Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-01-03

directed, taking his stand to one side,
automatic in hand. when they break
in, they may shoot through the door.
Be ready to kin when they get in
What about the port over the berth
cant they get in through that?"
Too small. Wen keep an eye on it,
though They might try to pot US that
way"
The Bald Eagle was buuilt on peculiar
lines. There was but one entrance to the
abin, that of the companionway. The
cabin was used as a dining room also,
the galley being at the forward end The
food was handed through an opening, or
port, cut into the wall separating cabin
and galley, by the cook to the cabin boy.
This opening was also too narrow to al
nit the passage of a human body. In
the cabin were four staterooms. Two on
them had been occupied by the captain
and first mate; Hunter and the girl oc-
cupying the other two. The second mate,
Jansen, had given up his room TO
Hunter.
The schooner was now rolling heavily,
evidently having gotten into the trough
OF the sea Hunter remarked that she
must be without a steersman. and as If
in answer to this, they heard Jansen
below an order for some one to man the
wheel
The sound Of blows ceased, and the
two men In the cabin heard footsteps
drawing away and the muttering Of
voices.
Holding a conference" Hunter smiled
at the girl.
They seated themselves on the side on
the berth, weapons ready. Hunter cast
side-long, uneasy glances at the girl near
him She was pale, but steady. He ad-
9rad hor coura % hunt was frafI
so delicately built, not much more than
little girl, that she filed him with aPpre-
hensiou, dread Of what might be In store,
and fear that she might not be able TO
hold up under the stress.
Surrounded by human devils. penned
in this little room with every element OF
hazard against them-well, he could do
but one thing, hght till he was down,
and the rest would have to come as 1t
would. The girl was armed, said she
could shoot, but
He looked at her again as she sat hold
ing the black automatic in her small.
white hand. He scarcely knew this girl,
for he had studiously avoided her. He
was morose, running from an ugly dis
appointment, and had kept to himself
She, seeing his desire 70 be let alone, Of
course, had not intruded. When mutiny
broke out that morning the captain and
first mate being killed and thrown over
the side. the girl and the man nat
urally dew together; he to protect her
and she seeking his protection and com
partnership
She caught his eyes resting intently
upon her what is 1t? Why do you
look at me that way"
He laughed nervously. Nothing"
u know letter" she retorted sharply.
II can almost read your thoughts. You're
thinking / am so Utterly helpiess-a
handicap. maybe"
Not by a d-n sishtT" he snapped.
"Oh. L"
Never mind-I've heard that sort Of
thing before What is Il. then? II you
are unduly worrying about me, stop 1t.
I'm sorry to be a burden, but l prom
Use TO do my part when the time comes
The pow WOW on deck was still pro
ceeding, but they could hear nothing OF
what was being said.
Presently the girls feelings smoothed
out aud she asked what IS the mean
ing Of all this. anyway? Everything
seemed to be peaceful and orderly IN
I'll this morning. What was the cause
OF IT,"
Loot" was the terse answer. you
see. Captain White had considerable
money in gold al Gard, and In some way
It leaked out, and-well, there you are.
Motive enough for such as we are deal
Ing with. That's the whole simple solu-
ton"
And Jansen, what part does he take
ia it,
II think ae's at the bottom Of the
whole thing. He's a filthy brutal
scamp"
But why is it that he seems so anx-
ious to protect u.s."
He hesltsted before answering. We'll
you see. yesterday morning 1 was with
the captain talking privately. l noticed
that Jansen eyed us suspiciously, when
ever he got the chance. And then ! went
down into the captains room with him
Jansen has been keeping his eye on me
ever since. He thinks the captain told
me whore the gold is hidden"
'They didn't get It. them
''-They did not; feel sure OF that"
"pld the captain tell you?" she asked
anxiously.
He did. He seemed to get an mixing
Of what was coming, and so took me
into his confidence. So Jansen's hope is
In making me tell whore the stun Isl
couldn't do that very well dead
"And YOU won't do it alive" she sug
gested.
He thanked her with his eyes, relieved
by the spirit shown in her words. "Not
much" he confirmed and then added
dryly: "It wouldn't make much difference
anyway, for after they got what they
wont. we'd be in the same pickle"
what is their intention toward me?"
hesitatingly.
He looked at her and she saw the pain
and reluctance to speak in his dark eyes.
Tell me-" she urged Keep nothing
back. l think frankness is best. 1t can
do no good to keep me in ignorance of
anything"
Very we'll. From what could gather,
Jansen wanted to set us both ashore on
that island we are heading for. and leave
us there He figured they could make
their getaway before we were picked up,
suppose. The men objected"
He paused and she took ii up. II see
They were willing to let you go, but not
me You needn't finish. But why is tt
that Jansen wishes to let me go?"
II suppose he thinks you would ham
per their chances of getting away, and
there would be quarreling and dissen-
sion"
A noise near the portfolio above them
attracted their attention, and the gruH
voice Of Jansen broke in on their con
versation.
Chapter II.
Below there-NIr. HunterP Jansen