The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-11-12

open. She saw it all now-she was
in ships hold, and beyond all aid
She called out, but got no answer
Exhausted by her fruitless efforts, al
last she flung herself down upon a
with shrek of terrori
The bundle beneath her had stirred
-moved-yes, she was sure of that!
1t moved again. Terrified as she was,
she stopped and cut the thongs which
bound the neck of the long bag of
jute.
There appeared to her gaze the
tousled head and livid face of her
friend Roleaui Without her knowl-
edge he had been hoisted in with her
and left to live or die, as he chose,
bound tight in a bag which gave him
| little enough chance for air.
Kitty gave cry of delight and dis
may mingled as she bent above her
friend. He was half unconscious, un-
able to speak, because tightly gagged.
She aided him and freed him as she
might. The air, bad as it was, pres
emily began to revive the sufferer.
"Excellency," said he at last, lex
cellency, it is youi And where are
| WEI"
I do not know, Roleau," said she.
Il can only guess. We are somewhere
in the hold of some ship. We must
have been smuggled here, for what
| purpose I do not know. 1t may be
we shall be carried out to sea. How
then can we escape?"
The boat now was far from the dock
in the lower bay of Grahoffen harbor.
Under full way, she was headed for
the open sea. The executive officer
came to the captain in his office, and
the latter turned upon him an inquir-
ing eye.
Steam yacht on our starboard quar-
tiers, SIR said the latter, going fast,
flying signals for us to- slow down 80
he may come aboard
Come aboard-when we are under
way and two hours back of our sailing
hour? A pest take these little states
which are fighting this cat and dog
war! We have nothing to do with
that-and l warrant it yonder stranger
has"
What orders, sir?"
Straight ahead, and full speed.''
Very good, SIR
What is the hour, Judson?' de-
manded the captain as the executive
turned away.
-Four bells, SIR"
Make it So" And thus in nautical
terms the voyage of the Prinz Adler
was begun.
Begun, but not ended Begun, but
soon to be broken. The fast yacht
swerved slightly and headed on such
an angle as would intercept the liners
course. She sailed a splendid gait,
her clean-cut bows rising black above
the waves as now and again she
leaped from one crest to another in
her desperate speed Some man was
driving her who had a purpose; that
was plain.
The captain himself went on deck
as he heard the sound of distant
shot. 1t had come from the yachts
bow gun, formidable looking black
piece which might carry iron enough
20 Sink helpless liner.
THE damned piratei" exclaimed the
captain. A second report, a second
plunge, of white ahead gave him warn
ng that it was time to halt.
He'll sink US if we don't slow
down." muttered the captain His
hand went out to the engine-room
A third shot gave evil
lence enough of the yachts inten-
ions. Once more the engine bells
angled far below. The order had
,ome to slow down, to reverse. The
liant liner trembled, half paused, slow
y Stacked her speed, and at last lay
'urring, even 23 the yacht swung
Witty alongside.
What do you want?" called the cap
ain of the Prinz Adler. addressing
tall figure which stood at the bow
f the yacht. What do you mean by
topping my ship?''
Send me boat at once,' was his
My answer. Il will explain when /
ONE aboard. Hesitate and you may
sgret it."
Feeling under this the threat which
lay or may not have been meant in
nth, but which served none the less,
ships boat put out to the yacht
nd brought Count Frederick aboard
e at once made his way to the cap
lin, whom he addressed brusquely.
You have persons aboard this ship
no are fugitives from justice. | come
our kings name to search you be-
re you leave the three-mile limit
our own waters. Perhaps you are
norant of these facts yourself. Lay
!, while we try to get the informa-
On confirmed for you. l know they
e on board"
They were indeed on board, but
me knew of their presence. Far be-
ath the lowest deck of the ship the
ilty deck hands had met their pris-
ers and sought to use such argu-
ents as they could find to induce
cir silence.
AS for Roleau, he would hear to
thing. The joy of combat once more
me to his SOUL He fell upon these
amen and weak as he still was