Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-02

, regards clothing and physical condition.
They were a rough-ooking crew that
tumbled down the stairs, with three seamen
of the Myosotis and the second mate, all
armed, at their heels. Three had their
forearms supported by loops-one wore
spllnts; another llmped painfully, and his
hollow eyes spoke eloquently OF the anguish
exertion gave him still another was one
mass Of bandages, reekinE OF iodoform,
about his head-uuite effectualIy masked
and the last-how my heart leaped at the
recognition of his tan, spare figure was
Sevrance himself
jumped forward TO greet him, but the
mate shouldered me roughly aside. stand
back !" he growled-- an evil-visaged scoun-
drel and proddod me with the point of a
revolver.
gave In with a laugn. sevrance caught
my eye his own beaming with joy TO see
me safe and virtually sound, and smiled
wanly.
A silence fell in the saloon; we awaited
De Netze. A dry cough heralded his ap-
proach, and presently he appeared, stepping
softly down the port passageway-calm,
collected and smiling, as fragile of appear
ance as ever.
To her ladyship first he bowed. and
deeply. His eyes next fell upon me- and
he honored me with look informed with
wonder and compassion. Sevrance also he
greeted, crossing the saloon to offer us each
his hand and say few words or regret at
tne lll-SuCCesS OF our venture, IN WniCn MS
own hopes had been so bound. / barely
recall what he said; doubtless the phrases
themselves were conventional enough: Il
was the meaning, the sincerity. with which
they were delivered that convinced me Of the
Russians honest sympathy.
He at least. believe to this day, had no
hand in the business of the Vistula. That
had been Holzborn's private venture, his
own fell design
Abruptly Won Holzborn broke the con-
.E..A III.
bent forward, his inscrutable gaze bent upon
the hands which lay before him, clasped
upon the table.
Gentlemen" he sald speaking with de-
liberation. II have called you here to form
what we may term a council of war" He
paused, looking around from face to face
of those whom he might consider of his
party.
I'VE are, as you know, in peril of arrest |
gentlemen. 1t Is n certainty that already |
the affair Of yesterday evening has reached |
not alone the authorities. but also the pub
lie. The withdrawal Of the English de-
stroyer without delay means but one thing
that she has sought the nearest port, In |
Immediate and pressing need of repairs |
l. Is, then a foregone conclusion that her |
officers and crew will lose no time in
spreading the account of the battle between 4
the Clymene and the Japanese destroyer"
started slightly. Won Holzborn, as he
spoke. was scrutinizing us keenly; fortu-
my way and did not remark my agitation
AS for the others, they did not show any
signs OF noticing aught amiss with the
drift of his remarks
''Wo have, therefore," he continued pom
derously, chosen and Judged 1t advisable
to get to the Atlantic with the least possible
delay. In fact, we are now off the Hebrides
Our ultimate destination remains a moot
question. 1t has been suggested, and I ad-
NIT that /, for one favor the suggestion
that make for the South Pacific avOid-
Ing the usual course of ocean traffic The
Myosotis. as most of you know, is provis-
ioned for a long cruise, and herself entirely
a seaworthy craft. The project is one en-
tirely feasible Once in the South Pacific
we can make for one of the Carolinas the
Sojomons or the Ladrones-the field is
large-and there lie in safety until this
matter has blown over-passed into his
tory. 1t might be advisable to change the
name of the yacht, but that is n detail"
He paused. De Netze spoke.
II would indorse that SUGGESTION" he said,
with an amendment-at some convenient
point I can be landed. to make my way
back to Russia. You may safely, / think
count upon my keeping silence"
He smiled. Won Holzborn nodded agree
ment to him. There will be no objection
raised, am sure" he said. But now q
fresh complication has presented itself.
Against my better judgment, but in defer
ence to the wishes of Monsieur de Netze,
caused boats to be lowered after the de-
plorable disaster of yesterday evening" and
n search to be made for survivors--with
the result you see."
With a wave of his hand he indicated
the waiting line OF those who were virtu-
ally prisoners. discriminating witnesses |
gentlemen" he asserted. 1--WE must have |
a care in handling them. Two at least |
Ne Trail and Mr.. Sevrance-are openly |
ny enemies. I think I'VE can count upon |
their continued hostility to whatever plan |
we settle upon. Am I right?"
You are certainly right" I gave him
answer without delay.
ITO the end" agreed Sevrance with a
short laugh.
You see. Gentlemen-you. monsieur;