Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-11-03

and put my full strength to 1t. The
bar was Of oak, but the jambs soft
pine, and the nails drew out. creakins
slightly, but making no noise to create
any alarm. twas 20 intensely dark !
could not even perceive the outlines d
the mans figure, yet felt aware that
Ieayord frOnted me In the open door.
He found rny hand somehow. and
gripped It. 4 5J II,
I'm sure glad to. meet you. captain
he exclaimed. heartily, land get out o.
that hole. WHAT'S the word, sir7''
"Release the others, and get busy;
minutes are worth hours now. Mccain
and his fang IRE deserving ship; they
have the boats provisioned, and along
side already; that IL why the guards
have been withdrawn"
They were going to leave " aboard
locked inT'
| "Aye, ana with the sea-cocks open;
dead men tell no tales.
He whistled. his fist shifting the
wood Of the door. '
"The dirty houndi And where are
we, sir ~ l-.a- as
"Off the Newfoundland coast; they
think less than nifty miles, but there's
nearly q hundred miles OF blue water
to the west Of us. Here's the way Of
it In 4 nutshell: was locked In my
stateropm the same az you. It was
Miss Darlington who gave US our
chance. She became friendly with Nc
Cam, and agreed to 60 with him. She
was left free on board, and managed
| to release me while the crew were all
on deck. The steward was left on
watch in the cabin, and she had to hit
him with this iron.'
"She did! Lord, I'd never have
thought 1t Of that slip Of thing!
What's become O. the girl1''
'She's In her room, waiting for Nc
Cam to come down for her. She'll de-
| lay him all she can. Is this the doorf"
AYE, aye, sir; and give me the from"
He was not minute at the job, and
1t required scarcely longer TO acquaint
the other two released men with a
knowledge Of the situation. Olson
picked up the bar of wood for
weapon, asking simply:
"vat we do now, captain? Iss 1t to
aght7'
"Hushl" whispered Masters, there's
someone coming up the ladder"
| We crept back into the bosum's state
room and waited breathlessly. There
was scarcely room for the four Of us,
and the door caught, and would not
wholly close. Adm light reflected
llong the walls Of the passage, making
me aware that the fellow who was
slowly climbing the iron ladder from
below, had lantern with him. Lea
yord retained the iron leg. and drew
my gun, holding 1t tight gripped In one
hand. The mans head and shoulders
emerged through the round opening.
and the dim light enabled me to recog-
nize TOM Dugan. He paused on the
edge, looking down.
"All quiet enough up here" he called.
"You better draw the fires, Tony"
"No use O. that" answered a sullen
voice from a distance. 1.-THE water
will fx 'em in half an hour; there's two
cocks open. I'm goin' on deck; that
crooked millionaire don't git no chance
ter drown me-"
Dugan laughed.
.Always thinkin' how to git out Of
i scrape safe. Yer got yer price, didn't
yer1"
Enough ter make me want ter live
long 'nough ter spend 1t, anyhow. Are
you comm down this way agin, Du-
tgan7"
"No; I'll have q look at the cabin on
my way up; the boss doesn't want any
mistake made. There's nuthin' LETT
ter do aboard this hooker: shes tick-i
eted for Davy Jones!''
| He stared below minute, as though
to make sure Of what Tony was doing
down in the engine room; then, appar-
emily satisfied, swung to nrm footing
on the deck Of the passage. flashing his
Hight aft. The radius was small, and
his glance must have revealed nothing
strange, for the fellow whistled softly
as he advanced.
He was almost at the stateroom door
behind which we were hiding before he
even noted the absence Of the wooden
bars which had confined the prisoners.
He stopped, a look of anazement on
bis face, the lantern swung higher to
throw the light forward. Before he
could move l.mb, had stepped forth
into the radiance, the muzzle Of my re-
volver held within three inches Of his
eyes.
Don't drop your hands, Dugan." I
said sternly. mot an inch, you brute.
Here, Leayord, take the lantern from
him. Move quietly, all Of you. Now.
Olson, II there IL sheet In there. or
anything you can make cord out Of.
bring It to ms-yes, take the lantern
a minute. Good that viii answer; now
lads, make 1t strong, sailors knot"
Dugan sputtered and swore under
his breath, but the shock had robbed
him Of all power Of resistance. never
saw { more amazed look In mans
eyes. He stared ut NJ AZ though we
were ghosts raised from the grave to
haunt him. ~ si8f
Anyone below beside Rapsllor !
asked, gripping his shoulder 20 as IT,
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