Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-20
CHAPTER XVIII.
In Which I Join the Band.

Catching at a iutting spur of the rocky
right Sylvia was gazing up fixedly at
the headland above. There was an angry
frown on her face and her lips had
closed tightly. | followed the direction
OF her glance in time to see Dicks tall
figure draw back from the edge of the
cliff.
.'Your cousin chooses rather violent
methods" l observed, snilingly. "A
bowlder OF that size would wipe out half
a regiment
She gave a scornful laugh. 1T looks
more as though he were trying to kill two
birds with one stone
Not you. surely?"
"Why not? Our relations are-well, a
bit strained just at present
II know. But--''
You do Who told you?"
"PieTre.''
Her features relaxed into a humorous
smile The dear old busybody!' she
murmured.
And then the truth flashed upon me.
she told you about me. too
The reciprocal discovery. with its touch
of the ludicrous. seemed to relieve the
tension between us. Her smile broadened
as she confirmed the assertion with nod.
You're so mysterious and secretive. He
appears to be your only confidant."
Hes the only one who has offered
himself" | began. then paused. as new
mind if l ask whether you were actually
engaged to Dick?''
The sudden turn of the conversation
seemed to puzzle her. Engaged? Yes
that is--there was an understanding be-
tween us
And it's all OFF,
"Absolutely.''
Then he can have no possible interest
in your mothers estate now
Her look OF bewilderment deepened. i
don't understand you. He never had any
interest that I know Of
mo present interest," ! corrected. But,
as Your proposed husband, he might have
hopes for the future
Her eyes grew wide. You don't
think
Il think I put in, gently, that I've
found out how he expected to benefit by
your mothers DEATH
For GREATNESS instant she stared be-
fore her. as though she was gazing at
words sank into her brain. a dawning
comprehension swept across her face.
"Oh, he couldn't. lie couldn't" she
cried. Are you sure you're not mis-
taken?"
Il believe I'm not, I declared, firmly
proof
What is it?'
told her
And you've spoken to no one?"
No one but Pierre. I've been waiting
for something more definite to turn up. 1t
would look too much like d t-umped-up
charge with only the present evidence.
And. besides. we're more apt to get at the
bottom of the thing if Dick doesn't sus-
pect."
..yas che admitted .hu+ in tho n,.o,
time. he may kill you
II can look out for myself I returned,
confidently, land your mothers safety is
assured by your own act If We can only
work toward the same end, Miss Hay
ward .@sfs.t -'--- :
We'll do more than that" she broke
in. quickly. Wen work together" And
this time. when she gave me her hand,
friendship was taken as an acknowledged
fact
That night Wadsworth and Anderson
were sent ashore to get the monthly sup
ply of provisions, and the next morning
I found the men deep in the discussion
of new expedition. From what l could
gather it appeared that a rich New York
banker was cruising up the coast with a
party OF friends on his steam yacht, and
was expected to make Vineyard sound
within a day or two. The plan. as
sketched out, was to lie In wait along the
route. and hold up the vessel under cover
of darkness; with full knowledge Of her
movements it would be easy to choose a
spot which she would pass after night
fall
LAS for the money! Anderson assured
them, there's plenty on board. Every
man jack of ems a capitalist.
And jewels. too" added Bailey. Don't
forget the ladies'
Altogether it gave promise of being the
biggest thing which they had ever under
taken.
(To be continued tomorrow)