The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-24

| my presencel',
But the precipitous retreat of the 1tal-
ian made execution Of the threat quite
needless, and Archie. who purposely had
| now hurriedly turned to Lady Somers and
Emily. who had timidly emerged to tho
/ main cabin.
With finger warninsly raised, he whis-
pered rapidly:
mot world Ais well for the pres
cnt! Go on deck!"
Then he Immediately added. with a bois-
| ferrous laugh. half insolent, half friendly:
"Heave ahead. my lassies, and don't
BIO skeered! Worse'n this might beer,
| board. Here. I'll lend you hand"
With the last he received tho hand OF.
Lady somers and passed her to the COM
panion stairs. The momentary pressure
OF hers, and ono fleeing glance from
tho depths Of her splendid eyes. told him
she now understood and appreciated
what he was doing and daring But he
gave her in response only stationary
shake OF the head: and with n cursory
train OF observations, some rude enough.
| indeed, and which were endured with
the djgnified silence of conscious help
| lcssness, Walton seated them on the
after deck.
These changes presently gave him a
chance to return below without thu
|
picion: and remarkng casually that no
was going to put his room in shape, he
again sought the cabin.
| But his own room was Of gr,.atly In
| ferior interest to him at Just that time.
or far greater Importance was the gen
eral lay Of the cabin. as presenting fu.-
| ture possibilities. Moving rapidly, yet
silently, he made a hurried survey Of
tho entire place.
The room occupied by the women was
| like his own. ard separated therefrom
by the customary panelling only. On
the opposite side were two correspond
ing. the aft used by Redlaw. and the
steward. some OF whose garments,
lately discarded. were tossed In his
berth. This discovery that the Italian
| was quartered aft was by no means
pleasing to Walton. the constant pres
ence OF the scoundrel being seriously
In the way OF any decisive action. should
occasion require 1t.
Next opening the small door forward.
a short, narrow passage was revealed,
disclosing the bulge Of the mainmast on
one side. and the bulkhead OF the after
deck. Here. however. the pent air and
noxlous odor Of blge-water indicated
some immediate connection with the
vessels hold: and even as he was about
to search further. there came to Wal
toms ears from some quarter below, a
short. sharp sound like breath Of.
warming
"HIst!'
Startled. yet involuntarily waiting the
outcome. he suddenly bche1d In the dim
| light OF the passage and almost at his
feet. the head and shoulders Of Ben
Logan thrust up through hatch. the
seaman wearing a, grnlof irrepressible
delight on his weather beaten face.
"Goodness!' gasped Archie, toyously.
rs 1t you. Benz"
Aye. lad. none other. Be ye alone
| here?"
,'Yes, for time Speak low. and II
close this door. Thank heaven you've
found a way to reach me unseen"
| Tho seaman chuckled softly.
| LET me alone for that. lad. so be 1t
| there were way" said he "The dirty
| fo'castle's too snug for this ere crew o
cutthroats. along with all the varmine
| for'ard SO the hold been boarded in as
| far aft as the forehatch. BY a tight
squeeze under one o. the hunks gained
| the hold. and here I've been since hear.
| ing your voice at mess"
what are you on?"
"a string O. cleats nailed up along the
| mast
"Can you return as you Gamer"
faye. lad, safe enough
Good" said Archie. gladly. This
means OF secret communication yet may
serve us well. MY right hand thrust In
| side my shirt shall be sign that wish
to see you here"
II sarve. lad And mine the same"
"Ill observe It, Ben"
"Do YOU know where the id crafts
bound?"
ITO one Of the Ladrone Islands.
! have It all from Redlaw, whom Two
blinded into thinking me one OF his own
stamp. DO all you can to impress his
crew with the same idea, Ben"
! AYE, lad, I Will. But why the La
| drones. dye know2"
There's treasure aboard which Red
| law means to hide on one of the islands.
| It's not his first visit. and we yet may
turn our bad beginning to profitable
ending. Should events SO turn that we
can seize the vessel
"Tain't likely, lad!" interposed Ben,
with a headshake. 1.-THE ODDS are strong
| again that
AT present. yes. III admit But we
i can fly false colors and bide our time,
Meanwhile you must cautiously sound
| the briggs men. as we'll as Vail and let
! mo know how they stand"
TN do that, lad"
| Concerning Redlaws designs upon the
women. I'm still ignorant. But shall
| protect them even at the cost of my life.
VIII stay Ina lnLeTlal TuHldi ~ MS
own cabin If he attempts to wrong them
| further. The steward quarters aft, which
is one bad feature in case OF trouble.
| But II Redlaw-'
Hist! some ono comos!"
Walton wheeled like fash. softly
closing tho door: and darting to the
locker from which the pirate lately had
produced bottle and glasses, he hurried
| ly poured drink and raised 1t to his
| lips. So he stood Just draining the glass.
and apparently unconcerncd, when the
dark-visaged italian put In an appearance
| al the cabin door.
AS Walton swung round and faced
him. he caught the momentary change
| that came over the Villains countenarco
His abrupt halt. the suspicious CLEAN of
his evil dark eyes turned involuntarily up4
on the door opposite then swiftly search
ing Walton's facial Indicated to the lat
ter that the odor from the hold had been
detected, and that the scoundrel's mis-,
! gtpings We're aroused
| tfNVjtho,it "A nhonpat NJ coiint ans nca Wal,