The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-08-31

"Why not Fergus McCann?'
4 "His education, his former life, the
civilization in which he has beer
reared; he has lived among gentle
men,"
Gentlemen" she echoed the word
In scorn. ''His associates have beer
principally gamblers and FOUNDERS. He
is notorious in New York, and his
money. alone gives him entrance to de-
cent circles. He doesn't know what
the word gentleman means. II there
Is treachert behind this, 1t will be the
plan Of Fergus McCann."
"You know him better than l."
II know Of him longer; have heard
more tales, yet surely you saw what
he was in the boat?" ~
you believe, then, the intention is
1 to scuttle the vessel7" ...-l
Eyes, do" r, ~ {,
Z, "And leave us helpless on board?'
Eyes, Mr.. Hollis"
! drew a deep breath, at this direct
verification Of my own secret suspi.
cion.
So do IT, returned in whisper
although I had no thought of telling
you"
"You have some plan, then? You
have considered what to do?" -
mo; hardly that. There will be two
days, at least, before we shall be close
enough to the coast for them to take
to the boats. Much may happen with.
in that time; we may be spoken by
some other vessel, even overhauled by
a warship, and manned by q prize
crew." -
'You hope for this?' r"
"St. Johns Is a naval base; the
closer we approach the harbor the
more apt we are to encounter Brit.
ish cruiser" ....s.
Her fingers grasped my sleeve.
"But, Mr.. Hollis, If all these hopes
fall, and there should be no rescue, is
there not something we can do? Must
we remain here helpless, Just waiting
for death to Gomez"
took the little hands in mine ten.
derby, and, with an effort, controlled
my voice.
Perhaps so, but we cannot be too
cautious. Our only chance is to retain
our freedom, and arouse no suspicion
that we are plotting together. Can you
learn where the others are confined,
and get the word to met"
"Yes," she said. IL think can"
"What is it you think you can do,
Miss Carrington?" said voice quietly.
Mccain stood in the open passage.
way leading to the stewards pantry,
less than fifteen feet distant, a satiri.
cal smile on his lips, as he observed
our familiar position. How long he
had been there, and what portion of
our conversation he had overheard, I
had no means Of knowing, and for the
instant I stood specchess, my brain
blank. Not so with Vera. With a
laugh, ringing out as naturally os
though In full appreciation of some
sudden eleam of hulnor, she withdrew
her hands from mine, turned and faced
him, executing a mocking ,curtsey., ~.
Hardly fair, Mr.. McCann," she sail,
ito steal upon us like that" 49,. E 7r
perhaps not" he answered grimly,
"but just now l am privileged to do
as Iplease on board this Ship Answer
my question-what is it'you think you
can do?" ~ y
Perhaps an answer will be embar-
rassing."
3 "Stop the rplay-acting," he burst
forth, advancing about the stair. rail.
"What were YOU talking about? I want
direct answcrY' 80
The girls long lashes shaded her
eyes, but there was not the slightest
falter to her voice.
captain Hollis" she said softly, al
most regretfully, 'had asked me Tiff
l thought I could learn TOTO like him.
and said IL thought could. That
that was ALL" ,~
Mccain stared at the innocent,
downcast face as though he half be-
lieved the words her lips uttered were
deliberate lies; then he laughed mirth-
lessly. -
Il see," he said with sarcasm. mo
misfortune along other lines is Stuff
ctent to interrupt Mr.. Hollis Iove-mak-
ing. My congratulations, captain, on
even this measure of success"
The hot blood flushed my face, not
so much at the words as the. tone with
which they were uttered. They con-
veyed to me deliberate insult, tin
Cling with a memory of the purpose
he charged me with during our last
Interview. He had not quite. under
stood me before, but now he felt con-
vinced that under all the veneer / was
his kind; and he instantly felt that
he knew just how to deal with my case.
""Your congratulations are appreci.
ated for what they are WORTH" an.
swered, unable to wholly restrain my
self. "But we will let the discussion
end here" .#
"Oh, will wei Well, perhaps you
will recall that circumstances have
changed since our last talk. You are
no longer captain of this ship-I am {;
and will say what / please on board.
The first thing l propose doing is to
tell Miss Darlington who and what
Won are" .. 49, III