The weekly times-record., 1914-12-31
By LOUIS JOSEPH VANC
Copyright, 1914 By Louis Joseph Vance

nad the life-saving patrol to look to
Tor protection. But the service is sus-
pended IN June and July"
! A silence commenced eloquently on
this assertion, broken only when Mr..
Law voiced thought bred of long and
malignant observation of the schoon-
er's green eye:
I'D give a deal to know who's
aboard that vessel"
"You don't mean you think your reg
ular young woman-?"
''It's possible. Judith kidnapped
Rose in Portland. That's not so far
from Gloucester; motor car could
have caught that schooner before she
sailed to wa;lay us, this morning. And
what better way to take care Of an
able-bodied, full.tempered girl you've
kidnapped than to ship her somewhere
by sea, in the care Of trustworthy
hellions?"
Don't ask me-Ive done very little
kidnapping for one Of my years."
For tuppence," said Mr.. Law, I'D
risk swim off to that boat and see
for myself"
For two million dollars-I would
mott" Barcus affirmed with great de-
cision.
A moment or so later the line of
little flames went out altogether and
unexpectedly; and the owner Of the
late Seaventure fancied he could hear,
even at that distance, the hiss of
charred and smoldering timbers sucked
under and drowned out.
Exit" he announced plaintively,
"exit Seaventure, with heroic gesture.
"R. !. p a good little ship!"
Alan Law sat up, abstractedly scrub.
bing Q crust OF sand from his cheeks
and commented soulfully: "Oh-
damn"
THAT goes double here" his com.
panion rejoined. "And the way l
see it, I've got right to do all the
cussing at this juncture of our hero's
foolish, but fascinating adventures.
I'm the injured party-it was my boat,
and now it's gone. I'm broke for fair.
Gee!" he pursued vindictively. -.
"Oh, let up, can't you'll" Mr.. Law
exclaimed peevishly. I'm sorrier than
you are-and after all, it's my loss;
I've got to buy you cIlother boat. All
you've lost is your temper"
And my susceptibility - the charms
OF tho well-known SEX" Mr.. Barcua
corrected. Nothing can ever restore
my lost faith in gentle woman's gentle
, ness. When you brought that young
woman aboard l thought butter
wouldn't melt in her mouth, and for a
while l actually contemplated doing
her the kindness OF tipping you over
into the drink, SOS she could lavish
her tender affections on a regular guy.
someone able to appreciate her-mean.
ing me, of course. And first thing
know, she ups and points gun at my
head and tips me overheard, and then
makes a pretty bonfire out Of my
sailboat And all the excuse you can
produce is that she's crazy In the
head! Well, who said she wasn't !
Any woman who would consent to
elope with you is a fit subject for a
commission de lunatico inquirendo, all
right"
IF you inflicted any such monologue
as that on Judith" retorted Mr.. Law,
II don't blame her for trying to slay
you, and I'm sorry I interfered."
"Theres gratitude for you!'" Mr..
Barcus remarked bitterly. II risk my
life for you, and you won't even let
me talk about it,"
1T isn't your talking mind-it's
the everlasting noise you make" Mr..
Law explained. "Besides-listen!"
For a moment the two maintained
attentive silence.
A silken whisper troubled the 81
lence, little futter of sound from far
across the waters. Gradually 1t gath
cred volume, became recognizable as
the lisp of cautious oars.
I'm going away from here" Mr..
Barcus announced guardedly, and gath
cred his legs under him preparatory
to rising.
"Half second" Alan Law insisted,
rising in turn and grasping the other
by the arm. They've got to land
haven't they?--and leave the boat
while they look for us. Well, then,
what's to prevent our hiding in the
dunes and-?"
In the next breath, Look out" he
shrieked.
With no warning whatever, and
within fifty feet Of them, a CHASTITY
fare broke out in full blaze on the
surface Of the water, revealing the
shape of a dory which had drawn in
unseen under cover Of the profound
darkness, and at the same time dis
covering to its occupants the two
startled figures on. the beach.
Before they could etir the weird
light glimmered on a polished weapon
in the bow of the boat, spiteful
tongue of reddish fame spat out, q
bullet sang between Messrs. Law and
Barcus, and with sad thud Of disap-
pointment buried itself in the sands OF
| Aho ,,,o~o oo&o,, h1,,fP hohind <hovo