Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-21
CHAPTER VII-Continued.

C6Af4Eh txx-CO0C10uc0.
Box at hand. but at arms length. Capt.
Dove left the saloon. tiptoed laboriously
up the steep stair, which led, by way of
the quarterback, to the chart house be-
hind the bridge. and. stepping out on to
the deck with extreme caution. passed
aft into the darkness.
The night was no less obscure now that
dawn was near. but he could have founo
his way about the ship blind. and Slyne
crept closely after him. not knowing what
to expect. since Reuben Yoxall lay safe
ly locked i'm one of the rooms below
Capt Dove stopped behind the canvas
shaft of one of the windsails which had
been spread to catch the scant breeze and
relieve little the atmosphere OF the mid
ship cabins. Its base was made fast
about the hood Of an ordinary deck venti-
lator.
Cast it loose for a minute and listen"
he whispered to his companion, and Slyne
obeyed.
He listened for a time. and then turned
to whisper excitedly to Capt. Dove. >.
There's something wrong with him, y
he said. Hes raving. He's down with
fever. as sures l live
Let me heard the old man COM
manded: and was very soon satisfied
He'll" he calculated Now. isn't
doc on board this ship
Tie it up again, Slyne. We needn
waste powder and shot on him. lie
booked out express. on free pass-and
a damned good radiance. too.
Slyne was not slow in refastening the
canvas to the ventilator again. But even
then Capt. Dove was not done with him.
'Hobsons in the next cabin" the old
man remarked. land we may as well
give him his ticket now as later on. We
can't afford to let him bolt ashore when
ever we make port and blow the gait on
us both. Slyne.''
Slyne hung back, his gorge up again.
What are you going to do he de-
manded.
You do your part and I'll do mine. y
snapped Capt. Dove. And Slyne cast
loose the second windchute.
Into the wide, rusted mouth of the
ventilator Capt. Dove cautiously thrust
one end of the fiat cigar box and pushed
that we'll down it's open throat. A muf-
fled click was no more than audible. but
none the less caused Slyne to start ap-
prehensively. And then the old man
withdrew the box. tossed it over the
ships side, and, with hurried whisper
to Slyne to make the canvas fast again,
scuttled off back to the saloon.
Slyne was not slow in following him.
but stubbed his toes hurtfully on his way
to the stair and could scarcely repress
the curse that rose to his lips. Just then.
however. he caught sight OF shadow at
the near end of the bridge above, which
he knew was Da Costa on watch. and he
did not care to be detected in any such
dangerous and undignified predicament.
When he limped into the saloon below
he found Capt. Dove seated there, once
more sucking at a cigar. head cooked on
one side, as if listening for something.
Was it an explosive?' demanded Slyne.
Almost boiling over at the idea that he
had unwittingly been risking his life as
a catspaw.
What the blazes are you talking
about?" Capt Dove counter questioned.
acidly. And where have you been. Ell?
1 thought you said you were going to
bed
He stared unwinkingly into the others
angry, suspicious eyes. What's it like
on deck?" he inquired. ANY sign of
wind YETI"
on deck" snapped Slyne.
"On deck!" exclaimed Capt. Dove. In
surprise. Not me. I've been sitting
smoking here since you left the saloons'
Slyne. busy replacing his shoes. thought
that over and sat UP again with a sheer
ing laugh.
Don't forget. Dove" said he. that if
you ever go back on me at a pinch that
will be the worst days work you've ever
done for yourself. I'm the one who's
been sitting here while you've been on
deck, and 1 don't know yet what you
went for.
You'll hear presently the other in
formed him. quite unmoyed by his threat
And don't you forget. Slyne. that il you
ever go back on me in pinch I've an
other box Of cigars I'm keeping for your
benefit; l don't think Brasse will fail to
look very carefully after it, either"
Slyne blanched a little in spite Of him.
self. and at that moment stifled shout
came from behind some closed door at
the end of the alleyway outside the air
less saloon. He moved as II to rise. but
sat still. rigid. his eyes dilated. as
blood-curdling. long-drawn cry reached
his ears DULY from the distance, and
finally died to silence In a quavering
agony.
Even Capt. Dove was uncomfortably af-
fected by ii:
as the sight Of policeman just then
might have done. 1t was the old man
who first recovered his nerve.
That's Da Costa. curse him.! he NUT
tered: and darted glance Of contempt
at Slyne as he crossed to the bridge
speaking tube.
How the devil do / know" he roared
into that after listening to what his new
second mate had to say Yes. I heard
it. You'd better send down and find out
what IL was"
He set the whistle into the tube again
and turned to Slyne.
Pull yourself together. YOU fool.' he
said savasely This isn't the time to
trust" He stopped abruptly. hearing
the sound of heavy feet in the passage
as some of the watch on deck came
trampnig. in, and Slyne. who had also
heard that. pulled out his handkerchief
to hide his teltale face.
The footsteps did not stop at the saloon
door however, but went on to the end of
the alleyway. And when Capt. Dove at
length looked out one of the men there
was still knocking violently at the door
of Hobson's room. But he could obtain
no answer.
Better get a Ratchet and handspikes,
Cassidy. said Capt. Dove. and break
in the door. Something must have gone