, 1924-09-17
CHAPTER XII-Continued

know the way to the place where the
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS the forty mil
iions-are waiting. / know the road
starts near here. I'd picked the place
from what the map said. and the boys
tell me you came out right there. An
think i know the rest Of the way.
But l amt taking any chances. I
want to know just what I've got to go
against. and you've got to tell me. If
you do. and If l find out you've told
me the truth. I'll put you and the cap
tain ashore. See! If you refuse, III
make you wish you hadn't. And u you
lie to me 1n-well, I've got you and
your friends in the hollow Of my hand.
I'LL be easy enough to find that moth
er and sister of yours and-well, we'll
find 'em. all right. So you better
speak up and speak quick"
The girls face was colorless and
her breath came in gasps. Il won't
trust you" she gasped. you wouldn't
keep your word
"Yesl will, swear II y"
Nellie's lips frightened. 81 don't he
lieve you. l won't trust you. If you
have robbed and murdered, you'll lie.
too. I'll tell you nothing"
Price sprang to his feet. The mask
dropped from his face. "You little
catl" he yelled. "Ill-" He paused.
holding himself in restraint by a
mighty effort. "All right" he went
on. II won't crowd you. We don't
start till daylight. and I'll give you
till then to come to -FOUR senses. Sleep
on 1t. guess you'll come around.
I've got ways of persuading people
especially girls-who play ugly. How
ever, sleep or it. Now, I'll just lock
you up in your mothers stateroom for
the night. If you'll come along"
Price got up and waved his hand to-
ward the door.
But the girl stood still. I'm not
going to leave this ROOM" she declared.
I'm going to stay with Captain Bunk
or. / want to talk with him, and I'm
going to do II. If you're afraid to
leave n wounded man and a girl alone
TO conspire, you can stay and watch
u.s."
Price shrugged his shoulders. The
girls defiance seemed to amuse him.
"Oh, no! I'm not afraid" he chuckled.
"But there's no use In taking chances.
Besides. as l told you before. we don't
want another fight with Captain Bunk
or. He's no cripple with his fists.
Witness my eye" Price pointed to
his damaged optic. IF you want to
stay n consult with him you may,
but you'll stay tied in your chair;
see7 Take your choice" The man
picked up Il piece of rope that lay on
the foor and stood. waiting.
Nellie hesitated. She hated being
tied, of course, but she hated still more
being forced away from her only
friend, helpless though the latter
might be. TN stay" she decided.
"All right Sit down"
Nellie sat down hesitatingly enough ;
and Price bound her firmly In her
chair
Now we're all right" he said. And
] can tear myself away without feel
ing that you'll miss me. I'm treating
you both as fair as / n And I'm
going to keep on treating you both as
fair as you'll let me. But I'll just re-
mind you that I've got some mighty
bad characters among my men. I'll
protect you II I can. But II we lost
that forty millions by any chance I'm
afraid 1t would be tolerably rough on
you. Seel"
Price wnlked TO the door. "ITl he
back later" he said. and closed and
locked IL behind him.
Half an hour later he came back
hearing a loaded tray. IL guess you'll
be ready for some supper" he began
| cheerily. rs he crossed the threshold,
81 don't want to starve you. and
D-n!"
with a curse the man broke OF.
The room Was empty. Captain Bunker
md Nellie had disappeared.