Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-05-22
CHAPTER XIII.


It was already arranged that in case
such a contretemps occurred they
were to advance to the side of the
steamer. addressing the man on guard
In Spanish, which the marquis was
easily capable of doing, announcing
themselves officers of the port. bent
upon their duties, who wished to come
aboard.
Once alongside. they would speedily
Chamber over the low waist of the
little steamer. whether invited or not.
AS to the rest. they were armed. and
meant to carry out their object though
the heavens fell.
The sailors were to manage the task
OF using the chain which they had car
risd, so that II would be wound about
the propeller with the first few revolu-
lions made.
1t was well done.
Not single cianking sound be-
trayed them.
Their next task required an abun-
dance of nerve, which. fortunately.
was not lacking.
The marquis had been using his eyes
as we'll as the darkness allowed, and
lie saw that the steamer was built in
a ms nner that made the task of board
ing her more difficult than he had an
ticipated..
They might be compelled to rely
upon some chance rope dangling over
the side.
The sailors knew what to expect.
ans foot by foot the boat was worked
along close to the hull of the steamer
until the cropping hand OF the man
who searched came in contact with
what they sought. rope. by means
of which any sailor ashore could, upon
arrival at the vessel, Chamber aboard.
The marquis was the first to take
hold Of II after the sailor had fastened
one end to. thwart. and he passed
over the rail OF the steamer In a jiffy.
Then came the man from Scotland
Yard. who also made the passage cas-
fly enough.
With Livermore 1t was a serious
business. for he had accumulated much
avoirdupois since his last equatorial
tramp through the African wilderness.
However. the same game spirit as Of
yore resided in his body. and while
he pulled considerably, making sounds
thai Jack feared would draw attention
from the watch, the discovery did not
come, and he was given the privilege
OF assisting his friend aboard.
Fortune favored them in that they
were able to reach the cabin without
meeting any one
Once at the saloon door, they looked
its length without discovering a living
soul.
Evidently those whom they sought
must be in their staterocms opening
on the cabin. and there was nothing
left to them but to open these, one at
a time, to discover the truth.
This was the crucial time.
The marquis, bold enough to take
advantage OF the slender opportunity
fortune had granted them. stepped to
the first door and opened 1t.
The light from the cabin entering
disclosed Fedora seated on a chair,
having refused to retire to the berth
after the terror OF the last two nights.
She was awake. and the astonish-
ment felt at seeing the marquis al
most caused her to faint.
He advanced to her side and said
in low but earnest tone:
do not cry out. or all is lost! We
have come across the water to save
you. He Is close at hand-your hus-
band. Come to him now. and please
utter no sound above whisper"
Then she suffered him to lead her
out, not sure that il was a dream or
some delusion.
There stood the captain awaiting
his own, and with a cry she could not
repress she threw herself into his ex-
tended arms.
The marquis rightly feared that dis
covery was now sure to come. and
realizing that not second must be
lost he begged Fedora to tell him u
she had companion in her captivity.
Unable to speak, she pointed to a
door opposite to the stateroom she
had occupied, and as JACK turned 70
1t he saw Mazette standing there. with
pale face and disheveled hair-but Ma
zette, alive, thank Heaven!
Another instant and he had clasped
her to his HEARTH was one OF those
moments when words are useless to
convey the sentiments of the soul. for
Mazette knew he loved her, even as
she had for years adored her former
somrsse ani instructor in Bohemia.