The Lamar register., 1912-03-27

Tor the unforeseen.
O'Rourke OWNED she had something
on her mind which she hesitated to
voice, though they were practically
alone; the man at the wheel was
nonent.y- bronze statue in faded
shirt. ragged turban and sOiled cum
merbund.
Then It's yourself will be glad. 1
gather. to be rid of us. madam"
She smiled, deprecatory. "Wha,
would your" she asked in French,
with significant glance up into
O'Rourke's eyes.
IT'S not precisely pleasant to be
constantly apprehensive," the woman
continued in the same tongue, even
when one has Colonel O'Rourke tc
look to for protection
"Ah, madame!" expostulated the
wanderer. But what makes ye SC
positive I'd not turn tail and run away
from any real danger?"
She gave him a look that brimmed
with mirth. "A man who is a cow
ard" she said slowly, doesn't stand
still and draw a revolver when 4
heavy knife is thrown at his head"
Quick told we. madam"
No, l saw-heard the Quarrelling
on the forward deck and got to the
companionway in time to see what
happened. Had you not been SO In,
tent on your search for the knife. you
would have seen me. AS 1t was.
slipped below again without attracting
attention."
But whyf"
ITO get my revolver. monsieur 10
colonel"
Twas naught but an accident"
You do not believe that yourself,
colonel dear; for my part. -
"Well?"
Someone tried my door last night,
after you'd retired"
"Ye are suref" doubted O'Rourke.
disturbed.
Quite. l was awake-thinking;
heard you come below and close your
door at eight bells; long after there
were footsteps walking In
his bare feet-in the saloon. Then
the knob was turned. very gently.
the door was bolted:
someone put shoulder to 1t, but 1t
held fast. / caught up my revolver
indeed and l am very reckless with It,
sir!-and opened the door myself. The
saloon was quite empty"
"Ye shouldn't have risked that"
Il had to know. with SO much at
stake" she said simply.
ORourke endeavored to manufac-
ture . plausible and reassuring explain
alton to the fact. Quick. Danny, or
Dravos. installing their rooms"
1T was none Of them. Captain
Quick was on deck; / heard his voice
almost simultaneously. surely +
mistake that" She laughed.
Nor would your man or Mr.. Dravos
have been 80 stealthy. 30 instant to
escape"
"But-but-"
my theory. If you will have It. 10
that mine enemy of the Panjnab 10
one Of the crew of the Rance. mon
sisur."
Mrs. Prynne made this statement a.
quietly as though she were comment
Ing on the weather. But her belief
chimed SO exactly with his own that
O'Rourke was stricken witless and at
. loss to frame a satisfactory refuta-
ton. He was silent for some mo-
ments. his lips q thin hard line, q
crinkle Of anxiety between his brows.
III ye'd only permitted me to attend
to him" he growled at length.
you are right" she admitted. but
Il am dssolated-the mischiers
DONE"
Faith, yesI" he sighed dejectedly.
His gaze roved the deck and fastened
upon the serang. 1T might be any
one Of Them" he considered aloud.
ANY one. For instance. though
the serang?"
why dye suspect him more than
he demanded. startled.
Call 1t feminine intuition. II you
like. The man looks capable of any.
thing"
Yes. But sure, there's no telling
at ALL"
No telling" she concurred quietly.
I'VE can but wait. watch. hope that ]
imagined the hand at my door"
There might be something in
that"
Il am neither nervous nor an i'm
aginative woman"
AT all events, I'll go bail twill not
happen a second time"
How do you propose to prevent