The age-herald., 1901-11-10

pared to be rowed ashore. I went below to get a warmer cloak from my cabin and seeing my revolver handy, l slipped it into my pocket. It might be as well to have it. One could not tell what one might find on the apparently deserted ship.
 As I stepped into the boat, a sharp re- port smote the still air. It was a pistol shot. I stood still in amusement What could 1t mean7 There was no doubt from which direction 1t came It was Corvo. Was 1t possible that at this early hour in the morning there could be some wretohed creatures haunting the beach, watching for wreckage, and had they come into collision with my own men? Grand my heart beat faster at the thought-had a stranger thing come to pass; was there life on that battered hulk? Life that feared to be molested?
 l urged the sailors to make haste and in a few minutes we were in the little harbor close to the brig, which had drifted on to a sandy beach. l looked around. expecting to see Pilgrim rush forward to meet me, excited and over joyed, as I was. at our good fortune; but there was neither sound nor movement The stretch of beach looked dreary and deserted in the dim grey light. But as l stepped on shore l saw something lying on the sand close to the wreck. 1 has tened up, and to my horror I found that it was Pilgrims companion. He had been shot, for blood was oozing from a wound in his side, but he was not in- sensible As l spoke to him he nut tered something unintelligibe and made Q gesture in the direction of the ship It was evident that something was wrong there.
 Leaving the wounded man in charge of my companion, telling him that should I h oCaf1@ r him by a whistle, I made haste to go on board the Sonia. l must look there for the solution of the mystery. I took the precaution to have my revolver ready though I was more bewldered than afraid. What could have become of Pill grim? Had he been injured too? But | there was only one shot. Or had he fol- ] lowed the assailant on board?
 Stepping as softly as possible I slowly descended the companion way. Who could tell what might await me below. But though l looked cautiously all around I could see nothing. As I stood still for a moment In the half darkness,
 wondering which way I should turn, l heard a sound in one of the cabins. Treadng on tiptoe I went in that direc- tion and the door being ajar I looked in. l could not restrain a startled exclama- l ton as I saw that the man who was | bending over an open portmanteau, hur- riedly sorting some papers by the light of lantern on the floor, was none other l than Richard Pilgriml
 He had evidently been too engrossed to notice my approach, but at my ex- clamation he looked up and his hand 1 shot out to his revolver. which was lying l on the table.
 Touch it and I fret" I cried, and 1 though he hesitated moment as he saw the shining barrel pointed at his breast, he threw up his hands. had the advan- tage of him by fraction of time.
 Make the slightest movement and you are dead man." l said and he knew 1t was no empty threat. I had had some revolver practice on board to vile away the time and he had seen what I could do
 "Sit there" I said. pointing to the end of the cabin farthest removed from the portmanteau, having previously placed his weapon out of reach Now tell me what this means. I would advise you to speak the truth; it will be of the most service to you. If not, I will discover 1t for myself and then will have no mercy. l give you five minutes after that I shall summon assistance, and your chance will be gone" A silver whistle hung from my girdle with a few other useful arti- cles. and I held 1t up as I spoke
 What do you want to know?" he asked sullenly.
 "Who you are. and what you were doing at that portmanteau," replied.
 of tell you will you give me my lib- erty?' he said. .I can be of no further service to you now, either for good or evil l am a person of no importance: to punish me would inJure no one else,