The Washington times., 1905-12-10


But he got no further. M cousfn.s
long arm shot out. gripping his collar
firmly from behind. With a gentle
heave. he swung the professor FROM
his feet and dropped him behind Us
Please to keep silence. Professor
Marnac. Your explanations miesbt ha
somewhat biased" said he. with a erim
smile. And then turning 70 the sailors
who had been watching the little scene
with evident surprise
do none of you speak English?" he
asked
They seemed to understand the oues-
tion, for some talk, eked out By much
gesticulation. ended in one Of their
: number trottins up the ladder to the
bridge. where ne disappeared into the
wheelhouse. An instant later long.
red-headed man emerged and came
running towards US.
And shure wud Oh not have greeted
yer honors before now" he exclaimed
in the most strenuous or brogues. 'sbut
twas me trick at the wheel. and niver
a man of these spel..ee wud relieve
me. An what can OF do fer ye now
at all?''
What boat is this?''
firm Buenos Ayres to Hamburg, wild
a mixed cargo. and a darned mixed
crew, sorr. If II hadn.t been fer a
back answer whin the wine was in
me, faithI it's not in this greasy fiat
ir-ron that Tim Blake wrud be after
serving"
DO you speak the language, my
mann"
"Indade an OF do. sor-; an good raj
son, seein' thot tits foYTrr years come
Christmas that Owe been steward on
tn yacht iv wan iv tn Portugaise no
blity.
That's good news. And now where
is the captain?"
''FaithI but twas a Jool iv time we
were after havin' IN the bay last night.
sorr. an the old mans turned In. The
second mate has gone aft, gatherin' his
courage in both hands fer TO wake
him. Indade, sorr, It's a r-resolution
that wud put the fear iv the Lord into
a better man than him"
Rather a Tartar. eh?"
"A strong man. sorr. an a good sea-
man fer greaser. though his temper
is most pro-digious. But see here he
comes, like dook out iv a theaIer2'
He was indeed a fine figure OF a man,
fully six feet in height and proportion
ately broad. His skin was very dark
and his eyes of the deep blackness that
] have since observed in Indian races.
but very soft and glowing His hair.
which he wore at a greater length
than is customary amongst sailors
showed under his cap in glossy curls:
and his mustache was twisted back
almost TO his ears
He bowed TO us with a deliberate
courtesy, muttering a greeting IN his
own tongue. He spoke no English, and
IT was through the medium of Tim
Blake that he offered us hospitality
II was no time for explanations so.
guarding Marnac between us. we hur-
ried down to large cabin where warm
garments and steaming glasses of hot
brandy and water were brought by the
worthy Irishman. 10 whose care we
had been assigned. AS far as could be
judged, l had not contracted so much
cold in the head. despite my long ex-
posure. When We had completed our
change of clothes, my cousin beckoned
me outside the cabin, closing the door
on our prisoner.
II have asked Blake TO take me 10
the captain, for it is right that he
fairs" he whispered. While L am gone.
you must sit with Marnac Remember.
do not let him out of your sight for a
moment"
Very WE'LL said and he strode off
down the dark alley of the passageway.
When l re-entered the cabin 1 found
Marnac muffied 10 the chin. under the
blankets OF the bunk He gave me one
OF his quick. evil glances. that was un-
pleasantly reminiscent OF an aged rat
surprised in an iron gin. 1 had so
great horror and detestation of the
man that his mere presence was a
source OF physical discomfort TO me:
and when sitting up among his
wraps, he commenced to pester me
with questions L could endure it no
longer. l retired outside the cabin
seating myself with by back 10 the
door. 1 was as well there, 1 argued.
as in the interior. and in a position
infinitely more satisfactory 10 myself
The garments they had lent me were
thick and warm; the dose OF brandy
had been considerable. I was weary
from the toll OF a sleepless night.
Those are my excuses for the fact that
i'm the next i've minutes l fell sorndIy,
asleep
1t was Graden who awoke me. 4
very angry and exasperated Graden
who shook my senses into with unnec
essary violence. I started up. pro-
testing against his treatment.
Il thought better OF you than this i"
he said, with his hand stiIl fixed mn nv
collar.
My back was against the door. He
could not pass without waking me.
What does II matter2' | grunbled.
with every sign of irritation.
II told you 10 watch him to stay
inside the cabin, and l find you snor-
ing here. No more excuses. please.
You know the ability of the man. Let
US hope he has not taken advantage
or any chances you gave him
lie opened the door cautiously. peep
ed In, and then flung it wide with a
great oath The cabin was empty
Yet there was no doubt as 20 his
manner Of escape. In the middle of
the flooring there gaped a little hole.
With heavy square of wood lying be-
side II. on examination we found that
this entrance had also been barred by
a grating. which now swung down
wards on its hinges. disclosing a wood
en- ladder the foot of which was indis-
tinguishabIe I'm the gloom below