade
| by accident, his face remained inpassive,
/ and he merely replied, cay, ay, sir" as
| If it were the most everyday occurrence.
| But Murief, who had stood with arms
hanging motionless at his sides, and his
| face hard and eXpressionless, looked UP
| quickly, and, raising his ey ebrows, NUT
| tered. "Fichtre'' into his moustache
Then after a moments hesitation ne
picked up his uniform CAP and moved
| towards the door. >'''.fT
On the threshold he paused, his lips
parting in a little smile
II own myself beaten, monsieur, he
/ said, In rapid French. N"It is humiliatilig
| But when next we meet-well, nous YER
| rons! and till then, au revoir!'
But Basil Seymour answered nothing
He had fallen forward across his berth,
| while sound like the surging Of the
! sea rushed into his ears, and all grew
I black before his sight.
I The sunlight flashed on the tumbung.
| sparkling waves, making their reflection
| Play increasingly on the brasses and
white sides of the yacht.
| On deck In g. long chair Basil Seymour
| lay at full length. q His face had that
! bleached appearance which tells of recent
| illness.
| Suddenly white serge-clad figure ap-
| peared above the hatchway, and, after a
| moments hesitation, Ethel Fame come to-
wards his chair. e
Il am glad to see, you. on. deck. Mr..
| Seymour - a43l&o OF
He, looked up with a smile. ""Ah,"" he
| said, as she drew up chair to his
| side, now you're coming to talk and
| amuse me? I'm longing for someone to
| talk to!'' $40 &
But just then Ethel Fame was evidently
| not in talkative mood
What bore you must have found me
! during the past fortnight! can never
| thank you and Lord cW1ckfiam enough. for
all your kindness. BY Phe way" he add
| ed. carelessly, what did you do when
you heard of my 2accident?''
| "Of course we had no idea how serious
| 1t was. But we came off at once, bring
| Ing a doctor-'''4s
And them as she paused
And then THAT Is we-thought--''
she stopped with shudder, oh, It was