Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-07-25
TILE M11CKEP By EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS
1 H. NlNAN1ALlC Author Of TARZAN NandM MARS STORIES

the direction Of sImms. faction when ht
was stopped by the low voice Of the gir
behind him.
Larry" she said. II know everything
your entire connection with this plot II
you have a spark of honor or manhood left
you will do what little you can to retrieve
the wrong you have done me and my father.
You can mover marry me. 4 give you my
word Of honor that shall take my own life
II that is the only way to thwart your plans
in that direction and so, az the fortune car
never be yours Il seems to me that the
next best thing would be to try to save me
from the terrible predcament in which
your oupidity has placed me. You can make
the start now, Larry, by walking over and
placing yourself at Mr.. Theriere's disposal.
He has promised to help and protect me-"
A deep flush mounted to the mans neck
and face He did not turn to face the girl
he had so grievously wronged-for the life
of him he could not have met her eyes.
Slowly he turned and, with gaze bent upon
the ground, walked toward Theriere.
Ward was quick to recognize the turn
events had taken and to see that II gave
Therlere the balance of power, with two
guns and nine men in his party against
their two guns and seven men.
II also was evident to him that to the
other party the girl would naturally gravi-
tate, since Divine, an old acquaintance, had
cast his lot with III nor had the growing
intimacy between Miss Harding and The
riere been lost upon him.
Ward knew that Simms was an arrant
coward, nor was he himself overly keen for
an outstanding, man-to-man encounter such
as must quickly follow any attempt upon
his part to uphold the authority of Slmms
or their claim upon the custody Of the girl.
Intrigue and trIckery were more to Mr..
Wards liking, and so he was quick to alter
his plan OF campaign the instant that II
har oTraA nNgido donN haN haA all nd 70
join forces with the opposing faction.
II reckon" he said. directing his remarks
toward no one In particular, that we've
all been rather hasty in this matter, bein'
het UP as we were with the strain of what
we been through, an so Il seems to me,
taltln' into consideration that Mr.. Theriere
really done his best to save the ship, an
that as a matter of fact we was all mighty
lucky to come out of II alive. that we'd
better let bygones be bygones-for the time
bein', at least-an' all Of us pitch in to save
what wo can from the wreckage, hunt water,
rig up a camp an get things sort o. ship
shape here, instid O. squabblin' among our
selves"
"Suit yourself" said Theriers "it's all
the same to u.s." and his use of tho objective
pronoun seemed definitely to establish the
existence of his faction as a separate and
distinct party.
Slmms, from years of experience with
anything that Ward proposed, though he
had not the brains always to appreciate the
purposes that prompted Wards suggestions.
Now, therefore. he nodded his approval Of
Squint Eyes proposal, feeling that what
ever was in Wards mind would be more
likely to work out to Skipper Simm's inter-
ests than some unadvised act of Skipper
Simms himself
"Supposin'," continued Ward. that we let
two o. your men an two o. ourn under Mr.
Divine shin up them cliffs back o. the cove
an search for water an site fer camp
the rest o. us II have our hands full with
the salvage"
Good ~ agreed Theriere Miller you
and Swenson will accompany Mr.. Divine"
Ward detailed two of his men and the
party of five began the difficult ascent Of
the cliffs.
Far above them little brown man, with
beady, black eyes set in narrow feshly Sits,
watched from behind a clump of bushes
Strange. medieval armor and two wicked
looking swords gave him most warllke
appearance.
His temples were shaved and broad
strip on the top OF his head to just beyond
the crown. His remaining hair was drawn