, 1909-06-10

Finally / got up. and, to Dade's horror,
re-entered the mates room, returning
with the chart upon which our course
had been pricked up until noon of the
previous day. and spread 1t out across
my knees. l was still engaged in
studying II when Lady Darlington,
fully dressed. emerged from her cab
in. She touched me before | was even
aware Of her presence.
rs Mr.. futile still ill.," she ques-
toned. anxiously. land have you been
on duty all night?"
"The first officer is dead" l an
swered, and mad her sit down beside
NEE. Il will tell o all the facts"
She istened silently, her breath
%quickened from excitement. her face
c~olorless. / dwelt upon the mans
mental condition.. his ghostly hallu-
c%inations. my discovery Of him in the
main cabin. and his ina mao act Of
self-destruction. The very relating OF
the tragic story served to clear my
W mind and strengthen my resolve.
"What-what will this mean to us ~
she questioned, her lips trembling.
WI 1t release us from our bonda"e?
Will 1t result In abandoning this crazy
search after treasurer"
Honestly | DO not know, Lady OAR
lington." | acknowledged with re!uc.
tance. The present attitude of the
crew remains to be discovered. Prac-
tically we are as helpless as before.
My n advantage lies in the fact thai
am the only navigator on board. Yet
they have power to compel me to do
their will. | ann ba;sle against
them Hlo1e."
"Eu' q no longer believe In Tut.
ties s'ory?"
Il never have really believed IL.
But this is not a question of what |
believe: IT all hangs upon the faith Of
the men forward
but If they realize he was insane.
surely they must also decide that his
Treasure ship was likewise a de-
l%usion."
| shook my head. gravely doubling
her conclusion.
Il regret to say / possess no such
expectation. The average sailor, Lady
Darlington, Ia not given to reasoning;
he Is more a creature of impulse. I
fear we are already o. close to our
goal - now be turned back by the
mates d ath. The men will insist on
completing the voyage. | intend to
have the entire crew piped aft after
breakfast, and will talk to them. [
wish you TO go on deck with me at
the time. and hear all that is said |
parsed. intently watching the express
sion of her face. Whatever decision
may be driven to. | hope It will not
forfeit me your respect"
"Oh. no."
You will retain confidence In me.
even If the bow OF the Sea Queen con
i,rues 10 point souihwb,d
SNr lifted her gray eyes 10 mine II
.Iasfa1Owed frankness,
'MfuleYer you think best, 5ir. g.
phons. | shall believe To be g.! h." e.e
81 81 Grded. softly. VIII my trust ! I 3,
yon?"
1t is the one thing needed. Thu
| armed | can fight 1t out"
Tie meal following was far FROM
cheerful. although the bright sun
strealled dow through The deck tran
i oolb ~ laEi Ia 5otdth dio oioiiS tiV
able. as our thoughts would constlnt-
iy recur to that silent figure lying in
! The nearby bunk. While our conyersa
lion was largely about him. n the
consequences of his death.
t1nali". bidding coth Iiistro5s and
maid prepare thcnst Ives for an e-rly
nj 10 h deck. | We Vt forwcrd to tx
ride. T., liey!rg De Nova while lie dc
accrdcd 10 The main cabin for hi
eall.st. The crew had alreG ty CO..
leted heir NJ, al and swarned out o
he i~orecastle. apparently aware tia
some ming was in the wind. | noticet
the various groups, talking earnestly
and felt convinced the crew was en-
deayoring to settle upon some united
| courEe of action. Brutal and I'm
] learned as he was. tho boat3wa,n was ;
| borough sea-lawyeT. Understanding
a'eli how to influence his mated, and
sbth enough at sta..r in this game t.
ytudnr him desl craze. The second
u.aie joined me.
Call all hands aft. Mr.. De Nova"
| stid. after a glance into his face.
\ every man Jack of Il. n. except the
TWO at the wheel. / VIII talk to them
from the rail"
took my position there. with Lady
Darlington and Celeste close at hand,
but somewhat sheltered under the lee
Of the longboat from the singing
wind. The herd came shutting ar,
and ranged themselves awkwaU'ly
enough on the open deck. De Nova
cast his eyes over them. counting,
then climbed the short ladder and
Joined me.
All here, monsieur" Then lowered
his voice. "Mapes was dead in re
fo'c'stle."
'"Mapes! Oh. he was the man who
fill from the f~oreyard?"
"iOui. an II all makes re crew feel
scare