American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-11-09

safe In New York, or rotting in an Eng-
ish, or French prison." he said sullen-
ly. Besides, that's not all. I've got
a deal on there that means more than
a million dollarsl l can't afford to
drift about here on this rotten tramp"
"The saving of this boat and cargo
means more to Bascom than your mill
lion dollar trade does to you"
whats Bascom's affairs to mel" he
sneered. HE took his chances, didn't
he? You seem to think l owe the man
something. 1 suppose he told you, or
else the girl did. that 1 crippled him
for life. Well, he deserved all he got.
l pay my debts, let me tell you, and
I've got some against you to be settled
yet. Don't preach Philip Bascom to
me. It's not for his sake you are hang
ing on here, and trying to get this ship
to Hamburg. I'm not so blind as all
that"
"What do you mean?"
"Meanl Why that is Carrington's
girl, isn't it, you and l pulled out Of
the yacht? Lord. l knew her when
the first streak of daylight came, and
l saw your little game, too. There's
money enough coming to her to make
this a mighty profitable voyage If you
can land her in your net before she
gets ashore again. BY God l might
have done it myself If l hadn't gone
nrn1.r l., ~, AAn4 A0.r oil A. ,-4
there is left me to play is the viii
lain"
l did not move, or take my eyes from
him, and slowly the grin on his face
seemed to smooth out, as his sense of
humor departed.
well" he snarled, isn't that about
the way of it?"
'If the picture satisfies you, Mr..
McCann,' l said, 'you are perfectly
welcome to it. You've said enough to
cause me to withdraw my offer of
parole. I will accept no pledge you
may make"
you intend holding me a prisoner
as long as l am aboard?"
you have left me no other choice"
He got to his feet angrily. "Well now
see here, Hollis, I'm blamed If l have
any use for you, or any of your outfit
l wouldn't give you my word even If
you agreed to accept it. You are going
to discover before you are through with
me that Fergus Mccain is not quite as
big a fool MS you take him to be. I'll
give you odds that you never take this
ship to Hamburg; I'll give you odds
you never get the girl yes, d you !
I'll make the same proposition. that
you'll never hold me prisoner twenty
four hours. Are you sport enough to
take mel"
1 glanced across my shoulder, only to
see reflected in a mirror, Vera Caring
ton. standing In the h~alf-opened door
Of her stateroom, as though suddenly
arrested by the sound of our voices.
No one else was visible in the cabin.
"Dade?"
AYE, aye, sir" his voice coming
from out the forward passage.
Bring Mr.. McCann's breakfast, II
1t is ready"
Yes, sir all ready, sir.
He came forward with 1t on a tray,
and l stepped aside to permit him to
pass through the door, carefully keep
ing my back turned toward the mo-
tionless girl, and my eyes fastened on
Mccain.
Leave the tray there on the stool,
Dade-yes. that's all you may go back
TO your work"
He backed out, but stood h~esitating,
while l closed and locked the door,
dropping the key into my pocket.
isis that all, sir2" he asked ner-
vously.
II told you it was. When I want
those dishes removed, I'll come down,
and unlock the door for you. No one
not even you-are to speak with the
prisoner"
Eyes, sir"
Nov go forward, about your work"
l watched until he vanished in the
passage, not altogether satisfied. The
fellow had been outwardly respectful
enough, but there was something in
definite about his manner which
aroused my doubt. l turned, and con-
fronted the young woman. wondering
vaguely how long she had been there.
and how much of our conversation she
had overheard.