Putnam patriot., 1915-03-05


 .autiously The door was unlocked. opening noiSelessly. A glance con- sinced me the room was uuoccupied, tnd ] stepped inside
 instantly my mind leaped 10 con rlu:;i0n-the drSt mate was not on 'lnasi: he w:c, ashore with Ihe boa artt. and Henley was entirely alone. le had taken advantage of the oppor- unity But what could l do: If treke down he door into his cabin the llise would be heard ou deck. and. be tles. the fellow was armed. The only eSlIlt of such an effort would be my lwn Imprisonment lenvng her in more ieIpieSS stress than before Without lnowms why l beered into the bath oom connecred with Hermans state toom. II was small. but perfect in ar 'an.ement and. to my surprise, reveal ed second door. In an instant 1 uD- derSiood ihis was not HerInan's pri- rate bath. but was also used by the rapiain That second door led to the after cabin. 1 was there in two strides. my ear at The crack listening Nothing reached me but the murmur of voice. The words ndistinglishab ble yet this was sufficient 10 convince me that l was on the right trail The two were together. and here was an opportunity for me to reach them unobserved, Slowly. using every preeaution to avoid noise turned the knob and opened the intervening door a scant inch. l caught d glimpse of the interior,
 You have trapped me here-you- you brute" beard her say.
 Well. what of It:" insinuatingly. Why shouldn't it be me. my dear. as well as the other?'
 What do you mean? Do you con uect me with Gordon Craig?"
 .'Of course" and he laughed. Why shouldn't l. please: You came with cling as his wife? happen to know vonr history
 She took deep breath. standing straight before him. her cheeks burn ing
 Perhaps you think you do." she said.  YOU are going to learn your mistake. [ am here under unpleasant circum- stances. yet l am not subject to yonr insult. 1 refuse to answer you or re- main in your presence. She stepped aside. leaving free passage. You will unlock that door
 Hardly that. and I could see his A.. l tbx. fnn saf n desk Tt takes more than few words to change me. Really. l like you better than l did You are decidedly pretty now you are angry. Besides, what have to be afraid off There is no one but LIS in this part of the ship: fixed that up before went aft CT vou: even your friend Craig is incoming around somewhere on deck I'm captain of the Sea Gull. and there's not a rapscallion on board who would risk his skull to help yon Even Craig wouldn't; he even told me him self you were nothing to him"
 "He-he told you that.'
 He certainly did-in this room Come now. what is the nse of being such a cat:' He took step forward. but she never moved
 Don't tonch me- she said in tone that stopped him. Il am woman but can defend myself
 That is the worst thing you can do threaten me- he said sharply. i never take that from man or woman. See here. Do you realize where you are-how completely you are in my power? The door is locked. and you haven't any weapon Don't try to fool me,'
 .l have told you onee.' she said earnestly. not to touch me.
 "Til take q chance. You re worth it..
 saw her struggle to break free. and then ont of the shadow 1 ieaped at him. both hands seeking his throat There was to be no atarIn. no shooting if it could he avoided. The very i'm