The Huttig news., 1918-01-05
oi' Miss Carringtons stateroom. In- stantly he was on his feet to interfere. You are not to do that, sir"
 "Not fo do what 2r

stantly he was on his feet to interfere.
 'You are not to do that, sir"
 Not to do what?"
 "Speak alone with the lady; those were my orders"
 1 raised my voice in remonstrance, but had scarcely uttered q word when McCann emerged from his stateroom, leaving the door ajar, and crossed the deck to face me.
 "What is the trouble here, Simmsw lie asked, the harshness of his tone diff fering greatly from the pleasant con- versation at dinner.
 MT. Hollis was going to rap on the lady's door, sir
 oh he was. hey! Well, now see here. Hollis, you understood that you were to have no communication with any prisoners aboard, didn't you?"
 T WIS not aware that Miss Car rington was considered a prisoner"
 "Well, whether she is or not, she is 10 longer to be bothered with your at tentions," with no attempt to control his temper. "I consider that you have broken your word. You will go back to Your stateraom. and stay there."
 "SHpposing I refuse?'
 He grinned, exposing his teeth like great cat.
 'T wouldn't advise you to try that" | he Snpered flor there Is crew enough an deck to man-handle you to a finish. You can go in quietly, or I'll call them down. and have you thrown in. So take yoar choice"
 l looked al the two of them, eager enough myself to make it fight Yet what was the use? Any excuse en- abling him to confine me more closely would evidently be to his advantage : l conquered myself, and hands clinehed. crossed the deck space, and entered my stateroom. closing the door. l heard McCann laugh. and say some thing to Simms: then knew he crossed the cabin, and went up the stairs. To better control myself I thrust my face out through the open port, breathing in the salty freshness of the air.
 Suddenly l became aware that others had entered the main cabin. There was no sound of voices; nothing to tell me the purpose of this invasion. yet felt certain that. at least, dozen men had descended the steps from the compan- ion. I stood erect listening; there was fumbling at my door. Had McCann changed his mind? Were they about to attack me in force? Revolver In hand I took a step forward. half-ready to | ura1cOJno 0nu ODaD hostility
 "The first sea rat to open that door," I called. twill get what's coming to him."
 There was a mocking laugh in an- Swer. in which more than one voice joined; then White growled reply:
 No one is a. comin' In, mister; an damn me, If you're goin' ter get out"
 I grasped the knob, throwing my whole weight against the wood. It yielded scarcely half an inch, just enough to reveal a stout bar. This time l was a prisoner beyond doubt 1; they had left me no loophole of escape But why? What had I done to warrant them in breaking their pledge? Could l il be that McCann had no further use ! l -ion? If this was true then 1t must be the men proposed deSerting the shiI hat very night, and taking a chance tetting ashore in one of those northern bays And they had nailed me in to die like mt in this hole, when tht Indian Chief went down.
 For the instant, as this fear grlppef me I was dazed and incapable thought; helpless to even clearly cor prehend the full horror. l do not b lieve it was my own situation whic so completely unnamed me, but til remembrance of Vera. What wou. become of her? She would be alone ij McCann'S power without human bt 1 ing to whom she could appeal. Sh would be forced into the boat despit her struggles, laughed at, and mocke She might even be compelled to vii ness the slow sinking of the ship carry l ing Us down into the depths. And theI what? The vision l eonjured up wa agony, and I sank back upon the stool ny face buried in my hands.