The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-12-29
CHAPTER XIV.

fascination until he disappeared
Il through the door Of the cabin. |
could guess what 1t had cost him
10 silrag himself from his bed, what
agony Of apprehension must have been
upon him to make him take the risk.
The Jourdains, puzzled at my not re-
turning, unable to keep silence. sus-
pecting, perhaps, some plot against
themselves, had doubtless gone to the
hospital and told him Of my appear
ance-thcre had been no way for me
to guard against that. He had easily
guessed the rest. He had only to con-
suit the passenger list to assure him
self that Mr.. Royce and I We're aboard,
And he was following us, hoping
what? What could n man In his con-
uition hope to accomplish? What need
was there for us to fear him2 And yet
there was something about him-some.
thing In the atmosphere Of the man
that almost terrified me.
l came back to earth to find that
Royce and Mrs. Kemball had drifted
away together and that my companion
was regarding me from under half
closed lids with little smile Of
amusement.
$50 you're awake again, Mr.. Les
terf' she asked. "Do you often suffer
attacks Of that sort?"
Pardon me-" I stammered. '.The
fact Is, III
You looked quite dismayed," she
continued relentlessly. "You seemed
positively horror stricken. 1 saw moth
ing formidable about him."
mo, you don't know him!" l retort-
ell and stopped, lest I should say toe
much.
II think we'd better sit down." she
said, smiling. "Your knees seem to lie
still somewhat shaky"
SO we sought seat near the stern,
where we could watch the city sink
gradually away IN the distance as tho
great boat glidcd Smoothly out into
the bay.
/ confess I was worried. l had not
thought for moment that Martigny
would have the temerity to board the
same boat with us-yct it was not so
wonderful after all, since he could not
guess that l suspected him, that
Encw him and Bcthune to be the same
person. That was my great advantage
In any event we were in no danger
from him. He was probably following
us only that he might warn his confed-
crates, should we seem likely to dis
cover them. Certainly they were in no
present danger Of discovery. and per-
haps might never be. But his following
us, his disregard Of the grave danger
to himself, gave me new measure OF
his savage determination to battle us.
] found myself more and more begin
ming to fear>him.
Should l inform Mr.. Royce of this
new development? l asked snysclf.
Then remembered the doctors words.
He must have rest and quiet during the
, coming week.
Il trust that I'm not in the way, Mr..
Lcster!" inquired low, provoking
voice at my side, and / awoke to the
fact that I had again been guilty of
forgetting my companion.
Miss Kemball," began desperately,
'let me confess that I'm in an exceed
ingly yexatiOus situation. The fact
that can't ask advice makes it worse"
You can't ask even Mr.. Royce" she
queried, with raised brows.
HE least of ALL You see, he's just
recovering from severe nervous
breakdown"
II see," she nodded.
/ glanced at her again-at the open,
candid eyes, the forceful mouth and
chin-and / took sudden resolution.
Miss Kemball," / said "I'm going
to ask your help-that is, If may"
"Of course You may"
well, then, that man who came on
board last Is the inveterate enemy of
both Mr.. Royce and myself. We're
trying to unearth particularly afro
cious piece of villainy in which he's
concerned. I have reason to believe
him capable OF anything and very
fiend Of cieverness. / don't know what
he may plot against us, but I'm certain
he'll plot something. Mr.. Royce doesn't
even know him by sight and shouldn't
be worried, but unless he's forewarned
he may walk right into danger. want
you to help me keep an eye ON him--to
help .me keep him out Of danger. WIN