, 1909-06-03

twice before we came to the grip. IT
seemed to me he possessed the
strength of a dozen men, yet / got my
fingers In his neckband, and we went
crashing down together on the deck.
AS we struck he went suddenly limp.
up DULY at h light. I held him thus
in my grip an instant. s%uspecting some
trick; then. as he never moved. 1 drew
him up until his shoulders rested
against h e support Of . chair.
What is 1t, man?" I questioned. anx-
fously. What has happened? Are
you sick?"
He made no response, gave not the
slightest sign that he even heard me.
poured out a glass Of liquor, held 1t
to his lips, and he gulped it down. but
seemingly in a stupor.
Come along" I said, sternly, really
ing that my will must dominate his. II
would move him to action. Il am
going to take you to YOU berth, and
make you lie down. You are sick. and
need rest. Get up. now"
He attempted NO resistance as /
lifted him, even clinging to the chair
for support, his entire body shaking
like a jelly fish. l braced him in
through the open door. tumbled him
over into the bunk, and he lay there,
staring straight up with unwinking
eyes, his face az yellow as parchment.
He was completely dressed for the
deck, his psar5acket buttonsd to the
-eavy sea-boots o. ]
! f.c one. drew off the others.
door, and left him there alone.
W. clear enough he had again be
Id the ghost. but how came he TO be
lilly dressed, his clothing still wet
with the salt spray? Breathing hard
from he exertion, ! glanced c%uriously
at my watch to note the hour. Barely
two O'Clock. Why, it was his trick on
deck; he had deserted his position to
come below. The Sea Queen vas rush
ing through the gloom with no officer
on the bridge. De Nova would be in his
bunk asleep. I sprang to my W
ROOM, n hastily finished dressing.
fully determined on standing out Tut
Ties watch on deck. AS l came forth
again into the main cabin, winding a
muffler about my throat, a vision in
white fronted me, grasping the table
to keep from falling.
What is 1t, Mr.. Stephens? What
has happeued?"
Nothing that need In any way
alarm YOU" and as the vessel gave a
~sickeniEg plunge. and her eyes opened
in apprehension. 1 caught her arm Arm
ly. Truly. believe me, there is no
danger, Mr.. futile has been suddenly
taken Ill, and l am going to relieve
him on watch. You have confidence in
me, lave you not?"
Her eyes searched my face earnest
ly. the gray depths full u anxiety.
"Oh, yes"
Then now is the time to show 1t.
| shai remain on deck, probably. until
morning. l wish you to go back. lie
down and rest. Let me assist you TO
'eturn TO your stateroom."
| | held her closely to me. so closely
could feel the throb of her breathing,
he warmth of her flesh, realizing that
she was c~linging to me in utter forget
fulness. Only at the door did she
draw away slightly. yet even then
Sith her hands clasping my arm, her
hands clasping my arm, her eyes
gazing directly into mine.
You have told me all?"
"All of the slightest importance;
the details car wait daylight. l ask
o to confide in me now, and sleep.
May | have your promise?"
There was something mystifytng in
hose gray eyes | had never perceived
before, and she caught her breath in a
quick sob.
Yes" she replied. simply. her
lashes dropping. you may have my
promise"
On deck l discovered the yacht Ia
boring desperately in a heavy cross
sea, the sky clear, and two men strain
ing at the wheel. In spite Of the star
shine. they were so bundled up h a l
their faces before I could recognize
either.
Mr.. futile has been taken sick and
gone to his BERTH" | explained briefly.
Il will serve out his watch. What
purse have you?"
"Sou.sou'-east by SOU, sir"
1 glanced inquiringly at the compass
card, and then forward, sweeping the
seas with my glasses. There was no
ice in sight, but the bitter cold Of the
air vas sufficient proof Of plenty not
far away
when did Mr.. Tuttle 20 att" I
asked.
Bout 30 minutes ago, sir"
Did he leave any word?"
nHn nauar said nnIhin > did he bill