The state herald., 1919-08-29

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bacco and a pipe. and-yes, wait
second-writlng materials. And. by
the way, there are two staterooms
astern. Who occupies the one to star
board-Senor Estada7"
mo. senor; 1t is the young lady"
"Oh, the one brought aboard last
night. Have you seen her"
"Si, senor; she is English and good
to look at, but she sit and stare out
the stern port. She will not speak or
eat. l take In her breakfast, but she
touch not n morsel. So tell Senor
Estada, and he say, then bring hep
out to dinner with me; I'll make the
hussy eat II have to choke 1t down
her dainty throat"
Good; I'll have a look at her my.
self then. Now hurry up those things
steward, and remember what / sent
you after"
He brought the shaving set and
writing materials first, explaining that
he would have to go down into the
lazaret and break open some pack
ages for the tobacco and pipe. The
moment the fellow disappeared
grasped the opportunity. dashed on
note hurriedly-a brief line merely
stating my presence on board md beg
ging her not to exhibit surprise at
meeting me. 1 had no time In which
to explain or make clear the situa-
tion. With this folded and concealed
In my hand silently pushed open the
door.
1 crept swiftly forward. following
the circle Of the staterooms, until ]
came to the closed door Of the one ]
sought aft. I bent here an instant,
listening for some sound from within,
but heard none. Beyond doubt the
girl was within and alone, and must
trust her quick intelligence to respond
to my written message. : thrust Il
through the narrow opening above the
sill. and the moment II disappeared
within stole swiftly back to my own
room. The action had not been seen,
and yet had scarcely moment to
spare. Before could lather my face
the steward returned. bearing In his
hands tobacco and pipe.
Estada. however. remained away
longer than l had anticipated he
would. and I was fully dressed and
comfortably smoking before he came
down from the deck and crossed the
cabin to my partially open door.
The starboard watch has been
called" he said. "and you are to take
charge Of the deck. relieving Levere.
! waited to explain the situation to
tho men before you appeared. sup
pose you are readyr
"Ay, ay. senor." knocking the ashes
cut Of my pipe and rising. He eyed
my clothes disapprovingly.
"Rather a fancy rig. Ontes, for q
first officer on duty"
Some style, admit, senior. but they
were all the steward offered me-"
You'll have to carry 4 hard fist,
my man. to back up that costume
aboard the Namur." he said coldly.
Those black devils are apt to mis-
take you for playthlng." l followed
him up the stairs TO the deck. Leyere
was still on duty. and came forward
and shook hands at my appearance.
Rather glad didn't drown you,"
he said. intending TO be pleasant. "But
hope you'll not run amuck In the after
cabin"
Il shall try not TO unless l have
cause" l answered. looking him
square In the eyes and determining
to make my position clear ut once.
"Senor Estnda tells me l am to re-
lieve you. What is the courseY"
"Sou'west by half SOU"
DO you know your positionr'
only In general way. We hnve
held nm east by south course since
leaving the capes. until an hour ago.
making about ten knots"
"very well: will figure Il out no
best can. There Is nothing further
to reportf"
"No. senor; all has been M II 10
now"
He glanced toward Estada, not
greatly pleased. l presume. with my
brusqueness. yet finding nothing In
either words or manner from which
to evoke u quarrel. The latter had
overheard our conversation. but he
stood now with back toward us look
Ing out on the sea OF the port quar-
ter. His silent Indifference caused
LeVerc to shrug his shoulders and
disappear down the ladder 90 his why
below. ] turned my face to the man
At the whecl-lt wns the giant negro.
Cochose.