The Washington times., 1911-04-10
THE TIMES DAILY SERIAL STORY
Milady of the Mercenaries
BaLoUIs JOSEPH VANCE
Copyright The Frank A. Mun..y company

/ apparently awaiting her. Ignoring
them, as had been her recent custom.
tshe started across the cabin to her own
stateroom' but Lazard arrested her
"Senorita," he said with bow and an
oily smirk, pray be seated. We have a
communication to make to you" o.
He offered her a chair, rolling his
small eyes and smiling with a curl OF
vantage the whiteness of his teeth.
Pausins. she inquired disdainfuily:
| "A communication? And If l decline
You viii not; it affects you per
sonally."
! Very well; am waiting"
| rita?' 20
Lazard pointed to the open headlight.
The girl went to IL and peered out The
scene was one familiar to her; she knew
II instantly for their destination, and
she choked little with fear and dis
may: The voyage was ended-what now
would come?
THAT is San Diego. senor,ta."
II know it. Well?'
We go ashore tonight You had best
Very well; But the Senior Haieh,"
and spread his palms toward her.
He is a very sick mani she cried,
reading his answer Alright.
He is in the hands Of God" re-
Joined T3nht the mereenary piously. TO
wildly - = =
You must"
Il will not. them She turned upon
have you no pity, you-you-"
That's enough!' the mate inter-
rupted brutally. We've 10 time TO
waste with you, miss; and no time to
fellow. You get ready, now; the boats
waiting for you"
II will not-I will not,' =, a..
"Will you go quietly, or must we use
an air, that showed his indifference, u,
II will not go, / say!'
IAN right. If you will have 1t, then
Fetter!
The feIIEw Jumped tba up sssery in Ir ng
backed away from him as II he were
some repellent reptile. Through the
corner of her eye she saw Lazard slip
ping up behind her; Turning to avoid
sought. He dashed quickly in. clipping
her arms to her side, and she felt hts
rank. sodden breath upon her cheek.
She opened her mouth to scream-that
slipped folded cloth between her teeth.
forcing II roughly back against the cor
ners Of her lips while he knotted 1t be-
hind her head. Half choked, she SUBJ
mitted.
Meanwhile Haigh had been reused
from his uneasy rest by the sounds of
the struggle and his mistress voice
raised in protest. He opened his door
9TS With the the feTer
scious of one thing only-that Norah
was in danger Tompkins' back was to
him. and the sick man sprang upon the
mate With h,, ,nfn ferocity ~. that almost most
about him and biting at his clothes ike
a mad dog.
The mate, taken completely off his
guard, was FOR a moment too surprised
to move: then, recovering. he easily
twisted himself from his assailants en-
feebled clutches, and turned upon him
with an oath. Fighting. biting. and
kicking with his bare feet. the little man
into his berth. When he attempted to
rise Tompkins knelt upon his chest and
bound his hands and feet with the bed
clothing.
furlously Lie stiIl, or-or-
He stopped suddenly. Haigh babbled
at him in puerile anger, but Tompkins
seemed not to hear him. In moment
he smiled darkly and left the room.
I'll be with you In minute called
the mate TO Lazard. He went to his own
berth and returned with-something m
his hand that glittered in the light.
L IL you, my ne
as he dropped a little white pellet into
spoon half full of water. and watched 1t
dissolve. You won't be so darned
fresh after you get this in your sys--
mic, pIunsing it into the, little mans
arm and slowly pushing in the lever.
Lie still, sonny" he advised. Pretty
soon you'll be feeling fine. When !
iii be taking mine. then, and you amt
had half enough"
He went on deck. Lazard and Fetter
had persuaded the struggling girl to The
head of the gangway. beneath which a
in the end by carrying her bodily down
the steps, they go& her into the stern !
sheets. The two men took the oars;
they must row the distance themselves. |
since Tompkins dared not leave the |
ship, nor could he trust the crew to re- |
turn II once they went ashore.
Tomorrow evening, tben?" he called |
over the side.
"At the latest" Lazard's answer came |
up TO him. About this time. senor. Be /
careful Of the gas engines
Trust me for that, old hoss. Adios!
They heoS showed off. and the boat was
gathered into the arms of the night; It |
purposely carried no betraying light. 1
Tompkins set the anchor-watch and. |
still smiling that dark, ominous smile,
returned TO the saloon. To his disgust,
he found Mr. Hentz seated at the table.
coony slipping glass of whisky and
Hello cried Mr. Tompk!ns, with an
ugly frown. What are you doing
"Vat YOU see." answered the German
stolidly. "I was a leedle drink having.
You care to join me?' he added trife'
more pleasantly.
Tompkins hesitated; he was. suspi-
.ious of the German, remembering the
,ncounter they had had some time since.
But in Mr.. Hentz's manner there was
40 trace Of resentment. Rather, he
oCre himself good humoredly, as one
Tsio Is warmed with drink. and in his
nvitation TO the mate there was the
ing of desire for companionship: He
vas in the way at the time. but IN his
,resence IN the saloon he stood clearly
pithi1 his rights; no fault could be
ound with him on that head. 1t would
,e best. possibly. to indulge him for
All right, 1 reckon will" said
hair and helped himself to glass OF
yrog. How're the engines goins'
"Dey are very fine engines. re-
the German. Very goot, m
Iced. Dot reminds me of Something's. !
iill return shortly" l--.- -.
THE Continuation OF This story VIII