The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1919-08-01

second-writing materials. And, by
the way. there are two staterooms
astern. Who occupies the one to star.
bOard-Senor Estadar
"No. senior; it is the young lady"
"Oh, the one brought aboard last
night. Have you seen herr"
"Si, senior; she is English and good
| to look at, but she sit and stare out
the stern port. She will not speak or
eat. 1 take in her breakfast. but she
| touch not q morsel. So / tell Senior
Estada, and he say, then bring her
out to dinner with me; I'll make the
| 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
lie 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. 1 dashed of
note hurriedly-a brief line merely
stating my presence on board End Deg.
ging her not to exhibit surprise at
meeting me. 1 had no time in which
to explain or make clear the situa-
ton. With this folded and concealed
in my hand silently pushed open the
door.
1 crept swiftly forward, following
the circle of the staterooms, until IL
came to the closed door of the one
sought aft. / 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 1t |
through the narrow opening above the |
sill, and the moment 1t disappeared |
within stole swiftly back to my own |
room. The action had not been seen,
and yet 1 had scarcely n moment to
spare. Before l could lather my face
the steward returned, bearing in his
hands tobacco and pipe.
Estada. however, remained away
longer than 1 had anticipated he
|
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, land you are to take
charge of the deck, relieving LeVere.
l waited 10 explain the situation to
the men before you appeared. l sup
pose you are ready?"
''Ay, ay, senior" knocking the ashes
out of my pipe and rising. He eyed
my clothes disapprOvingly.
Rather fancy rig, Gates, for
first officer on duty"
"SOme style. ] admit, senior, hut they
were all the steward offered me-"
you'll have to carry a hard fist,
ny man. to back up that costume
aboard the Namur," he said coldly.
Those black devils are apt to mis-
axe you for a plaything." l followed
lin up the stairs to the deck. LeVere
vas still on duty, and came forward
md shook hands at my appearance.
Rather glad 1 didn't drown you"
lie said, intending to be pleasant. But
lOpe you'll not run amuck in the after
abin."
81 shall try not to unless I have
ause," / answered, looking him
quare in the eyes and determining
o make my position clear at once.
Senior Estada tells me I am to re-
EVE you. What is the course?'
'Sou'west by half SOU"
''Do you know your position?"
only in a general way. We have
cid an east by south course since
saving the capes, until an hour ago,
iaking about ten knots"
VERY well / will figure it out as
est / can. There is nothing further
, report?"
mo. senior; all has been as it is
owl
He glanced toward Estada, not
realty pleased. / presume, with my
yet finding nothing in
ther words o. manner from which
, evoke a quarrel. The latter had
verheard our conversation, but he
-ood now with back toward us look.
lg out on the sea off the port quar- :
,r. His silent Indifference caused n
eVere to shrug his shoulders and
isappear down the ladder on his way o
Glow. / turned my face to the man
the wheel-it was the giant negro, y
ochose. b