The Delta independent., 1910-09-23

changed a few words with the relief
and led Orme down to the breakwa'
ter. The launch which was moore1
there proved to be a sturdy boa'.
built for strength rather than for
speed.
Orme cast OF while Porter removed
the tarpaulin from the motor and
made ready to turn the wheel over.
"Is the policeman still busy with
the Jap?" Orme questioned sud:
denly
"Yes."
"He won't get anything out of
him." said Orme-"except fairy.
stories"
Porter started the motor and
stepped forward to the steering
wheel. Slowly the launch pushed out
into the open lake. and the lights OF
the shore receded.
No sound had come from the dis
abled boat since its motor stopped.
Doubtless It was too far on for the
noise of repairs to be heard on the
shore. Orme peered over the dark
surface of the water. but he could see
nothing except the lights OF a dis
tant steamer.
"I know why he went out so far"
remarked Porter. "He is running
without lights"
f'That in itself Is suspicious. isn't
it?" Orme asked.
Why. yes. l suppose so-though
people aren't always as careful as
Tiny might be. Our own lights aren't
lighted you see.'
Have you any clue at all as to
where she is?"
only from the direction the
sounds came from just before the ex-
plosions stopped She had headway
enough to slide some distance after
that. and I'm allowing for it-and for
the currents. With the lake as it is.
she would be carried in a little"
For nearly half an hour they contin-
ued straight out toward mid-lake.
Orme noticed that there was a slight
swell The lights of Evanston were
now mere twinkling distant points.
far away over the dark void of the
waters.
Porter shut OFF the power. I'VE
must be pretty near her" he said.
They listened intently
Perhaps ! steered too far SOUTH"
said Porter at last
He threw on the power, and sent
the boat northward in slow. wide
circles. The distant steamship had
made progress toward the northeast
bound. perhaps. for Muskegon. or
some other port on the Michigan
shore. She was a passenger steam
er. apparently. for lines OF portfolios
al deckwindows were marked by
dots of light There was no other
sign of hu.sLn presence to be seen OIL
the lake, and Ormes glance ex-
pectantly wandered to her lights now
spd then.
AT last. while he was looking at It.
after q fruitless search of the dark
ness. he was startled by = strange
phenomenon. The lights of the
steamer suddenly disappeared. An
instant later they shone out again.
With an exclamation. Orme seized
the steering heel and swung It over
to the right.
There she is," he cried, and then:
Excuse me for taking the wheel that
way. but l was afraid I'D lose her"
Il don't see her." said Porter.
NO: but something dark cut OF
the lights of that steamer. Hold her
So" He let 60 the wheel and peered
ahead.
Presently they both saw a spot OF
blacker blackness in the night. Por-
ter set the motor At half-speed
"Have you got . bull's-eye lanternr'
asked Orme in an undertone.
Yes. in that locker"
Orme stopped and lighted the Ian
tern in the shelter of the locker.
Now run up alongside" he said.
"and ask II they need help"
The outline of the disabled boat
now grew more distinct Porter
swung around toward It and called:
Need help?"
piled:
Yes. You tow me to Chicago. !
pay you"
1t was q voice which Orme recog
inzed as that Of the Japanese who
had been with Maku In tho attack
st the Pere Marquette.
Cant do that" answered Porter.
"I'll take you In to Evanston"
mo" The tone was expostula-
tory. II go to Chicago. ix engine
pretty soon"
At this moment Orme raised his
lantern and directed It's light into tho
other boat. II shone into the blinking
eyes Of the Japanese. standing BY the
motor. II shone-
Great Heaven! Was he dreaming
Orme could not believe his eyes. Tho
light revealed the face Of tho one
person he least expected to see-for.
seated on . cushion at the forward