The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-22
Look at that
PAGE 6

IS dangerous Tn rough weather. He has often sailed there himself. Let us go and consult the sailors, shall we?"
 They moved off slowly, ana the spy who had lain in the shadow overhearing every word, rose brushed the bits of moss from his shiny dress coat, and hastened back to continue his duties of washing up and pack ing the plates and spoons.
 It was later indeed before the young peo- pie, or to speak more trutly before Prince Theobald-could be persuaded to leave the isle.
 When at last the Lotus was filled with her complement of passengers, and ready to start, Humphrey Varley, somewhat per emptorily, said that he himself would steer.
 Prince Ra in his charge, and he meant to take no risks. He would have liked to wait until he had seen the smaller launch set out, but the delay in starting her seemed endless, and the Glanzingfors family was inl- patient. Varley had in fact no authority to keep the princess under his eye; and it seemed to him certain that every possible care would be taken of boat which con- tained both her and Prince Theobald.
 Since all the servants and all the ma terial of the banquet had to be taken back, the launches were both more crowded than on the outward voyage. Examining at the last moment, by the light of the lantern on board, the faces of the staff, seated in the bows, Varley noticed that Stepan Woronz was not among them.
 Before they had steamed a hundred yards, curve in the shore of the isle hid the lan0inp ctapa from, ciUhf co that ha oou1d not see how closely the Abbess was follow ing. He noticed nothing ominous in the weather so long as they were in the compar- atively shallow and sheltered reach between the isle and the eastern shore; but as they emerged into open water at the southern spit of the isle, he instantly marked two things. One was flawr of wind upon the glassy surface of the fake, a flaw which spread with lightning rapidity, causing the launch to toss like cork. The other was the towering top of the thunder cloud, rushing down upon them from the north east, and covering the stars rapidly as though someone drew a blind across sky light.
 He made up his mind in moment. About ship'' he said quickly to the sail ors, I've will put back to the landing place. There is going to be hurricane, and the ladies will be more comfortable in shelter. We can pass the word to the Abbess when WIG sight her..
 They turned with all speed and started to rur north once more, to the annoyance of the ambassador, who wanted to know what was happening When he understood that the force of the tempest might be such as to wash over the launch and drench those on board, he was ready enouga to go back
 Varley assured him that the lake squalls were sharp but short.
 "In a couple of hours the moon may be shining again. But we are only just in timc'
 In fact, the hurricane was already blow ing in fierce earnest, almost in their teeth, and it took them 20 minutes to retrace the distance they had covered in five. They reached their moorings, however, just as the rain began to fall. The sudden dark ness made steering difficult, and Humphrey, when he saw how dazed Stemkieff was, congra tulated himself on having taken the rubber He landed his party in safety, and sent them scurrying to the shelter of the ruins. But his heart was in his throat Upon the return journey nothing had been seen of the small launch. Yet it was gone from the landing place.
 The darkness which had closed in so quickly had already plotted out the moon. and was now profound, except when the lightning flashed, revealing waste of roar ing waters, foam-crested, etched out in H.