The Elbert County tribune., 1912-05-17

1ocular pressure. that she considered
she was roughing 1t. Captain QuIck's
quarters were by no means paletial.
and the bill of fare, while substantial.
ly composed. lacked something of va
riety; but that was all n part OF the
great and fascinating game she played
the game of secret service to His
Majesty. Edward VII.
Not that alone. but she was com
forted by the assurance that her voy-
age would soon be over her mission
discharged. her responsibility thing
OF the past. She would be glad to SEQ
Bombay.
One never knows, you know. Colo
mel ORourke." she said with little
gesture expressive OF her allowance
for 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 a
nonentity- bronze statue in a faded
shirt. ragged turban and soiled cum
merbund.
Then It's yourself will be glad,
gather. to be rid OF us, madam"
She smiled. deprecatory. What
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 to
look to for protection"
| ,,.aaa,r,ts .~..4.t...a A.
wanderer. But what makes ye so
positive I'd not turn tail and run away
from any real danger?"
She gave him look that brimmed
with mirth. "A man who is COW
ard" she said slowly. doesn't stand
still and draw revolver when q
heavy knife is thrown at his head"
Quick told ye. madam"
No, | 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 II was. |
slipped below again without attracting
attention
But whyY"
To get my revolver. monsieur lie
colonel
Twas naught but an accident"
You do not believe that yourself.
colonel dear: for my part. L"
'Well?"
someone tried my door last night.
after you'd retired"
''Ye are sure?" doubted o'Rourke.
disturbed.
Quite. l was awake-thinking:
heard you come below and close your
door at eight bells: long after there
We're footsteps-someone walking in
his bare feet--in the saloon. Then
the knob was turned, very gently.
Fortunately. the door was bolted:
someone put shoulder to 1t, but 1t
held fast caught up my revolver
indeed and / am very reckless with 1t,
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
| o'Rourke endeavored to manufac-
ture a plausible and reassuring explain
alton to the fact, Quick. Danny. or
Dravos. mistaking their rooms--
1T was, none OF them Captain
Quick was on deck: | heard his voice
almost simultaneously surely
couldn't mistake that She laughed
Nor would your man or Mr.. Dravos
have been so steaithy. so instant to
escape"
"But-but--"
..<t~ ho,r~ q -, .-,,, =,
that mine enemy of the Panjnab Is
one of the crew of the Rance. mon
sieur.-
Mrs. Prynne made this statement a.
quietly as though she were comment
ing on the weather. But her belle
chimed so exactly with his own thai
o'Rourke was stricken witless and a
loss to frame a satisfactory refuta
ton. He was silent for some mo
ments. his lips a thin hard line. .
crinkle OF anxiety between his bruws
III ye'd only permitted me to atten,
TO him he growied at length.
You are right she admitted. -bu
II am desoIated-the mischief.
done
Faith. yes,- he sighed dejectedly
His gaze roved the deck and fastene,
upon the serang. 1t might be an,
one of them he considered aloud
Any one. For instance. though
the serangf~
why dye suspect him more tha,
another-- he demanded. startled.
Call II feminine intuition. II 70,
like, The man looks capable of any
thing
Yes But sure. there's no ,eiiin,
at all
NO telling she eOneurred quietly