The state herald., 1913-05-02
surely they do not mean It: they

and made show of being cheerful.
When they find they are safe they
may think of u.s." she said. But the
men were already crazed with fear.
even before the leak was discovered.
one OF their mates on the voyage
over was fortune-teller and he
prophesied danger to them all on their
next trip. After they had come into
port, the fortune-teller himself died.
And who can blame them for their
rear? They are all superstitious; and
as no one ever regarded their fears.
now they have no regard for any
body's feelings but their own"
But we are In the middle Of the
Atlantic, no one knows where. We
may drift for days-we may starve-
the Lord only knows what will hap
pen to us!"
Agatha. who had been floating.
swan a little nearer and laid her
hand on Jim's shoulder. until he
looked into her face. It was full Of
strength and brightness.
The sea is His Also" she quoted
gently. Besides. we may get picked
up she went on. I'm very well of
for my part, as you see. Can swim
or rest floating, thanks to this blessed
cork thing, and not at all hurt by the
fall from the rope. But I must get
rid Of my shoes and some Of my
clothes, II ] have to swim"
| 1t is awkward to kick OF ones
shoes and divest oneself Of unneces-
sary clothing in the water. and
Agatha laughed at herself as she did
1t. Not exactly bathing suit. but
this one black skirt will have to do
The others must go. II was my skirts
that caused the mischief with the
rore at first And was scared!"
You had right to be-" Jim helped
her keep afloat. and presently he saw
that. freed from the ENHANCEMENT o
80 many clothes. she was as much
at home In the water as he. Sud
denly she turned to him. caught b,
some recollection that almost eludet
her.
Il don't think we are anywher,
near the middle OF the Atlantic" sh,
said thoughtfully. James was silent
eating the bitter bread OF despair. IL
spite OF the woman's brave wish t,
comfort him. They we're swimming
slowly as they talked. still hoping t.
reach the yacht They rose on tn,
breast OF the waves. paused now ant
then TIL a quieter moment came, ant
always kept near each other In tn,
pale blue darkness.
"old Sophie said something-tha
some one had tampered with tn
wheel I think At any rate. she SAT-
we'd never get far from shore witt
this crew"
James considered the case Blu
even suppose we are within a mil
, or Two. say. OF the shore, could yo
ever swim two miles In this heav,
scar"
1T is growing calmer every min
ute. See. can do very well. evel
swimming alone. 1t must be nea
morning. too. and that's always
good thing" There was the shade,
OF laugh In her voice.
Morning? That depends" grow
cd Jim. He was being soothed Il
spite OF himself. and in spite OF tn
direfulnes OF their situation. But ba
as the situation was. and would b
in any case. he could not deny tn
proposition that morning and da,
light would make II better.
"hut aren't you tired already Yo
must be" James turned closer 1
her. trying TO read her face. 1t wa
long night of anxiety. even befor
We left the boat. Weren't you frigh,
ened?"
Yes. OF course: but I've been gel
ting used to frights OF late. II one ca
get used to them" Again there wa
the laugh In her voice. under all II
seriousness, even when she added
, I'm not sure that this isn't safe
than being on board the Jeann
Dare. after all!'
II was characteristic OF James tha
he forbode to take advantage OF tn
opening this speech offered. The pot
hiDie reuhon VI Hcr aDuuctlOn. ne
treatment on board the yacht. he
relation to Monsieur Chatelard-l
was all a mystery. but he could moi
at that moment. seek to solve IL lie
remark remained unanswered for
little time: Mt last he said: The
the Jeanne dare must have bee
pretty bad"
1T was" she said simply.
Jim wondered whether she kne,
more about tho crime OF which sh
was tho victim than he know. or /
she had discovered nught conccrnin
II while she was prisoner on III
yacht Granting that her person wa
no valuable that u man OF Monsicu
Chatcinrds cniibor would commit
crime to get possession OF Il. VIII,
should he have abandoned her whci
there was plainly some chance O
safety In the boats1 lie could no
conceive OF Monsieur chn,elnrd'