The Washington times., 1917-08-05

The officer bowed courteously and
had them conducted to a luXuriously
fitted cabin where a middleaged gen
tleman sat smoking. Something in
the mans manner as they went IN
aroused PEARLS suspicious. A moment
later she heard someone come in be-
hind her. She turned and looked into
the muzzle of a loaded revolver and
above Carslake's mocking eyes.
Pearls first impression was that
CarsIake had followed them to the
yacht and had forced his way to them.
But the attitudes Of the captain and
the girl in black soon undeceived her.
Good work, Eva" said Carslake,
addressing the girl in black, who
beamed under his show OF approval.
You and Welsh did very well. OF
course, the original scheme was
mine. but you carried 1t out neatly.
Your gun. please, Mr.. Knox"
He turned from his decoy to Knox
and slipped the gun out Of Knox's
pocket. with a revolver pointing
straight at his breast, that gentleman
could hardly resist. He realized that
they had been trapped again and that
It was useless to oppose Carslake's
will. here on his own yacht, out Of
touch with land.
No Help for Them.
Thank you" said Carslake. Now
yours. Miss Standish, II you don't
mind"
Not at ALL" replied Pearl grimly.
He took .the gun out OF her hand
bag and turned to the girl in black.
Take her 70 her stateroom and
lock her in. Eva" he commanded
briefly. Then meet here. I'll go
ashore with you"
Yes. sir" replied the girl in black,
readily.
1t was plain that she was one of
his most devoted assistants.
Follow me, Miss Standish'" she
said.
outwardly calm and resigned to the
turn affairs had taken, inwardly re-
bellious, angrily alert.
As the door closed behind them
Carslake smiled at Knox. He had
a trying smile-a tantalizing smile,
most unpleasant to see.
Now. Mr.. Knox. the setting for the
violent diamond. please!'
with a sigh he rellnquished the
setting.
"Ah Thank you." said Carslake pune
tiliously.
He seized the ring. drew the violet dla-
mond from his pocket and fitted them
together
quite correct A perfect At. he muir
INJURED dellghtedly. Then he glanced up
at Knox Now. my friend" he said
you and the young lady are going on a
nice long trip. so that l can get safely
away to n certain-far distant country
Of mystery and romance! l wish you
bon voyage"
Knox made no answer. Carslake threw
open the door OF the adjoining stateroon
and added politely:
BE good enough to step inside. Mr.
Knox"
Seeing the folly OF Directing. Kno1
obeyed. Cars.nke locked the door after
him At that instant tho girl in black
returned.
A Polite Thrent.
"Ah. Eva-all ready7" cried Carslake
Good !" And turning again to the cap,
tain, he said: NO one knows your pas
sengers are on board. so II anything
should happen to them en- route there
would be no investigation. l am sure
should not hold you responsible"
! Yes, sir. / understand perfectly" SAID
/ the captain. nOOuluB-
Good :" sighed Carslake. Good night
then. and good luck"
He turned and went up on deck
followed by the girl in black.
A small motorboRt was waiting AM
CarsIake Immediately took the wheel
In an instant the engine stopped, ant
with a curse Carslake started to in
vestigate. The girl in black coul'
| bava enIiEhtened him for she hal
Just kicked the timer. Instead sh
coat he had hastily thrown of an,
extracted his revolver.
Aware OF some movement behlnr
him, CarslAke turned. The girl Il
black was Pearl!
"You!" he exclaimed. dasedly,
Yes. L" Pearl returned. Eva /
the victim of good heavy waite
pitcher that was in the cabin"
| Carslaks groaned and. cursed him
self for his stupidity,
And now" said Pearl, pleasantly
give me the ring and the diamond
please"
Realizing the futility of any othe
procedure, he handed them to her.
Now head for the police wharf,
she commanded. He obeyed, intend
ing to watch his chance to turn tn
tables on this battling girl who ha
outwitted him. A moment later Will
Pearl, still covering him with tn
, pistol, was backing of to n safe dis
lance, she tripped on an united shO
string. Carslake sprang toward hel
The same instant, she fired and mis-:
cd him, Then she heard a splash