The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1914-09-10

raunoye II upobserved. This appealed
TO me as by far the most probable e1-
PLANTATION. The door opened again,
and the guard stood revealed before
me in the glare OF light
"The old man wants you, he e1-
planned brusquelT, waving his hand
aft as though specifying the direction
Come on. now"
/ preceded him along the narrow
passage. The cabin was nnoccupied.
the table swung up against the beams
of the upper deck, the heavy chaiR
moved back. leaving wide open space.
The furnishings were rich, in excellent
taste. 1t was a yachtlike interior.
There was but one door, evidence that
a single cabin occupied the entire
space astern, and I stopped before 1t,
my companion applying his knuckies
to the wood. but without removing
his watchful eyes from me. a mufiied
voice asked who was there. and at the
response replied:
"Open the door and show him in, Pc
tiers, and remain where you are within
call"
entered and found myself upon
plain, uncarpeted deck. the white walls
and ceiling undecorated. On one side
was a double tier OF berths, lockers
were between the ports, and heavy
curtains draped the two windows aft.
Opposite the berths was an arm rack.
containing a variety of weapons, and
the only floor covering was a small
rug beneath a desk near the center OF
the apartment. This latter was litter
ed with papers, among them map or
two, on which courses had been prick
ed Beyond these all the room con-
tanned was a small bookcase. crowded
with volumes. and a few chairs. only
one upholstered The only person
present occupied this, and was seated
at the desk, watching me, cigarette
smoking between his fingers. 1t was
the olive hued man of the cellar. the
one | had picked as leader. and his
teeth CLEANED white in an effort to
smile. In spite OF his skin and dark
eyes ] could not guess at his nation
ality. but felt an instructive dislike to
him, more deeply rooted than before.
now that | comprehended how COM
pletely | was in his power.
"Take a seat. Craig" he said, speak
ing with a faint accent barely percep-
tible The second chair will be found
the more comfortable. Now we can
talk easily. May / offer you a cigar
ette:"
accepted it more to exhibit my own
GOODNESS than from any desire to
smoke, but without other response.
81 trust you have been fairly COM
Portable since coming on board the
Sea Gull"
As much so as a prisoner could
naturally expect to be- | replied in
differently. This vessel. then. is the
Sea GULF"
AT present-yes. The name Is i'm
material, so long as it sounds well and
conforms to the manifest However.
just now the register reads Sea Gull.
Henley, master; $50 tons. schooner
rugged yacht"
"You are under steamf'
"Exactly-auxiliary steam power"
"ln what trader
Operated for pleasure exclusively
a slight tone of mockery In the soft
voice. "A rather expensive luxury. Of
course. but available all the year
around in this latitude
Il failed to catch the captains
name-yours. presume?'
He laughed, pausing to light anoth-
er cigarette.
Still. it is one you seem fairly ia
miliar with-Henley. Philip Henley"
This statement of his identity, spok-
en- calmly and smilingly, was sur
prise.
ly. apparently compromising my
state of mind, your little game is up.
Not a bad plan originally-somethin
of criminal genius that fellow Neale
but he failed to count on the fact
that was very much alive and fully
capable of attending to my own af-
fairs. By the way, what part did the
girl play in this little conspiracy?
Merely a friend of yours who came
along for company"
Certainly notv' replied indignant
Iy. Have you seen her"
mot yet. 1 preferred coming to an
understanding with you first
"A condition you may not find as
easy as you anticipate" l retorted,
angered at his cool insolence. IF you
are Philip Henley. then the lady you
are holding prisoner is your wife,"
He laughed. leaning back again In
his chair.
well, hardly. Permit me to state,
my dear sir. that | possess no such
encumbrance."
ut happens" I contended coldly,
that I have seen the marriage certiti-
cate"
"Oh, you have. AS much forgery
as some of these other precious docu
ments. You will certainly grant that
| ought to know whether am married
or not"
II made no assertion relative to
that"
what did you assertT'
"That Philip Henley was married
and that his wife or widow, as the