The Delta independent., 1912-03-29
Copyright 1909. by Lon.s Joseph Vance

N,
mortal twin"
All" commented o'Rourke. Thank
you, Danny"
He continued to watch the serang
until the latter, as If Influenced by the
fixity of the Irishman's regard, turned
and stared directly into O'Rourke's
eyes. For a full minute he gave him
look for look, dark eyes steadfast and
unyielding above his fine aquiline
nose, then calmly turned his back, re-
Stunning his contemplation of the tur.
bulent horizon.
An instant later Quick came up to
relieve O'Rourke, and, eight bells
sounding, Danny dived below to take
Dravos' place. O'Rourke, unpleasant.
ly impressed by the incident, still for.
bore to mention it to either of the
ships owners; he retired to think 1t
over and spent a long hour consum.
ing an Indifferent cigar and studying
the cracks in the bulkhead between
mis- room and the cabin.
Without profit, however. Lacking
more substantial proof than Danny's
suspicious, he could arrive at no def
mite conclusion.
The night passed without incident;
the second day dawned the counter
part of its predecessor, and wore
away quietly enough.
1t fell to O'Rourke to stand the first
dog-watch, from four to six in the
evening. Shortly after he assembled
the bridge, it was his happiness to be
Joined by Mrs. Prynne, who improved
the moment to express her gratifica-
ton with the propitious tide in her af
fairs. The Kings courier was pleased
to declare herself very well pleased
indeed though she admitted, under
jocular pressure, that she considered
she was roughing it. Captain Quick's
quarters were by no means palatial
and the bill of fare, while substantial
ly composed, lacked something of va.
riety; but that was all 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 see
Bombay.
"One never knows, you know, Colo
mel O'Rourke,'' she said with little
gesture expressive of her allowance
for the unforeseen.
O'Rourke OWNED she had something
on her mind which she hesltated to
voice, though they were practically
alone the man at the wheel was
nonentity- bronze statue in a faded
shirt, ragged turban and soiled cum
merbund.
Then tbs yourself will be glad ]
gather. to be rid of us. MADAME"
She smiled, deprecatory. 'Wha'
would you?" she asked in French.
with a significant glance up into
O'Rourke's eyes.
TITS not precisely pleasant to be
constantly apprehensive," the woman
continued in the same tongue, even
when one has a Colonel O'Rourke to
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 look that brimmed
with mirth. "a man who is a 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, I 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 why?"
ITO get my revolver, monsieur lie
colonel"
Twas naught but an accident"
You do not believe that yourself,
colonel dear; for my part. Il
"Well?"
Someone tried my door last night.
after you'd retired"
"Ye are sure?" doubted O'Rourke,
disturbed.
Quite. / was awake-thinking;
heard you come below and close your
door at eight bells; long after there
were 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 it, but 1t
held fast. / caught up my revolver
indeed and l 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 30 much at
stake" she said simply.
O'Rourke endeavored to manufac-
ture plausible and reassuring explain
alton to the fact. Quick. Danny, or
Dravos, mistaking their rooms"