Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-09

order OF witnesses they were to be remained
for the moment matter OF con lecture. Per-
haps the countenance of Beasley might be
used prirna facie evldence.-for certainly
his battered features might be marked "Ex-
hibit A to Z,-but the Judge employed his
witnesses for very different purpose.
Mr.. Beasley," he said suddenly, while
pointing stern. accusing finger at the South
erner, put that man In lrons!
THE order came like the bursting of shell.
Valda cried out hoarsely and leaned tor
support against the rosewood paneling, while
Polly and Aunt Mary. in the dining room
beyond. chung trembling, in each Others
arms. The masculine spectators stared as If
petrifed, and the Southerner alone seemed
reused to action. He flung up his chm IN the
manner of horse spurred cruelty ms Cheeks
grew crimson; and his lips were set IN a tight,
Spitfre's owner to Morson-Brown IN respectful
hestation.-a respect for physical predomi-
nance rather than the mental
II beg pardon, Mr.. Girard," he muttered;
but we have no irons on board, sir =
The old mans fist again came down on the
table as he beloved at Beasley, Then do 1T
with a rope. YOU fool! don't care hang tor
your. details! Truss him up, and be quick
about it,"
Once more the mate hesitated IN executing
orders. He looked at the lean slneWy athiete
who had backed against the wall, and feit M
stinctively that another grapevine on the
point of his aching jaw was a thing that ne
could not even bear to contemplate; AS ior
the two brawny seamen Burruss and Connor,
they had no quarrel with 'Browny" and also
felt little out of his class with reference to
technical hooks and swings and things; but
again the Spitfire's master roared his Orders
and the three men began to close IN very
cautiously 7.
:. There might have been very pretty row
indeed, except that the close mouthed Tracy
took a hand. That man. up to the present
moment, had failed to sparkle with any degree
of executive ability; yet now he almost proved
his claim as an officer of the law and a man OF
resource. He wasted no time by opening his
mouth. but whipped out short barreed ugly
six-shooter and pointed it at the head OF the
troublesome member.
The Southerner smiled placidly into the
yawn of the .38, advanced step and began to
lift his arms in the additionally accepted
fashion of one who gives up hope. together with
his other valuables: but suddenly one half
raised hand was pointed to portfolio oppo-
site.
"Lools!" he cried, and Tracy turned his
head and looked.
Now there was nothing unusual in the ap-
pearance of this particular portfolio, and so the
secretary found it: but in that instant of
startled curiosity his weapon was gathered
deity from his fist, though one of its charges
impaired the usefulness of a transom overhead.
This was rather Notifying to an officer of the
law especially since his own clumslness had
provided the prisoner with loaded pistol,
allowing him once more to back against the
wall smiling master of the situation.
Ormond himself was armed but was also
equipped with understanding. He had visited
in the West, and there acquired reverence
for certain hygienc laws causing him to regard
the present occasion as trife inopportune for
the display of his own artillery.
This moral reserve, however, was rendered
useless by the actions of Morson-Brown, which
were strange. to put it mildly. He turned to
Valda, as if waiting for her to speak in his de-
Tense. or if not to help him. to give some sign.
at least, to guide his future course but she
deliberately turned her head away and refused
to meet his gaze. The Southerner seemed
troubled He sighed in regretful resignation.
then slowly elected the cartridges from Tracys
pistol pocketed them and tossed the empty
weapon on the table
Things like that" he remarked casually.
"are sometimes likely to get their owners into
trouble" He turned to the former owner and
added. in still more quiet tone, y ou might
have injured one of the ladies, Mr. Tracy-or
your own prospects.
This time the spectators were more aston
ished than ever for the was literally
throwing away his chances as master OF the
field; but greater surprise was Yet IN store
for them. Morson-Brown stepped quietly
toward the mate and held out his wrists for the
cords that should bind him fast, submitting
tnct