Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-24
CHAPTER XXI.-Continued.

1 read over what he had written then,
thrusting the order into my pocket, mo-
toned toward the door.
Now you come with me-"
Come? Where?"
Back to the island. You didn't think
I'd let you slip through my fingers like
that. did your
But, Mort
Get your clothes on at once"
He flung me an evil glance, but obeyed
without a word I sat watching him in
quiet amusement.
The low. hysterical sobbing of woman
sounded from somewhere nearby. and now
soothingly, as though in answer. But the
louder noises OF plundering had retreateo
down the passage toward the saloon
Prescott, throwing on his coat, reached
under the berth and drew out satchel
Here. Leave that" 1 said, angrily
| "You can't take any baggage"
Il must have a change OF clothes M
protested.
You don't need them where you're
going"
But my belongings-my jewelry-
Are much safer here.
his mouth shut tightly. We'll. I'm not
going without them" he muttered: So
you can do what you damned please
And he pumped himself down on the
bunk with an obstinate air.
A thrill Of citation ran through me.
| ..All right" + conceded, quietly. Wei
compromise. Just hand the bag over tt
me-"
What for?"
so that can choose what's necessary
Well do them up in bundle
He shook his head. mo, you don't. i
there's any choosing to be done I'll do il
myself
| Good" agreed Put the bag on tho
chair hereunder the light
| He seemed disposed to demur again. bu
/ brought the revolver to bear on him
He lifted the valise to the chair with al
Ill grace.
II suppose I can choose what want?,
| Certainly But you must take eacf
thing out separately. / can't have an!
concealed weapons. you know"
He began to haul out his wardrobe
piece by piece, / scrutinized each article
carefully as he deposited it on the floor
The pile had grown into quite a respect
able size before he finally paused.
"Is that ALP 1 asked.
| Yes"
Are you sure?'
| I leaned forward to examine the bag
but he closed it quickly.
There are only few odds and ends
I can stow them away in my pockets.
| Lets have look at them first
| He unfastened the catch with dis
dainful grunt. and. thrusting his hands
into the valise, drew out miscellaneous
lot Of handkerchiefs and ties.
That's ALL he said, turning suddenly
from me, and bending over the bag as
though to replace the things
But had found what / was looking for
Stop l cried, reaching out an eager
arm.
| And, as he paused, jerked a packet OF
ma pers from the truck in his hands. They
were the bonds!
Yes. that's ALL Knocked him, slipping
them into an inside pocket.
He turned on me fiercely, his face pur
pie with baffied rage. "Give them back!'
he snarled, driving his clawfike fingers a
my throat.
I ducked beneath his guard and. catch
| ing him about the waist, flung him to thu
floor He stared up at me out OF evi
| There came a laundering knock at thu
door.
What no. my hearties. You're kickin
up too much noise in there. WhatcheI
playin'-ten pins?'
1t was Dick. He had traced me. Wha'
was 1 to do? l looked down at the mar
still groveling at my feet. A strange
ashy paleness had swept over his face
and his eyes we're alive with new emo
tion-fear.
who's that?" he whispered. hoarsely
| "A friend Of mine
| "A friend
| But I motioned to him to keep silent
His words had suggested an idea
/ Coin t let me in?' Dick demanded
"I'll give yeh JUS three seconds, an
then" The door sagged under the sud
den impact Of his weight.
| 1 turned to Prescott. Get up"' I com
manded. And remember your name:
Brown-Joseph Brown"
! But if he should" He hesitated.
| "ShOuld what?'
''Oh, nothing-nothins: It's worth try
ing at any rate.
| I glanced at him with interest. Since
Dicks appearance on the scene his man
ner had changed completely. He was
plainly frightened. and even now, while
we stood waiting, he started at eacf
crashing blow, as though it had beer
aimed at him.
| I was still endeavoring to account fol
his strange behavior when the bolt gave
way with q dismal grOan. and Dick, kick
| ing the door open, lurched in. His rolling
gait and the half-emptied champagne bot
| tie clutched in his hand showed only toe
| plainly that he had been drinking.
showed Prescott behind me.
well, here l am, oil sport-'cordin I
promise. Sorry l was un'void'bly de-
| tanned" Dick raised the bottle to his
lips. Here's t. a shor' life an a merry
death-an q quick one He drained the
wine to its last drop and flung the bottle
into a corner. Nectar f tn gods, Rem.
ffrew. Too bad 1 haven't any t. offer you
an your frien'-or isn't there any frien
Be hanged II l. His eyes. slipping
past me, fixed themselves suddenly upon
Prescott, who was peering over my Shout