The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-12-29

CHAPTER XI.
Continued.

hand and pressed it silently. Vic
turned from the ave fire and started
on her errand.
She splashed through the channel
and plunged into the low, thick wood
beyond. When she came in sight OF
the stone house alight was still burn
ing in Mrs. Trevor's chamber.
"Is the poor lady there, ! won
der?" thought Vic.
Cautiously she skirted the beach,
but nowhere discovered life or move
ment. The mournful moon was wad-
ing through torn clouds. At the pier
lay the sloop, darkly outlined in the
uncertain light. Like a cat, Vic crept
along the new ground to Joe
Raby's hut.
The place was black and silent. A
mufied sound. Of snoring issued from
within. The door was without a lock
who on Deadman's Island would
modest the skipper? Vic lifted the
latch. 1t clicked slightly and her
heart seemed to stop beating. Fur
lively she looked into the hut.
In the bunk against the wall lay
the skipper. His s%tertorous breath
ing testified to the depths of his sum-
bers. Vic noted a cloth spread care
fully over his face-plainly his
wounds we're not yet healed. On a
stool beside the bunk lay a loaded
pistol. 1t seemed that Mr.. Raby did
not altogether trust his friends. The
moonlight, stealing through the win
dow, showned the remnants Of a sup
per left on the table-fsh, potatoes
and a loaf of bread. Vic stole to the
bunk-her hand closed upon the pis-
tol-she slipped it into the pocket
Of her gown. Then she gathered up
the food from the table. The slight
est sound would have aroused the
sleeper, but: Vic made no sound. She
knew her business. On her silence
more than one life depended. She
glided like a shadow, out Of the hut
and noiselessly closed the door be-
hind her.
Thus far all was we'll. But, look
ing toward the stone house, Vic saw
the light still burning in Mrs. Ire
vor's chamber, and she promptly
flung prudence to the winds. She
must know if the poor lady was there
If she stood in need Of help-she
must carry some news Of her back to
the cayei Vic ran along the rocky
road to that irresistible light. Gath
ering up some small pebbles, she
flung them against Mrs. Trevor's win
dow. The curtain seemed to sway a
little, but no one looked forth. She
was STOPPING for a second handful,
when some one grasped her shoulder
rudeIy.
What are you doing?" demanded
an angry voice.
Vic lifted herself and looked
straight into the eyes of Philip Ire
vor.
She was fairly caught! The little
stones, flung to invoke a sight OF
Mrs. Trevor, had brought upon her
the man whom she feared above all
others on Deadman's Island. Even
in that first terrified moment she saw
that his appearance was harried and
distraught. His face, in the moon
light, seemed worm, lean, cadaverous.
His old elegance Of figure and bear
ing had entirely disappeared. He
gave her a rough shake.
"Ha," he said, this is the girl who
ran away from my house with Miss
Hatton."
Vic rallied bravely.
Yes, I did leave rather sudden,
sir" she answered; II didn't even
stop for my money-you " me a
months pay. This is Mrs. Trevor's
windows she in her chamber, sir?
I want to speak to her."
He glanced furtively up at the
light. then pushed Vic smartly
around a corner Of the house.
DO you?" he said, grimly; Course
your impudence! Mrs. Trevor re-
ceiyes no visitors. This way-our
voices may disturb her. Now, where
sre you hiding with Miss Hatton?"
In a good place, sir"
ION the islanG?"
LOT, yes; we cant get off it with
out fns-we've no boat. Besides,
you sent Peter to tell the young lady
you wanted to see her again. She's
going to give you another inter-
view"
He started violently.
81 sent Peter? Never!"
He brought the message-I heard
1t myself. He said you was ready
to settle with Miss Hatton on her own
terms"
Trevor let fall an imprecation.
Il have given Peter no messages.
Fool! Did that girl think I locked
her in her room-that I tried to keep
her on Deadman's? If she returns
to this house it will be at her peril!'
Vic grinned provokingly.
Its likely Miss Hatton supposed
the master was responsible for the
man. Anyway, she'll be sure to come,
Say, how's Peters arm, sir?"
Trevor glowered at her in the
moonlight.
who battered the fellow in that
way? Not you-though l know you
to be 4 brazen creature"
"Lor', no." replied Vic, modeStly
"I'd have dearly loved the JOB, but
wasn't equal to it. Didn't he tel
you? Nor Joe, either? Twas done
by a gentleman you know we'll, sir