Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-05-05
CHAPTER XVI.
In Dorothy's 8tatsroem.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
oopysisAs ~ A. O. hsClare d o..

the ugnteO CaOlus my own ueSiSion
made. I must see and talk with Dor
othy. Gunsaules turned down the light
and departed along the passage lead
ing amidships. A moment later
heard the sound of dishes grinding to-
gether preparatory to being washed.
No better opportunity for action was
likely to occur. although the situation
was not without peril. I crept along
close to the side walls, lifted the latch
noiselessly. and slipped quickly within.
There was no light, except glimmer
Of stars through . large after port,
but against this faint radiance she
stood vaguely revealed. her first
thought must have been Estada, for
there was a startled note In her chal.
lenge
"who are your Why do you come
here2"
"Speak low" I cautioned. "You
must know my voice.
"Geoffry Carlyle"
eyes, but do not use that name-all
hope depends on my remaining IN
known. You welcome me|
She came straight forward through
the dim star shine, a spectral figure,
with both hands outstretched.
.sWelcome 7" 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 I know not
how you came here-tell me, you are
not one of these wretchesT
mo; you must believe that first Of
all. and trust me-"
II doubtful tell me all you can"
us there a divan here. or anywhere
we can sit down together? ! can see
nothing In this darkness"
eyes; hold my hand while / guide
you; we can sit here"
It was q couch Of some kind against
the outer wall. She did not release
her. grasp, seemingly gaining courage
from this physical contact, and my I'm
gers closed warmly over her own"
NOW, please" breathlessly, "how IS
1t possible you are aboard this YES
sel-an oficerT'
I told her the strange story, as
swiftly and simply as possible, speak
ing scarcely above whisper, feeling
as progressed that related dream
rather than a series Of facts. 1t
seemed to me she could scarcely be ex-
pected to believe the truth of what /
said. and yet she did. almost unQues-
tioningly. the clasp of her fingers per-
ceptibly Tightening as I proceeded.
She sat so close beside me that /
could feel her breath upon my cheek.
"Why. if-if you had not told me
this yourself could hardly believe
such tale" she exclaimed. "Yet 1t
must be true. miraculous as it seems.
But what is to be the endingl Have
you any plan of escapeT
Hardly q plan. have had no op-
portunity even to learn the true na,
ture Of the crew. Watkins is an hon
est sailor, and he has told me Of 9th.
ers on whom could rely. There are
those aboard-but do not know how
many-who would mutiny If 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"
"He told me what he had decided
upon; not to return to their rendez-
vous until after they had captured
some prizes and could 60 with gold
chinking In their pockets"
where Is their rendezvousr
'''An island in the West Indies, prob
ably not on the chart. They call it
Porto Grande."
"And they will sweep the ocean be-
tween here and there seeking victims?
Unarmed merchantmen to rob and
sink? And you--you will be compelled
to take part In such scenes, such acts
of pillage and perhaps murder7"
II presume I must seem to be one
of them to avoid suspicion. Have you
any suggestionsY
There IL conspiracy on board al
ready" she said quickly, "that you may
not know about"
"You mean to depose Sanchez?"
Eyes; you had suspicioned 1t? They
thought me unconscious In the boat,
and talked among themselves--the
two at the stern. Estada and that
bea>t Manuel. I did not understand
all they said. but do not think they
intend the captain shall recover"
"You think it best that he should :"
"0h, dc net know: there IL 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. I may be wrong. for I
judge as q woman, yet ] would feel
safer with Sanchez. The other merely
desires with the passions Of brute.
No appeal would reach him; he would
laugh at tears and find pleasure in
suffering. And vet you would have
me appear friendly with Estada1"
I'VE cannot permit him to feel that
either Of us are enemies. He Is the
\ power aboard; our lives, everything
are in his hands. II he means to be
rid Of Sanchez the man Is doomed, for
he Will md Z way to accomplish his
purpose; murder means nothing to
these men," "a
"os course zeu are rlEht" she 81