Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-23
CHAPTER III-Continued.

Warden dived into the small cabin,
rummaged in a box and produced two
revolvers. He examined both weapons
carefully under the cutters light, and as
certaind that they were properly loaded
whereupon one went into each of the
outer pockets of his coat.
Now take me to the Sans Souci
Peter" he said. when 1 reach the
gangway, pull off a couple of lengths and
stand BY"
Whats doin?" asked Peter. who was
by no means unobservant.
Nothing. hope. 1 may have to talk
big, and twelve ounces of lead lend
weight to an argument. But 1 am puz-
zled. Peter, and I hate that condition.
You remember our niger friend on the
gourd?''
Remember i'm. Shall I ever forget
m?"-and the exploit spat.
well. three live members Of his tribe.
and the worst Portuguese slave-trader
Africa. have just boarded the Sans Souci.
don't consider them fit company for
Miss Dane. What do'you say?'
Peter hung on the oars.
wy not let Chris come an look after
the dinghy?" he said. You may need
friendly hand wen the band plays.
Warden laughed.
I'VE are in England. Peter" he replied;
but the words had far less convincing
sound in his ears now than when he pro-
tested against Evelyn Danes unreason-
ing detestation of the carved gourd. One
of the weapons in his pockets was actu-
ally resting on the cracking skin of
man who had been f1ayed alive-and most
negroes who were on board the Sans
Souci at that instant. The thought
strengthened his determination to see and
speak to the girl that night. At all costs
he would persevere until she herself as
sured him that she had no wish to go
ashore. He even made up his mind to
persuade her to return to Portsmouth for
the night, and it seemed to him that no
consideration could move him from his
purpose.
Whereat Lachesis. she who spins the
thread of life, must have smiled. Short
as was the distance to be traversed by
the dinghy under the impetus of Peter
Evans strong arms. the cruel goddess
had already contrived the warp and welt
of circumstances that would deter even a
holder man than Warden from thrustfng
himself unbidden into the queer company
gathered on the yacht.
The pilot was pulling straight to the
gangway. when a large steam launch
whistled an angry warning that he was
crossing her bows. He twisted the dinghy
broadside on, and both Warden and he
saw two officers in the uniform of for
way, where Baumgartner, bare-headed
and obsequious of manner, was standing
to receive them.
The Nancy's. boat was so near that her
occupants could hear the millionaire's
words distinctly as he greeted the first of
his two latest visitors He spoke in Ger
man, and Peter was none the wiser. but
Warden understood. and his Grant fears
for Evelyn Danes welfare were promptly
merged in a very ocean of bewilderment.
1.-THE Nancy for u.s. Peter he muir
INJURED. LAS they say in the states. 1
have bitten off more than I can chew.
Do you know who that is?''
'Which?-the little one?"
Yes"
''Mebbe he's the skipper of the Dutch
man yonder. That's her launch"
HE is skipper of many Dutchmen.
Mr.. Baumgartner addressed him as EN-
peror.' Give way, Peter. We must watch
and exc pray. but there are affairs afoot-|
or shall I say afioat-that, it behooves
not a simple official in the Nigeria Pro-
tectorate to NEEDLE with. God wot! 1
have earned captaincy and a years
leave by serving my country in a hum
BILE capacity Let me not lose both by
an act Of lese majestic. and it would be
none else were 1 to break In on the re-
markable conclave now assembled. on
board the Sans Souci!'