The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1919-04-30

] WAS HOl NllllohN Ptii- NtNBN
close to the side walls, lifted the latch
nolselessly, and slipped quickly within.
| There was no light, except a glimmer
of stars through a large after port
but against this faint radiance she
stood vaguely revealed. Her first
thought must have been Estada, for
there was Il startled note In her chal-
lenge.
who are your Why do you come
here?"
Speak low" I cautioned. "You
must know my voice"
"Geoffry Carlylel"
ayes. but do not use that name-all
hope depends on my remaining I'M
known. You welcome mef"
She came straight forward through
the dim star shine, spectral figure
with both hands outstretched.
welcome - her tone that of Intense
sincerity. your presence gives me
all the strength | have. But for you
should throw myself through that
port into the sea. But | know not
how you came here-tell me, you are
not one of these wretches?"
mo; you must believe that first of
all, and trust me"
81 do-but-but tell me all you can"
els there dlvan here, or anywhere
we can sit down together? can see
nothing in this darkness"
ayes; hold my hand while | guide
you: we can sit here"
1t was a couch of some kind against
the outer wall. She did not release
her grasp. seemingly gaining courage
from this physical contact. and my fin
GERS closed warmly over her own"
Now, please" breathlessly, how Is
sel-an oficeri"
l told her the strange story, as
swiftly and simply as possible. speak
ing scarcely above whisper, feeling
as | progressed that | related dream
rather than series of facts. II
seemed TO me she could scarcely be ex-
pected to believe the truth of what
said, and yet she did, almost unques-
iiOnlngly. the clasp Of her fingers per.
ceptibly tightening as / proceeded.
She sat so close beside me that ]
could feel her breath upon my cheek.
why, Tiff you had not told me
this yourself | could hardly believe
such a tale" she exclaimed. "Yet II
must be true, miraculous as II seems.
But what is To be the ending? Have
you any plan of escapef'
Hardly plan. have had no OPP
portunity even to learn the true ma
ture OF the crew. Watkins is an hon
est sailor, and he has told me OF 9TH
ers on whom I could rely. There are
those aboard-but l do not know how
many-who would mutiny IL they had
leader and reasonable chance Of
success. | must reach these and learn
who they are. Fortunately the voyage
promises to be long enough to enable
me to plan carefully"
You have discussed the voyage
with this man-Estada
''IIe told me what he had decided
upon; not to return TO their rendez-
vous until after they had captured
some prizes and could go with gold
chlnking in their pockets"
where is their rendezvous?"
AN island in the West Indies. prob
ably not on the chart. They call 1t
Porto Grande"
And they VIII sweep the ocean be-
tween here and there seeking victims7
Unarmed merchantmen to rob and
sink? And you-you will be compelled
to take part in such scenes, such acts
Of pillage and perhaps murderf"
81 presume must seem to be one
Of them to avoid suspicion. Have you
any suggestions7"
There Is conspiracy on board al
ready" she said quickly, "that you may
not know about"
You mean TO depose Sanchez"
Yes; you had suspicioned IT? They
thought me unconscious in the boat.
and talked among themselves-the
two at the stern. Estuda and that
beast Manuel. did not understand
all they said, but | do not think they
intend the captain shall recover"
You think it best that he shOuld?'
"Oh, l do not know; there is no
best that can see. Yet | would have
more faith in being spared disgrace
If at the mercy of Sanchez. than his
lieutenant. Both may be equally guilty
equally desperate. but they are not the
same men. | may be wrong. for
judge as a woman. yet would feel
guf., xrffb m. ..tb,. L.,