Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-05-02

Eukld0Q on tnc nlkn seas.
"Abductin'," reared Captain Tug
giles turning from aft Il like that She
boarded Of her own free will"
Mr. Collier" said Seton. interrupt
ing the captain VINO quickly subsidized
when he saw he was out OF tho game
perhaps you will be good enough
TO assist me to search the ship.
confess that the nautical side OF my
education has been neglected. Where
do you think they are likely 20 be?"
"n they haven't concealed them
selves returned Collier. wen ind
them in the cabin"
"And how do you get 20 the place"
This way" said tho lieutenant
pointing 20 the companion hatchway.
The two stumbled down, bidding the
midsbipman who had accompanied
them 90 watch on the deck aud sum
mon the boats crew at the slightest
evidence Of trouble.
The cabin was dark. since Ellen had
taken the precaution 20 carry the Ian
tern with her. but that seemed %
make no difference TO Mr.. Collier. Bid
ding Seton stay at the foot Of the lad
der. he went from one stateroom 20
another. He tried the doors. opened
most Of them without difficulty, salts
fed himself by a brief inspection Of
each that no one was within. until he
came 90 the room ia which the women
had retired 90 rest This door was
locked. lie felt for a key. There was
none there lie shook the door. beat
upon it with his Est, called out. but
there was no answer.
They'll be there" he said. cor per
haps in The captains room which
should be aft"
lie turned to the door Of the thwart.
ship bulkhead and found 60 too was
locked.
Wen go on deck. Fl you please.
Sir Charles" said the officer. and
interview the captain again"
They found Tuggles waiting by the
companion hatch. His curiosity had
drawn him 20 a point whence he could
see and hear the expected explosion
Captain" BEGAN the lieutenant AL
the cabins but two are unlocked. We
want the keys for those two"
'T haven't got no keys" answered
the captain. curtly "If they're locked
which two be they2"
zone IS the after cabin on the port
side; the other is. take 80, your own"
My OWE amt locked"
Il beg your pardon. I've just tried
the door. You can 80 below and SEQ
fer yourself Perhaps you'd better
bring us q light"
Captain Tuggies would have let
them grope in the darkness forever
had &c not been for The complication
OF his own locked door.
A light was brought from the galley
by the cabin boy and the three went
below again. Captain Tugglcs plunged
to tho door Of his own cabin. turned
tho handle confidently. Sure enough
IL was locked
you see?" said Mr. Collier.
Il see. but don't understand" said
the captain. Those two females went
into this cabin. I showed them in
there myself"
lie pointed 90 the locked door
And that's locked. too. Now. cap
tain. we are determined TO get in
those two cabins and we don't want
90 DO any unnecessary damage 60 your
ship. Have you q carpenter on
board2"
eyes" grovlod the captain
"Thcn you'd better send for him. for
o. you don't. ] shall De under the pain
ful necessity of blowing open the
locks"
The captain ran up the ladder aud
babe the second matc-both mates
had boon on deck during the episode
send che carpenter arr with some
tools for forcing locks Presently a
erizzled old veteran presented himself
in the cabin and by Captain Tusgles'
direction soon forced The lock OF the
statcroom. Taking n lantern Seton
vent into the room which had been oc-
cup.ed by the young women. Il was
empty. Both hunks had been slept IN.
however and on the floor lay Elien's
sword. belt AID pistols where she had
left them.
They were here. that's certain"
he said. turning 20 Mr. Collier.
They've probably gone into the
captains cabin"
What for, / wonder" growled the
American.
Wen soon see" returned Collier
Have the carpenter open that door
also"
After fumbling few moments the
carpenter forced open the last door
Again Seton entered, followed by the
other two. There was no one there.
The captains ego was attracted BY
the open stern window. lie started,
opened his mouth 20 say something,
thought better upon It and stopped.
But there We're two pairs OF eyes in
the cabin just as sharp as those Of
worthy Master Tuggles. One pair be-
longed 20 the sailor. Collier. too.
noticed the open stern window and he
at once pointed II out 20 Seton.
Il see 1t all now" he said. Some
thing must have alarmed them. They
left their own cabin. locked II 10 keep
US busy and give themselves time.
came IN here and went overheard
through the stern window"
Overheard into what2" cried Sir
Charles in dismay you don't think
they've committed suicide?"
CnfTf.- T..~I.E