The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-06-10


 another story pumped into me, that's aII''
 '.And ze young woman,'' he persist ed, following me closely, ''why she comeY'
 For the same reason did,
 More like cause she love you, hey! I Sacre! She was fine lookiR girl, but -shrugging his shoulders 'tis Hle capitaine, not ze mate, who may ad- mire. He is ze capitaine; nobody tell him not on ze Sea Gull.''
 left him and walked aft, aware as I turned Of the sheer on his face. Yet even then, although burning with am ger, knew better than to remain. I ! dare not speak the bitter words on l my tongue, feeling certain that what ever said would be repeated to Hen ] ley. knew men we'll enough to un- l derstand the character of the Sea l Gull's captain. With unlimited power in his hands he was not an antagonist to be despiseds Nor did doubt his 1 purpose. Now that he had seemingly I won me over to his scheme he would 1 turn his attention to her. feeling se- cure from interference. And he was H Judge Henley's son or, at least, so I these men believed who had been as- sociated with him for years. The sit a uation grew more and more comph- J cated; it was no longer merely her H word against his. and yet I could not 4 doubt the truth of any statement she 5 had made to me.
 BroussaEd stared in my direction for 5 moment, but made no effort to fol ! low, and finally disappeared forward. There was nothing on sea or land to distract my attention, and I felt that l would be nearer to her below in the cabin than on deck. The skyIight was closed, although even then 1t gave me partial view, and, as I gazed through the clOuded glass I perceived shadow pass. The next instant the negro : steward emerged from the companion. : Some swift impulse led me to crouch instantly out of sight, until the sound of his feet on the deck convinced me the fellow was going forward. T. watched him cautiously. He stopped twice to glance back, but, perceiving nothing, finally vanished into the fore castle.
 The negro's going forward left the captain, and Viola Henley alone be low. I crept to the door of the. com panion and then down the stairs.
 The main cabin was vacant. but the door of No. 5 stateroom stood slightly ] ajar. Assured I should find 1t empty, my heart already beating furiously, took a swift glance within. It in no way differed from the room which had been assigned me opposite, and every thing wassin perfect order. Evidently the girl had departed without sfrug- gle, and with full expectation Of an early return. Her small handbag lay on the berth unIatched, and hand kerchief, together with pairAof gloves, were upon the chair. That she had not gone on deck was certainty, while the deserted cabin led me ire sistibly to suspect the captains quar- ters. He had dismissed the steward on some eDcuse, opened her door, and, using some pretense, or authority, had induced her to accompany him. What could do to help her, to, overcome him, was not evident was alone, unarmed, surrounded by men under his command.
 Possibly even now was under sur veilIance. The negro had left the cabin, knew, but where was Herman? Bronssard was in charge of the deck, and hence this would be the first mates watch below. Impressed with this dis concertdng thought, Iemerged again into the main cabin The stateroorn doors were all closed, and | had to guess which was the Germans. I was sure, however, that Broussard occupied the first on the port side I had heard him open that door while talking to the steward. and it was highly probable the first mate had the apartment oppo-. eite. Judging from the position of the doors. these would be larger than the other stateroonas, and if Herman was the real navigator of the boat he would require good quarters. T listened at the door, but heard nothing, then, rendered desperate by the delay, tried the knob opening noiselessly. A glance con and stepped inside.
 Instantly my mind Ieaped to a con- cIusion-the first mate was not on board; he was ashore with the boat party, and Henley was entirely alone He had taken advantage of the oppor- tunity. But what could I do? If I broke down the door into his cabin the noise would be. heard on deck, and, be sides, the fellow was armed. The only result of such an effort would be my own imprisonment, leaving her in more he1plegs stress than before Without knowing why I peered into the bath room connected with Hernan's state room. It was small, but perfect in ar rangement and, to my surprise, reveal ed second door. In an instant un- derstood-this was not Herman's pr1- vate bath, but was also used by the captain. That second door led to the after cabin. was there in two strides, my ear at the crack listening. Nothing reached me but the murmur of a voice, the words indistinguishable, yet this was sufficient to convince me that 1 was on the right trail The two were together. and here was an opportunity for me to reach them unobserved. Slowly, using every precaution to avoid noise, I turned the knob and opened the intervening door a scant inch. l caught a glimpse of the interior.
 'sYou have trapped me here-you-