The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-01-08
c8rER XXI
A FIGHT AGAINST TIME

standing there, and how much had
he overheard? l began to tremble
violently, but with characteristic
readiness Herzog stepped to the
front, and, shielding me with his
broad person, turned the awkward
question aside with Jest. The
individual to whom he had applied
such harsh term, he avowed, was
the steward Antonio, who had only
given him a teacupful of water to
wash in.
Belcher scowled and muttered,
but went on to say that the tide
served, and to inquire whether Her
zog wanted to be put ashore at
that point, or whether he was 60
ing on in the steamer.
The question did not elicit an
immediate reply, for Herzog capped
1t with another: You are bound,
in ballast, for Barcelona, under
stand from Mr.. Marske-to fetch
home cargo of fruit?"
you've hit 1t, mister-first
time" assented Belcher gruffiy.
Very well, then there is your
program" proceeded Herzog. Il
have made terms with this young
lady on behalf of my principals and
yours. You will therefore start i'm
mediately, and, shaping your course
inside the Isle of Wight at your
best speed, you will land Miss
Chilmark in one Of your own boats
at the pier of Totland bay. I my
self will enpoy the pleasure Of
your company considerably longer,
captain, for l propose to 60 on
with you to Barcelona"
Belcher had been staring at him
open mouthed, but now his jaw
closed with an ugly snap, and he
seemed on the point of an angry
outbreak. had been thinking Of
Arthur and Arthur's safety hither-
to, but now l was free to rejoice
at the near prospect Of escape from
this wild animals domain. His
visible disappointment at that mo-
ment brought home to me how
doubly grateful l ought to be for
Herzog's Intervention. Had been
the passenger to make the voyage
I could see that the waves would
have been my best friends before
we were out of the channel. So
told myself in the exaltation of the
moment, without rejecting that as
long as-I was ON board the Night
shade such congratulations might
be premature.
Belcher for the present re-
strained his wrath, and, muttering
that he would go and get the
anchor up, turned on his heel and
went forward to the bridge. Short
ly the steaWsx began to move, and
as she crcpt Slowly from creek to
creek out to the open sea, Herzog
filled in the blanks of his narra-
tive.
He told me how Roger Marske
had attempted to murder Arthur;
how. fearing that. as he had failed
to silence my lover by that direct
method, Marske would take meas
ures to have him recaptured, he,
Herzog, had hidden him in a va
cant house and had started to try
and trace me and procure evidence
against Marske. He had intended
to see Arthur again before leaving
Totland, to take food to him, but
: finding that Marske was leaving
for London by the first boat he
had had to alter his plans In a
hurry.
Instead Of going in person he had
been compelled to trust local
fisherman named Croal with the
duty Of conveying provisions to
Arthurs retreat. The limited con-
fldence he had to place in this
man was disquieting, but he hoped
and believed that the man was
both stupid and trustworthy, and
would not betray the trust. He had
enlisted Goals sympathies by tell
ing him that Arthur was run
away debtor, and 1t was hardly
likely that the fisherman would
connect the case with the fugitive
convict who was supposed to be
on his way to America. At any
rate, II was the best he could do,
as 1t was imperative not to lose
sight of Roger Marske. Only by
sticking to him could he learn my
whereabouts.
With persistent cleverness he
had carried out that self imposed
task, travelling up to London in
Roger Marshes company. Marske
of course. had heard from him al
ready that Arthur's escape had
been arranged by Sir Gideon; and
doubtless, his father, on the mem
orable night at Marske hall, had
supplemented the information, sc
that Herzog had no difficulty In ap
preaching the matter. He had
therefore Informed Roger Marske
WAT he knew already, that the af
fair which had caused Arthur's re