The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1902-10-30
MISS MILNE AND |.


coming in, Colonel Pelham, if | did not
think it would be better for you to give
yourselves up to the authorities. In
reply do not think it would. If you
were to do SO it would insure your be.
ing quarantined, and in Miss Pelham's
state of health that would be extreme
ly dangerous TO her."
"But," said the colonel, as he put
down his knife and fork, "surely they
would not detain us here?"
"They would, sir-they would, in
deed. The frantic fear of these strange
people would drive them to do any
thing, no matter how many lives were
inv Owed"
"Dear, dear mel This is more seri-
Gus than imagined! But what do you
propose? What is your advice, DR..
Rigby? You cannot keep the whole OF
US here unseen"
"No, you are quite right. I cannot
for more than night or two. There
fore, my suggestion is that the two sail
ors shall remain in their cave tomor-
row, Miss Pelham in hers, and you, if
yOu WAli bO ldl hohOI hO, 1Otdlh LII
inner room. There you are not likely
to be disturbed. Then when night
comes on we will get the boatman's
large boat and take her outside the
Heads, and you can all sail round to
Manley and report yourselves as wreck
ed on the coast, without being definite
as to the spot. But-hush! l hear
steps! Would you kindly step into
mi-or, rather, your room?"
The old Colonel did so hurriediy,
and l left the door open that he
might hear. A little tap followed,
and I, opening the door, saw Warren,
who stepped quickly in.
II came for some food for the sail
ors, sir"
"Oh, thank you, Warren! l had
quite forgotten them. How about
clothing, fires, etc?"
"Well sir, l don't know. They are
a little dissatisfied, and I amt sure
We can keep them quiet"
l thought a moment, then consult
ed my watch. It was II o'clock.
asked Warren if he would go and
bring the men up to my house, while
| made a fire and prepared some food
and whisky for them. This he did,
and promised to come back himself.
When they appeared l found them
anything but easy men to manage.
One was especially i'll tempered. How
ever, good supper, some hot grog
and the drying of their clothes soon
brought them around. When they
had finished, told them of my
scheme for getting them away, pre-
facing it with a picture of what
would happen if they stayed, and
ending by making them promise new
err to divulge anything, or the punish
ment for all of us would be some
thing to remember. In two hours
they started for their cave with all
the clothing l could find, bottle Of
spirits and some tobacco. Then the
old colonel rose to leave me. AS he
took my hand he held it for a moment
in silence, and then said
my daughter-is she safe, Dr.
Rigby, in that woman's care"
Perfectly, Colonel Pelham. The
woman Is most trustworthy"
Thank you-thank you!" he said,
still holding my hand. and then: CDR.
Rigby, this is a most strange re-un-
ion. and If this-in fact. any Of the
incidents of our acquaintanceship
were made the subject of a novel, it
would be spoken of as a collection of
extreme improbabilities. 1t is not be-
cause you have been instrumental in
saving our lives, and also most kind
to us. that l am chiefly grateful to
you. I think you have, in resigning
my daughters hand and leaving Eng
land, behaved most nobly under most
trying circumstances, and you have
my most heartfelt sympathy and
thanks"
81 do not think I am entitled to
anything in the shape of return, but
] would like to ask you one question. y
"And that is, DR.. Rigby?"
"As to Miss Pelham's health?"
The face of the old colonel hardened
perceptibly. and his voice went back
to its old firm tones.
"My daughter is better, DR.. Rigby
She was very much better. but the
loss of her mother. which occurred
at sea. sent her partly back into her
old state Of melancholia."
This news shocked me terribly, but
before I could attempt any reply the
colonel had returned to his room.
| When he had gone, |. too unsettled
to sleep. put on my coat and boots
and, telling him that I had a patien;
to see and that he must not fear be
ing disturbed. started to walk.
CHAPTER XVI.
When I stepped out of the front
door on to the path, stood still {
moment and thought of all that haC
happened since my memorable en-
counter with Warren.
| l had. judging by events. which