Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-08-31

)IPn VANCE
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Sltuafion briefly, then bent over and
with the twisted screw-driver prted up
one Of the deck planks, which had
been left unnailed, though tightly ht-
ted. to facilitate the placing Of bal
last. In the aperture revealed num-
Der Of bricks Of lead lay against the
center board trunk. in thin wash Of
bilge water. Coast picked one up,
balancing 1t in his hand while he re.
placed the plank. The bar Of lead was
solid and very heavy-of the shape
and weight technically known as
"flfty.six."
Right" commented Appleyard:
that may do the trick. Come over on
this side. If you please. Mrs. Black
stock" he added, as Coast rose and
facing the door balanced himself as
carefully as the scant headroom OF the
tiny cabin would permit; IF the door
should hold by accident, that things
liable to bounce back like rubber
ball. only much more 50. You might
as we'll keep out Of the way"
When Katherine had quietly COM
Piled, Coast. the fifty-six poised near
his shoulder, waited until the Echo
momentarily rode with an even keel,
then with all his might sent It crash
Ing against the panels of the starboard
door. They yielded like paper, leaving
q ragged hole. through which he
thrust an arm. cropping for the bolt.
This found and drawn, he pushed tho
door back and assembled, Appleyard
following.
To his immense establishment, both
sky and sea were stark and bright
with moonlight.
Behind him he heard the little mans
quiet and courteous voice: Better
not come up just yet. Mrs. Blackstock
A little later. :"
At their feet blocking the cockpit
with his huge body and long, massive
~ prcportioned limbs, Chang lay SUI
pine and inert, half across the engine
pit, into which one limp arm dangled.
What time the shadow Of the sail and
swinging boom did not blot 1t out In
inky blackness, the moonlight struck
cold and. hard upon the evil, grinning
mask Of death that was his face.
Swaying drunkenly. Blackstock &C.
cupied the wheelbo1. his fat white
hands loose Of grasp upon the spokes
and moved by rather than controlling
it. His head sagged low upon his
chest, swinging heavily from side to
side % the catboat rolled.
He, ct least. could not be dead, a.
Chang unquestionably was-a fact APP
pleysrd presently verified by the most
brief of inquests. discovering In the
Chinaman's naked torso NO less than
three bullet wounds. all Indicating tho
perforation Of . vital spot.
: rstoolinG low 70 escape the banging
Of the boom. Coast stepped over the
Chinaman's body and went to Black
stock. He had soma trouble overcom-
ing his physical repugnancs to the
task, but resolutely forced himseH to
touch the man, selling q shoulder with
one hand, while with the other he
lifted his head and exposed his face
to the light. It shone CHASTITY white.
but the jaws were set and in their
sockets the prominent eyes moved and
lifted to Coasts face, with dim. pale
simmer Of recognition. But It was
evident at q glance that only his ire
mendous vitality and force Of will sus-
tanned the man; the blood soaked boz
som OF his flannel shirt told too plain
" the tale Of q terrible drain upon his
strength.
"Appleyard-"
mo; this ones hrst-he's done tor
completely" interrupted the little man
with prompt decision: we've got to
get him out Of the way before We can
move. T'other can walt"
"But he'll die"
I'm satisfied. Here, lend me .
lift at this. won't your
Together with considerable dim.
Guilty, they managed to raise the
body Of Chang TO side seat and then
over the rail. A sullen splash and
shower Of spray, molten silver in the
moonlight, were all his funeral rite.
"And now for the quick" said Ap.
pleyard; "and quick's the word"
But as they approached s!sckstcck
tho man, drawing upon some unsus-
pected reserve Of nervous force. de-
liberately II with to5turfng effort,
pulled himself together. lifted a leg
over the wheel and slipped OF the box
to the seat to leeward. A grim ghost
Of smile showed upon his face. and
for 4 fugitive instant there shone
from his eyes . CLEAN Of their one
time hooking lustsr. little proud
and disdainful. altogether unrepent-
ant. Then with long sigh, his chin
dropped down on his breast again.
Thanks" said Appleyard, callouNy:
you've saved US deal Of trouble
and exertion, I'm sure. Coast, take
the wheel, viii you, while I get Mr..
Blackstock q drink ana see what can
be done to save his worthless hide
for more evil end"
Obediently Coast placed himself on
the boz. ANY idea whore We are?''
he asked.
Blackstock reused at the query and
raised his head. staring round the hori-
soa. "vlneyard sound" he croaked
hoarsely, with . nod to Toward:
where, against the pale blue splendor