The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-06-15
SsThe Duke of Oblivion

way" l cautioned.
Suddenly the guard. which was
dranw up across the entrance.
swung back and brought their
swords sharply to the present.
What's this?" said Brinsmade.
more guards, reckon" Rosa
lind replied.
"Or guests arriving for the
wedding" Justince muttered.
AT all events, it's not Hatch
and his men," said /.
The next instant. the Marquis
came swinging up the stairway
and beside him was Antoine De
Verdenois.
How do you do, Mr.. De YER
denois!" said, stepping forward.
Surprised to see us?"
'Not as surprised to see you,
as you are to Sc me, Mr.. Cardi-
gan" he replied, removing his
cap and bowling to the ladies.
MY surprise came when | saw
the Baccaneer lying peacefully
within the fog line. 1t is mighty
fine to come up with you all
again." as he shook hands with
us; mighty fine, indeed. Your
captain tells me that you found
the island yesterday-how strange
it is that no one ever stumbled on
it before!"
How did you stumble on it,"
said |.
1T was this way said he; 81
was at Savannah la Mar when
CHANGED to hear a negro mention
the mysterious island. Ordinarily
it would have made no impression
ON me; but our recent converse
ton in Charleston, impelled me
to investigate-and here | am. "
He turned toward the Marquis,
who had halted step away and
was awaiting, a supercilious smile
on his weak face.
One word more with my
friends, sir, and l am at your
service" he said politely.
The Marquis bowed stiffly.
De Verdenois bowed back at
him; then he turned to us.
What is this, anyway" he
said; "a comic-opera or a moving
picture show"
/ explained the situation,
Il am glad l came.'s he ex-
claimed when / had finished.
We're five now. Have you any
plan,' may | ask?" -.
Here was poser. How could
| evade without showing my dis
trust; and yet, II he were sincere,
distrust was the last thing for us
to show! | met the situation by
a compromise, or rather by hedg-
ing.
Wouldn't 1t be wiser" | asked
mot to answer your question un-
til after your interview with the
Duke"
ITO be told that I'm fassigned
in marriage to some female No,
thank you! Have at them, my
friends, as soon as you wish---and
count me in. I'm fond of a scrap
and three men are always bet
ter than two; particularly" and
he smiled charmingly again,
when they are fighting under
the eyes of the fair"
| noticed that this smile was
directed mainly at Justine. Well,
Justine was as lovely In her type
as Rosalind-and l quite approx
ed his choice. Whether | ap-
proved of him was another mat
ter, and in the future.
THE Duke and the Marquis
are coming" said Rosalind just
then.
LET them come" said I, with
sudden resolution. "We'll seize
them as hostages-we'll go to
Hatch, and take their Royal High
nesses along to the launch"
who is Hatch?" De Verdenois
asked.
Our boatswain-in command
OF our escort; they're somewhere
below. When l give the word,
we'll grab the two and rush the
guard. Above all things" look
ing hard at De Verdenois, don t
let us get separated"
De Verdenois nodded-and |
saw that he understood.
gave a quick glance at the
others-they were waiting the
word.
"Now" said I.
And the Duke and the Marquis
were looking into the muzll,s of
our automatics.
CHAPTER VII.
Gone.
For an instant, both we're
speechless-the Duke from angry
establishment; the Marquis from
fear.
The former found his voice
first:
what is the meaning of this
outrage?" he demanded.
Outrage" said /. You're a
fine villain to talk of outrage"
A warning cry from Rosalind
/ A u "