The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-06-10

turbed me. The aptain was still in his stateroom, where once or twice I ina gined heard him pacing the floor. The steward had apparently retired for the night although 1t was not late, as glance at my watch proved. My eyes traced the doors on either side, ten altogether, each plainly numbered, and ! I opened the one assigned to me and glanced within. Except that it was more commodieus and contained a washstand at one corner, it did not differ greatly from the other forward where had been held prisoner.
 wondered which of these others might be hers and passed silently from door to door, vaguely hoping for some sign Of guidance. They were all tight ly closed, and I dnre not try the locks, as I was certain one, at least, of the under officers would be sleeping below. My round had brought me to the sec ond door on the port side when in the dim light perceived something lying at my feet and stopped down to better determine it's character. It was the end of very narrow light blue rib bon, apparently caught beneath the door. The door was numbered 5.'' Whether by accident or design, she had left the one cIew I most needed. thrust it into my pocket, but the soft touch of the silk seemed to bring back to me sense of caution. I knew the door was locked and assured myself there was no space beneath. If I Was to communicate with her other means must be employed. Whnt? This was the second stateroom on the port side. Judging from my own, the width of each room would be about six feet. There ought to be no difficulty in Iocat- ing her porthole from the deck above nor in attracting her attention.
 The one thing desired now was to re-establish myself fully in her conf dence, assure her was at liberty on board, able and willing to be of serv- ice. This necessity overshadowed ev- erything else. If I could discover means of communication we could plan hopefully, assured Of co-operat tion This seemed possible. the way to its accomp1 ishment open. shadoHed from obseryation by the thick butt of the after mast, I wrote few lines hastily on tha back Of an envelope tnrsaat 1t into my pocket and Ventured up the compa nion stairs.
 A glance suf1ced to convince that I was alone and unobserved The deck was unobstructed aft, except for "a small boat swung to davits astern and the cabin transoms- These last were elevated some three feet, butcconsider- able space separated from the rail. I slipped into this opening on the port side crouching in the dense shadow until again assured was alone My position afforded as good a view for ward as the darkness would permit and likewise enabled me to see into the dimly lit cabin below. was not watched or spied upon. For the first time began to feel free.
 With a glance below at the unoecuv pied cabin I stepped back and paced off the distance until convinced that had safely located where the pcrthole l of No. 3 should be leaned over. seeking to trace it's outline by some reflection of light from wfthing but the receding side of fhe vessel ba6led me Yet, assured tl1atI must be correct in my measurements, marked the spot on the rail and began search for some means by which I could open com municatton with the girl below
 The flag locker was astern, and l standing on 1t could feel inside the boat swung to the davits. It was a small, light boat, fashioned like cut ter, good seagoing craft for it's size. Two oars and a short mast, together 1 with a roll of canvas, were slowed on
 
 lashfngs. I cut one of these and drew l forth about three fathoms of line, suf- l hcfentIy pl1ab1e for my purpose The boat hung ready for launching, the l falls easily unlocked, and two pair of l hands would be sufficient to lower it l into the water. There was locker 1 forward I was unable to reach. but two water kegs, nl1ed, were strapped under the stern sheets, leading me to believe the craft was fully equipped for immediate service. My mind filled with q daring hope by this discovery fastened the note to the end of the cord, weighted 1t with bunch of keys and crept back to where I had marked the rail. Inch by inch I paid out the i line, leaning well over. At last my ears detected the dangling of the metal lie keys against the glass, and by manipulating the rope, managed to make them sound with clear insistence- I repeated the effort several times be fore there was any response. Then the i port seemed to be opened cautiously, although no gleam of light shot forth. l She had evidently extinguished her lamp before venturing to answer the signal. but I felt her grasp on the cord. Then it was left dangling against the l closed port. leaving me to infer that l she was reading the nasty note.
 My line was again hauled taut, but l as I strengthened up, prepared to hau up the returning message, saw ths shadow of a man passing across tho cabin below. He was already at the foot of the companion stairs; in an other minute he would be on deck There was no time to do otherwise and I released my grasp of the rope letting 1t drop silently into the water
 had barely turned my back to tn rail when Henley emerged within si,
 feet of me.
 "Who is this7 Oh, you, Craig?'' h, questioned sharply. s.Not asleep yet?
 ..Not even drowsy." I said, pretend