Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-01-01
CHAPTER Y.
TCONTINCED.

you
/ He had been very pale but seemed
to grow winter.
J II thought you would -
drown" he said
did not inform him that for some
little time l had labored under the
same impression myself.
''Oh, no! l never drown" replied,
nonchalantly.
/ Miss Arnold smiled. Mr.. Smell
seemed to grow every moment more
4 i'll at ease.
what - are-you - going-to-do
--wiz-me?' he asked, looking fur
lively at the rife that was placed care
fully out of his reach and easily in
mine.
"Well, Gambok Smell" ! answered
I sternly, "that is problem the solu-
tion of which depends lsr gely upon
yourself. You know all the circum-
stances of my leaving San Francisco,
as we'll as / do up to the day you threw
me into the sea. From that time out,
you probably know everything that
has occurred in the fortunes of my
two friends and Annie Ralston, while
know nothing. Now if you value
life, you will obey my orders. Our
first act will be to sail to Hong Kong
and restore Miss Arnold here to her
father. You have had no hand in her
abduction, so are not concerned. Then
we will find Ralston and Langston,
and then Annie Ralston. And upon
the faithful assistance you give mo in
all these things depends your hope OF
life. Obey me implicitly, and you
shall live. Disregard one of my com
mands, fail to find one of my friends,
and I shall kill you by slow torture. "
A peculiar look, partly of triumphant
hate and partly OF despair, came over
his face.
81 cannot help you," lie said.
"Why not?" / exclaimed impatient
ly. "Ralston and Langston must have
left the Janeiro when yo. did. Miss
Ralston was on board the Ketoto,
which has probably landed at hang
hal before this. You are perfectly
familiar with the course pursued in
these abductions, and must either find
Miss Ralston. if she is not already
found by her brother, or you must
take me to the whelp that got her out
of San Francisco and sailed under tho
name Of Sid Kee from Vancouver.
There will be no play about this mot
ter. You will do rs [ say, or y1u Will
| die"
Mr.. Smell shut his eyes aud shook
his head.
II tell you, Meester Crickmore, I
cannot help you, l do not even know
what has become of your friends. And
the KetoIo was wrecked yesterday
morning off the Chinese coast. No
pairsen haas been found from her OK.
cept three of tho crew"
1 sat silent, stunned by the terrible
news.
He said it earnestly. A man SC
near death, and with no apparent OBJ
ject to be gained, would not lie on SC
vital Il subject, J thought--especiall,
now that it would be so much better
J for his own interests to return the girl
/ to her friends, unframed.
could see that Miss Arnold, too,
was touched with pity. 1.; 1.-.
perhaps Miss Ralston has beer
saved by some passing vessel sh,
said, softly.
I shook my head doubtingly
''Is it possible that it is SO, Gamboh
/ Snel.?" / asked.
"No--eet ees impossible. Nothing
have been heard"
! "Ihen there is bat one course to be
pursued" SAID sadly. "We must
get to Hong Kong, Miss Arnold, anG
you will be safe again with your father
Then ] shall hunt up my two friends,
They will have learned by that time
| of the loss of the ketoto. 1t may be
that Ealston will want some proof o.
his sisters death to satisfy his father,
| If so, we must look for it. Then we
will return to America, sadder than We
! left, our journey all for nought." "
/ II am sorry" she answered softly
and I saw tear glisten on her cheek.
81 do not think it advisable to take
! any risks with that crew until morn
ing | continued. "It will, of course,
be unpleasant Tor you to remain i'll
this place over night; but J think you
will agree with me that II little delay
with safely is better than haste and
uncertainty"
She thought moment aud said:
| "I will do as YOU think best. | Gm
anxious to get to my father: but if il
morrow, / will be content. L feel safe
! now
A faint smile played around the
mouth Of Gambok SAell.
The events ! have narrated took
more time in passing than / had sup
posed even when / decided to remain
in the island over night. Among the
! other costly articles worn by Cha
! Fong was u handsome watch. took
this from his body and put it in my
vest pocket, | glanced at It, aud
found the time to he eight o'clock.
Gambok Smell dropped off into a
dose. After short time spent i'll
planning for the following day, I said
Now, Miss Arnold, perhaps you
had better retire. - hill be
enough excitement 70 moSHfor you
to need your strength. You do not