The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-06-12

into possession, or VaT1OuS QOcum enCS which believed from cursory glance at their contents were of utmost value. These hastily transferred to my coat pocket. making sure had the original letter descriptive of Philip Henley's death, as well as the copy of a mem orandum which the half breed had evi- dently drawn up for the convenience Of his lawyers
 '1 think I've got your number.' I said finally.
 ssYou've got to get away hrst,' he sneered defantly, sand you'll not find that so easy. My turn will come yet, you spy, and then you'll learn how I bite
 Ilaughed, feeling no mercy.
 'eAll in good time, friend. I think you have had your inning. Now it's mine. So you are Charles Henley2 ?"
 He did not answer.
 s'The illegitiEAate son of Judge Hen ley and a negro mother. That's clev- CT forgery that paper of legal adop- ton, admit Must have had legal ad- vice for that What did you pay the lawyers P
 He stared at me with compressed lips
 'sNot ready to confess yet7 Well, you will be. By the way, who was that Pierre who wrote telling you of Philips death? Not Vonique, was it 7''
 You tevils" he burst forth, tortured beyond resistance. His teeth ground together savagely, and he burst into string of oaths
 That's enough" And got to my feet. 'sI see HI have to gag you again.'s I replaced the gag and took a survey Of the cabin to make sure all was SC cure. Nothing had occurred in the out CT cabin during my absence, but the growing shadows evidenced the ap- preach Of twilight. In those waters night came quickly. Locking the cap tain's door, I entered my own state- room and sat down on the lower berth to walt leaving my door slightly ajar. The cabin grew constantly darker, all though outside, through the open port could still distinguish gIeams of light along the water surface and the heights of the island. Herman came down and entered bis stateroom. but without clos ing the door, He remained but mo ment or two and then hurried back on deck. Suddenly al gust of wind blew tn through the port, and it began to rain gently, but in huge drops. Far away was the rumble of thunder, echo-
 
 was evidently coming up slowly from the east, as all the western sky was clear and streaked with golden red.
 Then q sailor came down the com panion stairs, his oilskins rustIing. and pounded on the second mates door.
 eAa hands, Mfr. Broussardls'
 There was muh1ed response, and the creole, buttaning his jacket as he passed, followed the other on deck. A moment later heard the slow throb Of the engines and glanced out to note the shore line slipping past into the gloom The Sea Gull was under way.
 It would be some time yet-ffteen or twenty minutes at the best-before I dared attempt to carry out my plan of escape. In spite of the overspread- ing cloud and steadY rainfall daylight fingered in the west, and spectral glow hung above the ocean. There were preliminaries to be attended to, and was eager to be busy
 The steward had aroused. from his nap, and l watched him lower the ta- bIes and spread it withsa white cloth. Now the distant chatter of dishes proved him to be in the pantry. He could be dealt with there even to bet | ter advantage than in the cabin, and, noncombatant as he undoubtedly was, I felt it safer to place him beyond power to create any alarm. The task leave our rear uuguarded. I slipped silently along the short passageway, and, watching his back closely investi- 4 gated the lock of the pantry door. It was of the spring variety, easily set to fasten, and could not be operated from the inside. As pressed in the l catch there was q clicking sound which caused the negro to turn around, the whites of his eyes gIeaming oddly.
 tsOh. my lordyl nebber heard you, Massa Craig. By goIly, sah, dis were 4 niggah sure thought he was shot.,'
 Mot yet, Louis,D I replied quietly standing in the opening, one hand still on the latch. 'sBut it is just as well for you to be serious about five got the weapon all rfght-see, ''sand push ed the revolver butt forward into his range of vision. q don't mean to hurt you so-Iong as you keep still
 'sWhat-what you a-goin' fer to do. sahg'
 Get away from this ship if can, and you are going to help by remain ing right where you are, boy. First, whats in the small boat, hung to dav- its asteln- provisions, mean?''
 'aThar's a breaker of fresh water, an'-an' package O sea biscuit, sah, Ah--Ah reckon that's all''
 ''Goodi Do you happen to know how far we are, away from the main coast?''
 "A-about thirty-ave mile. sah."
 'sFlorida ?''
 'sYes, sah."
 Gan you tell me the compass point?''
 He scratched his head, his confidence that he was not going to be hurt re- turning as I questioned him.
 'sWaals sah, I ain't no sailorman myself-no, sah-but de second mate he done point it out dis mohnin' when An was on deck, am he say it lay nor'east by east, sah- Ah members