, 1909-05-13

"You-Why, You Are a Robber, a
Pirate!r
can accomplish. shall be done to save
you from punishment. Prove to me
that you words are not false"
hesitated, doubt and suspicion
rendering me totally incapable of clear
thinking before her insistent demand
Her face grew whittier as she marked
my silence.
$50 you-you lied, them" the cruel
words faltered from between her lips
almost unconsciously.
No, l spoke the truth" | answered.
gripping myself sternly, but / ques-
ton my power"
Your power? Why, you just in.
formed me you were in command"
l advanced a step forward. my man.
ner respectful enough. yet she half
shrank back from my approach and
brought the protection of the chair be-
tween US.
Perhaps / may never succeed in
making o clearly comprehend my
present position | said, soberly. yet
] intend to try, because, in truth, l
ned your assistance as greatly as yuu
need mine. Twenty minutes asu
Lady Darlington, 1t was true / ne
lieved myself to be in absolute COM
mand of this vessel. Now | graveIy
suspect whether / may not be a mere
puppet, helpless in the hands of otn-
ers. AS l have already e~ndeavored TO
explain, it was comparatively easy for
me to mistake this yacht for the Es-
meralda. They are very much alike,
and 1 had enjoyed no opportunity for
closely observing either. But ii is i'm
possible for me to conceive how the
others of my party could have limo
Gently made such an error. What
project they may have had in mind 1
cannot wen guess, but | believe o
the Sea Queen was deliberately CAP
tured, and that | have been deccye,
into the leadership of an act of piracy.
If so, then | am only II man pitted
against 20. What | may accomplish
/ have at present no means OF know
ing. / must see the others, endsavCi
to discover their secret purpose. and
learn whether or not | possess any
real authority on board. Lady Darling
ton, do you at least comprehend wha
ultdll. bO i DlGht II Cltil u ~
that l am in a position scarcely less
perilous than your own"
With lips parted and hands clencheS
over her heaving breast h stooc
silent, apparently deeply aroused b!
my earnest appeal, yet totally unable
to repose full confluence in me. fe,
her very hesitancy was to me an en-
enlargement.
You certainly have every reason to
doubt me at present, madam, !
urged, with increased confidence, 'ye.
| mean to prove myself worthy your
trust by deeds rather than words.
Will you consent to do as l wish, al
least for the moment?"
She did not appear to know what
she had better do or say, her glance
wandering in uncertainty from my
face to the questioning eyes of the
maid. The latter leaned forward will
some eagerness.
Surely it is best to say oui, mad
anne; re man has re look honorable,
her hands gesticulating despair. An
on re Who'll ship zere was no one else
to help us"
"As you say, Celeste. there is no
choice" and Lady D~arlington's gray
eyes again sought mine reluctantly.
II sincerely desire to repose complete
confidence in you; to believe you
worthy. What is it you wish us
to dc?"
Merely to remain where o are,
beyond the observation OF Others until
can ascertain the exact truth OF our
situation. So soon as | learn TINS,
shall return with the information VIII
you accede TO this?
She lowered her head slightly. in
silent acquiescence, and. still racing
them both, / backed out OF the room
and closed he door.