The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1912-07-25


Ea;her. - = :i3 OF IS. !li,....n?'
She smiled, deprecatory. What
would your" she asked in French,
with a significant glance up into
ORourke's eyes.
Its not precisely pleasant to be
constantly epprehensive." the woman
continued in the same tongue, even
when one has a Colonel O'Rourke to
look to for protection"
"Ah, madame!" expostulated the
wsnderer. But what makes ye so
positive I'd not turn tail and run away
from any real danger?"
She gave him a look that brimmed
with mtrth. "a man who Is COW
ard" she said slowly, doesn't stand
still and draw a revolver when q
heavy knife is thrown at his head"
Quick told ye, madam"
mo, / saw-heard the quarrelling
on the forward deck and got to the
companionway tn time to see what
happened. Had you not been 30 In
tent on your search for the knife, you
would have seen me. AS 1t was, /
slipped below again without attracting
attention"
But why?"
TO get my revolver, monsieur le
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. / was awake-thinking l
heard you come below and close your
door at eight bells; long after there
were footsteps-someon walking In
bis bare feet-in the saloon. Then
the knob was turned, very gently.
Fortunately, the door was bolted;
someone put a shoulder to 1t, but It
held fast. 1 caught up my revolver
indeed and am very reckless with It,
sir!-and opened the door myself. The
saloon was quite empty"
'Ye shouldn't have risked that"
81 had to know, with so 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-"
1T was none Of them. Captain
Quick was on deck; heard his voice
almost simultaneously. surely I
souldn't mistake that" She laughed.
Nor would your man or Mr.. Dravos
have been 50 stealthy. 30 instant to
sscape"
"But-but-"
MY theory, II you will have It, IL
that mine enemy Of the Pan1nab is
mo Of the crew OF the Rance, mon
deur."
Mrs. Prynne made this statement a.
quietly as though she were comment
ing on the weather. But her belief
shimed 90 exactly with his own that
oRourke was stricken witless and at
loss to frame a satisfactory refuta-
don. He was silent tor some mo-
ments, bis lips q thin hard line, .
rinkle Of anxiety between his brows.
II yed only permitted me to attend
10 him" he growled at length.
You are right" abe admitted, "tut
Il am desolatsd-the mischisfs
home"
Faith, yesi" he sighed dejeotedly.
BIS sase roved the deck and fastened
upon the serang. TT might be any
me Of them," he considered aloud.
ANY one For instance, though
he serangr'
why d'ye suspect him more than
lnotherr' he demanded. startled.
".An It feminine intuition. II you
like. The man looks capable Of any
thing"
Yes. But sure, there's no talltng
It all"
&No O0&AL48s oAO S6hOo4tO0 QNA0<AS.
We can but wait, watch, hope that I
imagined the hand at my door"
There might be something In
that"
II am nstther nervous nor an TN
lgfnattve woman"
AT all events, I'll 90 bail twill not
happen a second time"
How do you propose to prevent
~"
Sure, the simplest way tn the
world. I myself will stand guard in
The saloon, madam"
But no, monsieur; can better a.
ford to lose a little sleep than have
you forfeit your rest. Besides, / have
Osctle.
There ensued an argument without
termination; he remained obdurats.
she insistant. Only the appearance Of
Quick on the stroke Of four bells
nofssd than TO shelve the subject.
X was reaumsd ut the dinner table
snd oasTisd or tn . light manner q
hanfer tor q TINA dsop9ed nod for