The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1911-03-01


face of the Japanese was a study
His eyes were narrowed to thin
Sits. and his mouth was formed into
a meaningless grin.
Orme spoke to the Japanese in
French. "Maku has confessed" !
said. "He is under arrest"
The face of the Japanese did not
change.
DO you understand" asked Orme.
still in French.
There was no answer. and Orme
turned to the girl and said. in
French:
Il don't think he understands this
language"
Apparently not" she replied. in
the same tongue.
Tell me-" he went on. ARE you
there of your own will?"
| NO"
HAS he the papers?"
| Il think so. l don't know"
"See il you can manage to get
past him. and will help you into our
boat"
I'll try" She nodded. with a brave
effort to show reinsurance.
Orme frowned at the japanese.
What are you doing with this young
LADY," he demanded.
mo understand"
Yes. you do understand. You un-
derstood well enough when you
robbed me this evening""
mo understand" the japanese re-
peated.
The girl, meantime. had moved
slowly from her position. The two
boats were close together. Suddenly.
after . swift glance from Orme. the
girl stepped to the gunwale and
leaped across the gap. Orme reached
forward and caught her. drawing her
for brief instant close into his arms
before she found her footing in the
cockpit
Splendid: he whispered. and she
tossed her head with q pretty smile
of relief.
Porter had been standing close by.
the boathook in his hands. is there
anything more to be done?" he asked
of Orme
Yes. wait q moment"
The japanese had made no move
to prevent the girls escape. Indeed.
while she was leaping to the other
boat. he balanced himself and turned
to his motor. as though to continue
the work Of repair.
Now, then" called Orme. you
must give me those papers"
mo understand" The japanese
did not even look up from his task.
Orme turned to Porter. Give me
the boathook." he said, and. taking It,
he hooked it to the gunwale Of the
other boat, drawing the two crafts
together. His intention was to use
the boathook to bring the Japanese
to terms. But the Oriental was too
quick. His apparent Indifference van
ished. and with a cat-like pounce. he
seized the boathook and snatched it
from Orme's grasp.
The action was so unexpected that
VI" was SoAAPiCSSiy t.i
prise. He made ready, however, to
leap in unarmed. but the Japanese
thrust the blunt end of the boathook
at him. and the blow, which struck
him in the chest. sent him topping
backward. He was saved from tum-
bling into the cockpit by Porter, who
caught him by the shoulders and
helped him to right himself The two
boats tossed for a moment like corks
in the water.
When Orme again leaped to the
gunwale, the Japanese was using the
boathook to push the craft apart. A
final shove widened the distance to
six or eight feet The jump was i'm
possible. Even If the boats had been
nearer together it would have been
folly to attempt an attack
Stepping down into the cockpit.
Orme bent over the girl. who had
sunk down upon a cushion. She
seemed to be content that he should
play the game for her.
What is wrong with his motor?"
uS SdIu. LIZ you
She answered in an undertone: Il
shut OF the gasoline-supply. He
wasn't looking. He didn't see."
Good for you. Girl" he exclaimed.
where did you do it? At the Tank"
NO. Unfortunately the valve is at
the carbureter. Oh" she continued.
I'VE must get the papers!"
Orme turned to Porter. Are you
willing to take a risk" he asked.
Anything in reason" The life
saver grinned. "Of course. don't un-
derstand what's going on. but I'll back
you
This Is q good. stout tub We are
in" Orme hesitated. Il want you to
ram her nose into that other boat"
Porter shook his head.
That's going pretty far" he said.
II don't know that there is warrant
for it,
1T won't need to be a hard bump"
Orme explained. Il don't want to
hurt the fellow"
Then why"
ITO brighten him into giving up
some papers"
Porter looked straight into Orme's
eyes. do the papers belong to
your" he demanded.
NO" Orme spoke quietly. They
belong to this young lady-or, rather.
TO her father. This japanese. and the
also say that this is the same snake