The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-01-05
CHAPTER xxx.
wAvING9s THE LANTERN.

Presumably with the prospect OF
serious work in the evening, Cap
tain Belcher kept himself fairly
sober. Pleading inidsposition, re-
ceived a surly assent fro mthe caps
tain to take my meals on deck.
Belcher seldom addressed me, and
then only in curt monosyllables
such as Fine day." or Fresh
breeze" But the glances cast by
him in my direction made me
tremble for what would come il
"the girl would not make terms"
and l was handed over to him to
act las he pleased, provided was
never heard of again"
And now, as the dusk of evening
fell on the silent, landlocked creek,
! leaned over the bulwarks and
gazed at the clump of trees indi-
Gated in the sealed orders"
Whether the latter were actually
penned by Sir Gideon Marske or
his son, they showed an intimacy
of acquaintance with the locality
which suggested that Roger Mar
ske was their real author. knew
that he had spent much of his idle
life in yachting on the south coast,
and l had once heard him describ-
ing the peculiarities Of this series
of tidal lagoons to Lady Muriel.
Captain Belcher came up from
the cuddy after his evening meal.
Though his sobriety was ominous
of trouble ahead, was thankful for
the moment that he had not re-
peated the indulgence of the prev
ious night. There was still, how
ever, that disQuieting stare in his
evil eyes-a stare to make de-
fenseless woman's blood run cold.
Nice fine night, amt it, missy?
Hope you've been enjoying IT," he
said, comprehending the peaceful
ripple of tho creek and the darken-
ing landscape beyond with sweep
of the hand that had dashed the
niggers" as they were driven over
board to drown.
Il have been enjoying the quiet"
I replied shortly.
"Ah, you're getting at me over
the racket last night he chuckled.
1.-THE ships that Bill Belcher com
mands amt exactly Sunday
schools, as you'll find out when the
trip Is little older. What l was
driving at was that you can't enjoy
the night up here any longer.
Things will be humming on deck
presently, and l must trouble you
to go below to your cabin"
Certainly, I have no desire to
stay" | replied, and moved away
to the companion ladder, pausing
there for a moment to take last
look round. The captain was climb
ing to tho bridge, doubtless to
watch for the signal from the
shore; smoke was beginning to is
sue from the funnel from the fires
which had been banked up all day,
and the yillainous crew were clus-
tering forward. The signs pointed
to preparation for departure, and L
descended to my cabin, glad that its
position would enable me to see
the signal. The portfolio faced the
clump of trees whence presently
would be spelt out the message
that meant so much TO me. Belcher,
in his ignorance that had perused
his Instructions, would not know
that was on guard.
1t was nearly 10 O'Clock. and any
time after the hour the lantern
might be waved. The night was
fine, with three-quarter moon ris-
ing In placid sky. so that the
larger objects on shore were
plainly outlined. Stationing myself
at the portfolio. kept my eyes
fixed on the shore.
Eleven o'clock passed without
the signal being made, and l began
to fear that the third alternative
provided for in Belcher's instruc-
lions would become operative. And
then suddenly. as my watch told
me II was 20 minutes to IL, l
thought that / detected flicker of
light, as of a match being struck
among the trees. l waited breath
lessly. Intense silence had reigned
on deck for the last hour, showing
that Belcher and the crew were
watching for the signal, but now a
hoarse cry from above showed that
the sailors eyes were as sharp as
mine.
The flicker grew into a sharp
flame which, carried by unseen
hands, advanced to the waters
edge and waved:
One. From right to left.
Twice. From left to right.
Thrice. From right to left again
All me! Would there be a fourth
and a fifth and sixth? Would
that hirrid pendulum go on or
cease? My beating heart and ach-
Ing eyes waited for the answer--a
lifetime, 1t seemed, but in reality
only for the second that It took the
wielder OF the lantern to blow 1t
out