The Huttig news., 1918-01-12
CHAPTER XIV.
The Hand of Fate.


 IL seemed all age l stood there, bend ing 10 the narrow crack, hearing Ho further sound. and unable to guess what had occurred in the semidarkness of the apparently deserted cabin. l could distinguish no movement, not even the sound of breathing. Then q soft whisper spoke almost in my ear. causing me to start back as though stabbed by gun.
 Robert !'
 There was agony in the utterance sufficient to disguise the low voice, yet l could not doubt the identity of the speaker.
 Yes; I am here; what has hap pened?"
 "Oh, don't ask that. l hardly know myself. It was all impulse, despera- tion. Listen; they are going to desert the ship within an hour. MeCann told me. I-I let him believe I would go with him to saye ny own life. Fl didn't know what to do. All that was left me was to pray and watch"
 .'Yes, dear heart-but what hap pened? you must speak quickly. They all left the cabin, and went on dack'
 'Yes; to provision the boats; theF are lowering the two forward ones now. I was told to get my own things eady."
 "No guard was left here below?'
 "Only Dade; they knew you could uot possibly get out. and they had 10 fear of me because I was so fright ened."
 And what became of Dade?"
 She caught her breath, the answer q sob almost inaudibe.
 T struck him; dear. there was nc other way. Maybe I killed him, but but I never meant to do that. l used The only weapon l had-an iron leg from my washstand"
 Don't worry; t was either his life, or ours. There is no one else then below?'
 "Not-not now
 "IS there any way of looseHns this bar? I cannot even determine how it is fastened; there were no cleats.
 could see her outline as she stood there feeling with her hands: then realized that q length of iron was in serted between the wooden bar and the iamb of the door; there was q crunch ing sound, not loud enough 10 he alarm ing, and the bar fell. but was caught before it struck the deck. Instantly I was in the cabin. and had graSped her hands still clinging to the leg of the waShstand.
 "You brave, dear girl ~
 "Oh, don't, not now t' she pleaded, drawing back. "What shah we do?'
 "What do you know?" I asked. "Tell me as quick as you ean."
 "They are lowering the boats. He will be back for me in a minute"
 "Yes, I know; hut they mean to open the sea-cocks tirst?"
 q was not told; no one has come down this way
 Whoever is given that job would use the mainhatch, or the ladder to the engine room. You do not know if all the crew are on deck?"
 "The man White yelled down the lad der to somebody, whom he called Tony. to use only the one screw-do you know man by that nameY'
 Aye, Tony Rappello, the head fire man; he could keep the machinery go- ing. Now one thing more-where have they confined Leayord and Olson?' q haven't dared ask" she admitted. Il did not suppose they would leave the ship tonight, and thought I might find some way to discover this for my self"
 You have no hintf"
 "Only that the boy Moon carried food forward from the table while I was at the piano"
 Forward? on deck?"
 No; down the passage amidship.'
 Good that is what 1 supposed, and 1t gives us a far better opportunity to reach the men than if they were being held in the forecastle. They are in the petty officers quarters, no doubt. Now, listen, dear McCann may come for you at any moment. You must go back to your stateroom. so that he will not