Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-03-19
CHAPTER XII
The Conuuerino Influence

When they reached the Dart Miller
lighted the saloon lamp himself. Sitting
on locker, he directed Tony to coma
TO him and place his hands, palms Mp,
on the polished mahogany table. There
he leaned forward to examine the
wrists more carefully. Immediately he
started back with an exclamation. The
abrasions were disappearing. Even in
this brilliant light he had had to look
closely to detect that which fifteen
r,inutes back had struck him like
blow in the uncertain glimmer of a
lantern.
He questioned Tony. He went over
he entire experience once more, bui
Tony could tell him nothing further.
1t was all vague in his mind. The Thing
that was dearest, that persisted,
whose memory still terrified, was the
fact that he had stood in the darkness,
off the path, unable to move, held APP
parcnlly by an immaterial but plenaiy
force, while the snake had approached,
When Miller had finished Tony bent
his head.
Nov" he asked in that thick voice
which always gave the impression of
thing disused, cant we go from
Captains lsiand?'
Miller thought for moment, know
ing he would stay, yet striving to be
honest with himself He admitted that
he crayed cheerful surroundings and
experiences ranging within his own
comprehension He did not deny that a
feeling of inadequacy to combat the
atmosphere of Captains Island had
crown, had tonight assumed discon.
eerting proportions. But he was aware
OF no bending of his will. He under.
stood more clearly than ever why An
derson and Molly had STAYED on at
the coQuina house in the face of ner-
yous and physical breakdown. Any
other course would have confessed
their weakness, would nave earned his
contempt He found himself looking
forward impatiently to tomorrow
night which he would spend there, per
haps in the room where Meyer had
committed the murder on which so
much of the islands superstition was
based In other words he wanted to
bring matters to focus in order to
persuade Molly, Anderson, Tony and
himself that they were the victims Of
nerves, or OF some subtle materia, farr
TO which at present no clue appeared.
For he would not harbour the pOssibil-
ity of the supelnatural's CONVINCING
him at the end
Underneath this healthy, conlbatlve
instinct, moreover, lay stronger
force which held him to the place. one
whose birth and growth and express.
sion troubled him scarcely less than
the graver problem When Welding in.
credibly to his impulse, he had held
the girl, according 10 his will and
against hers, in his arms; when, her
resistance swept aside, he had placed
mis- lips on her elfin ones, he had &C.
cepted from Captains Island a person.
al problem on whose solution, he real
lied. his happiness depended pcecar
jously. Molly and the others elimi
mated he could not leave the inlet now.
So he faced Tony with a certain pity,
because he understood the mans de.
votion.
"No, Tony, we can not go from Cap.
tain's Island yet shall stay until all
the cards are on the table"
Under his breath Tony muttered one
word.
"Death.,'
whats that" Miller demanded
sharply
Cant fight what you can't see.
Captains Islands full of It. It's always
meant death The other night"
"your stories" Miller said. IAN
right, Tony. After your experience this
evening on top OF Jake's death can't
keep you. can't expect to convince
YOU by laughing at your stories again
IN the morning you can go to Sandpori
and, understand don't blame YOU
We part amicably."
Tony opened his arms in a gesture