The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-03-20


 on the Namur but also the purpose ac. tuattng me. I had reached this con. ciusion when a light, hesItating knock sounded at the door.
 Gunsaules entered, garments over his arm, and laid out the pieces care fully one by one, evidently proud of his selection.
 ''The clothes seem to be all right. steward" I said, land I judge will it. Now hunt me up first of all some thing to shave with, then some to. baccO and pipe, and-yes, wait second-writing materials. And, by the way, there are two staterooms astern. Who occupies the one to star. board-Senor Estada?"
 NO, senor; it is the young lady"
 "Oh, the one brought aboard last night. Have you seen her?7
 'Si, senOr; she Is English and good 10 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 a morseI. So I tell Senor Estada, and he say, then bring her out to dinner with me; I'll make the hussy eat If have to choke it down her dainty throat"
 Good I'll have a look at her my self then. Now hurry up those things, steward. and remember what I sent you after"
 He brought the shaving set and writing materials first, explaining that he would have to go down einto the lazaret and break open some pack ages for the tobacco and pipe. The moment the fellow disappeared grasped the opportunity. I dashed of a note hurriadly-a brief line merely stating my presence on board and beg ging her not to exhibit surprise at meeting me. I had no time in which to explain CT make clear the situa- ton. With this folded and concealed in my hand I silently pushed open the door.
 : crept swiftly forward, following the circle of the staterooms, until came to the closed door of the one I 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 I must trust her quick Intelligence to respond to my written message. l thrust it through the narrow opening above the sill, and the moment it disappeared within stole swiftly back to my own room. The action had not been seen, and yet I had scarcely q moment to spare. Before l could father my face the steward returned, bearing in bis hands tobacco and pipe. ]
 Estoda, however, remained away longer than I 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 beenl called" he said. land you are to take charge of the deck. relieving LeYere. I waited to explain the situation to th2 men before you appeared. I sup pose you are ready?"
 'Ay, ny, senor," knocking the ashes out of my pipe and rising. He eyed my clothes disapprovingIy.
 Rather a fancy rig, Gates, for a first officer on duty"
 Some style I admit, senor, but theyl were all the steward offered me-"
 You'll have to carry q hard fst,l my man, to back up that costumeI aboard the Namur," he said coldly Those black devils are apt to mis- take you for a plaything." l followed him up the stairs to the deck. LeVere was still on duty, and came forward and shook hands at my appearance.
 Rather glad I didn't drown you" :" he said, intending to be pleasant. 'But hope you'll not run aEnuck in the after cabin.''
 T shall try not to unless I have cause" I answered, looking him square in the eyes and determining to make my position clear at once. "Senor Estada tells me I am to re- lieve you. What is the course2"
 "Sou'west by half sou'."
 DO you know your positionT
 "Only in a general way. We have held an east by south course since leaving the capes, until an hour ago making about ten knots." s-z@9zaez.=.zz-z.sz1z.-.-=-z.