The Washington herald., 1914-04-05

clappfn the darbies on these young
sparks. an then"
BY what rightT' roared Rafies. in
ringing voice, and never saw his face
in such a blaze. Search US II you like:
search every scrap and stitch we pos
sess; but you dare to lay a finger on "
without a warrant"
IT wouldna' dare."N said Mackenzie
gravely. as he fumbled in his breast
pocket. and Paffies dived his hand into
his own. ''Haud his wrist?' shouted the
Scotchman: and the huge Colt that had
been with US many a night but had new
er been fired in my hearing. clattered
on the table and was raked in by the
| captain.
'.An right" said Rafies savagely to
! the mate. You can let go now
| let's see your warrant"
Ven no mishandle it?''
What good would that do me? Let
me see it, said Raffies. peremptorily,
and the detective obeyed.
"wull that do for ye?" inquired Mac
kenzie.
! TT may. I congratulate you, Macken-
zie; it's a strong hand. at any rate. Two
burgIaries and the Melrose necklace.
Bunny" And he turned to me with a
rueful smile.
ITO think" said the captain reproach-
fully. that my shib should be made a
den of thiefs! 1t shall be a very disa-
greeable madder. I have been obliged TO
pud you both in irons until We ged to
Nables."
Surely not" exclaimed Raffies. Cap
tain. We can't escape: surely you could
hush it up for the night? Look here.
here's everything I have in my pockets:
you empty yours. too, Bunny. and they
shall strip US stark il they suspect we've
weapons up our sleeves
"Webbons you may not have" said the
captain; but wad about der bearl dat
you were sdealing?"
You shall ave it," cried Rafles You
shall have it this minute if you guaran-
tee no public indignity on board!''
That I'll see to-" said Mackenzie. "as
now. where is't?"
''On the table under your nose"
My eyes fell with the rest. but no pearl
was there; only the contents of our pock-
ets-our watches. pocketbooks. pencils.
shiny table along with the revolvers al
ready mentioned.
Mackenzie opened the cigarette cases
and shook each particular cigarette.
Thereupon Rafhes prayed to be allowed
to smoke one. and. when his prayer was
heard, observed that the pearl had been
on the table much longer than the Gig
arettes. Mackenzie promptly caught up
the Colt and opeLed the chamber in the
butt
Not there, not there" sai6 Rafles:
but you're getting hot. Try the car
tridges''
Mackenzie emptied them into his palm.
and shook each one at his ear without
result.
''Oh. give thom to me-
And. in an instant Raf1cs had found
the right one. had bitten out the bullet.
and placed the emperor's pearl with q
flourish in the center Of the table
After that you will perhaps show m.
such little consideration as is in your
power. Captain. have been a bit of a
villain. as you see. and as such I am
ready and willing to lie in irons all night
if you deem it requisite for the safety
one favor first
That shall deh"nd on wad der favor
has been"
Captain. I've done worse thing
aboard your ship than any OF you know.
I have become engaged to be married.
and want 10 say govd-by.'
I suppose We were all equally amazed:
but the only one to express his amaze
ment was Won Huemann. whose deep
chested German oath was almost his
first contribution to the proceedings He
was not slow TO follow it. however. with
a vigorous protest against the proposed
farewell: but he was overruled. and the
masterfuI prisoner had his way. He was
10 have five minutes with the girl. whTs
the captain and Mackenzie stood within
range Cbut not earshoO. with their re-
EOlvers behind their backs. AS we were
moving from the cabin. in a body, he
stopped and gripped my hand.
$50 I've let you in at last. Bunny-at
asst and after cil. But you won't get
nuch-I don't see why you should get
anything at all Can you forgive me?
This may be for years, and Mt may be
orever. you know. You were a good
,al always when il came to the scratch: +
ome day or other you mayn't be so sorry
o remember you were a good pal at the
asst"
There was a meaning in his eye that
nderstood; and ny teeth were set. and
ny nerves strung ready. as l wrung that
trong and cunning hand for the last
ime in my life.
How that last scene stays with me, and
'ill stay to my death, The captains
ahin opened to starboard. and the star
Oard promenade deck, sheetcd with SUM-
hine and scored with shadow. was de-
erted but for the sroup of which I was
ne. and for the pale. slim, brown fE-
re further aft with ..affics.
Suddenly-an instant-and the thing
'as done-R thing I have never known
neither to admire or to detest. He
aulht her-he kissed her before US all
len flung her from him so that she al
lost fell II was that action which fore
I'D the next. The mate sprang after
i'm. and I sprang after the mate.
Raffics was on the rail. but only just
Hold him. Bunny he cried. Hold
i'm tight
And. as l obeyed that last behest with
Il my might. without a thought OF what
was doing. save that he bade me do 1t,
saw his hands shoot up and his head
Dh down, and his 1.-the spare body cut