Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-07-08
CHAPTER I.

Mr.. CILLETTS CHAHGE.
WTMY all means, m'deah, let's 60
" down between decks and
u have a look at them"
"Of course, If you wish.
Sir Charles. although Do you think
We shall be edited, Mr.. Gillett"
THAT depends. m'lady"-and the
speaker, u man with official manners
and ferret-like eyes. shifted from one
foot to another-"on what degree or
particular class of criminal your lady
ship would be interested In. If In the
ordinary category of skittle sharper or
thimblerigger," with q suspicion Of
mild scorn, then l do not imagine
your ladyship would find much attrac-
ton in the present cargo. But. on the
other hand" in nvelier tone. IF your
ladyship has any curiosity-or shall we
say a psychological bent?-regarding
the real out and outer the excursion
should be to your liking. for" rubbing
his hands, "a prOperer lot Of cut
thrOats and bad magsnsen 1t has never
been my privilege to escort across the
equator. and this is my sixth trip to
Australia"
How interesting-how very inter-
estingv' The lady's voice foated Ian
guidly. -Sir Charles is quite right
We must really go down. At any rate.
1t will be a change af' er having been
shut up SO long In tina terrible state
room"
Zone moment, m'lad.'. There's q lit
tie formality that mt 1t Ne observed
first. No one allowed on the prison
ers' deck without the captains permits
sion. There he Is nov"
Then lie good enough to beckon to
him." said the lady.
But this Mr.. Gillett. agent of the po-
lice, discreetly declined to do. Captain
Macpherson was man not to be beck
Oned to by any one. much less by him.
'Sir Charles and lady and Sir
Charles party have expressed. Cap
tain Macpherson. the desire to obtain
permission to visit the prisoners
deck" said Gillett.
Captain Macpherson looked toward
Sir Charles and his lady. the other
passengers lounging around them. q
little girl at the rail. her hair blown
windward. splash Of gold against the
blue sky. what for?" said the skip
per brusque:y
'"To have u look at the convicts.
suppose"
what good'll that do them" growl-
ed the commander. Idle curiosity
that's what i call it. Well. 60 along
ard keep them away from the bars.
The weather has nae improved the
tempers of few Of the rapscallions.
and they'd like naught better than a
chance for their claws"
Thanks for the permission. and"
a little stiffly. 1.-The admonitiOn. which
latter" turning away. "a man whose
lifelong profession has been dealing
with convicts il most likely to stand
In need Of and heed"
"May | 80 too:'
The child with thc golden hair de-
sisted in her occupation Of watching
the flying fish and other real winged
creatures and. leaving Tie r.:ii. walked
toward the group that was about to
follow Mr.. Gi!letl She was very
beautiful girl Of Ten or eleven. slim,
Geiicately fashioned. Of n definite proud
type.
May | go. too. aunt?" she repeated.
"Why. of course" interposed blase.
cynical appearing young man who had
Just emerged from the cabin. Don't
know where she wants to 60 or what
she wants TO do. but don't say she
can't; really you mustn't. now"
We'll. since you insist ON spelling
her. Lord Ronsdale"-
He twisted blond mustachc which
adorned a handsome face that bore
many marks Of what Is called expert.
ence of the world Couldn't do thati
Besides, Jocelyn and l are great
chums. don't you know. We're going
to be married some day when she
grows up"
Are we?" said the child. THE man
marry must be very big and strong
and must not have light hair"
Lord Ronsdale laughed tolerantly,
Plenty Of time for you to change
your mind, don't you know. Mean
while I'll not despair. Faint heart,
and so on. But" turning 70 Sir
Charles, where Is 1t she wants to
go%
ITO see the convicts."
"Convicts? Ahw He spoke rather
more quickly than usual. with accent
sharper.
You didn't know who your neigh
bors were going to be when you decid-
ed so suddenly to accompany us?"
NO" His voice had . metallic
sound.