The bee., 1914-11-20


mon possessed, yet with machine
like precision that drove the boat fast
and uriously-without attempt to still
the splashing OF their blades. Con-
coalment Of their purpose from those
who remained aboard the schooner
was out of the question. The shouts,
the shots, the play of fashlamps
along the beach-as though Bedlam
had loosed half dozen lunatic will
o. tho wisps upon the holy Ieace Of
night-must have betrayed the fact
that they had turned the tables long
before the dory left the inshore shoals.
The commonest precautions, how.
ever, made them pause and rest upon
their oars while yet q little way from
their goal.
Only an ominous silence rewarded
the utmost efforts of their straining
senses; no sound was audible other
than the gentle whine of an ungreased
block; nothing was visible beyond the
sinister glare of that almost stationary
green lantern.
what think?" Barcus inquired In
a dubious undertone.
mo telling Alan replied in the
same manner. "All chance"
you've got that gun handy i"-with
reference to the rife of which they
had despoiled the victim of the sky's
ill-faith.
Here"
"Then-let's go to i'll Give way!"
A dozen lusty strokes brought them
alongside the schooner, and as the
dory scraped the waist of the larger
vessel the two young men dropped
oars, rose, and seizing the low gun
wales, lifted themselves to the deck.
Nothing opposed them; the deck was
ignorant of other footsteps than their
own, the schooner as silent as only a
becalmed ship can be.
Without further consultation, Alan
led quickly aft and down the compan-
ionway to the cabin, where a dim light
burned-a smoky lamp swinging in
gimbals above cluttered table.
OF the two stateroom doors one dis
closed an empty cabin, the other was
locked
Trying the handle roughly, Alan
fancied he heard a sound within. Paus-
ing, he called, with thrill of fearful
hope
Hello, in there!"
The respone was cry of incredulous
delight: "Alan!"
BY way of answer Alan hurled him
self bodily against the door At the
second impact of shoulders backed by
hundred and eighty pounds Of solid
flesh and dete--gilation, the lock splin-
tered away f.-,I its socket, the door
flew open viii a bang-and Alan into
the room With cry: ''Rose!"
His sweeth ,art met him halfway.
her arms uplifted, her countenance
transfgured.
And Mr.. Barcus turned and slowly
ascended the companionway, his nose
wrinkied with misgivings. F
"Blest IL know how he thinks he
can tell 'em apart" he remarked mot
that Irblame him for taking chance;
IT wouldn't pain me any to nnd out
I'd kissed the wrong girl by mistake-
not, that is, unless she didn't care for
my technique. --i-T
"In that case," he allowed. II guess
the sequel would be apt to prove toll
cradle agonizing!"
Some ten minutes later a hail from
the deck broke the embrace OF the
lovers:
Below there! say-Lawi-wind
a-coming!"
"Right-o! Half a minute!"
But that stipulated delay was sew
eral times multiplied before Alan
showed up on deck to find Barcus
bending a laborious back to the cap
stan.
Lend a hand. can't your Bareus
complained, blowing heavily. 'T didn't
interrupt your amoure Just to get an
audience. The sooner we get this
anchor in"
Alan checked him with a hand on
his arm. whats that?" he demanded
in tone tense with apprehension.
The muffied running of heavy-duty
marine motor drifted down on the
wings of the sluggish wind.
Don't ask me-I'm afraid to guess!"
But they couldn't possibly"
"Since when did you set up to be
a Judge of possibilities? Nothing prob
able ever happened to you in all your
yong life-'s far's l can make out. As
for mel know there are at least two
life-saving stations on Nauset. both
with modern equipment-motor life
boats and all; and nothing will ever
persuade me that pack OF wolves
would stick at breaking In and confis-
eating one Of the same. It's al likely
as not-only more 30. Our present
business Is to get the HI out OF here
and not advertise our exit. either,
Take that port light IN and dowBe II,
while I do the same by the starboard.
Then duck below. warn your Dulcinea.
and put out the cabin lamp. That way
II this blackness and our bullluck
only holds-we may manage an eva
sion!"