Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1924-08-07
CHAPTER Ix-continued

George. Captain Bunker mao MS OW
opinion about so-called noblemen; hi
distrusted them and their credentiai
on principle, and set little store b.
the fact that Lord George had beer
introduced by another nobleman. SOnl,
the fact that Lord George had beer
Individually popping away with his rifle
from the quarterback all afternoon
prevented Captain Bunker from tax.
ing him to task directly. He did
question him shrewdly as to the bot.
ties at which he had been firing. But
be got no results; though apparently
open and frank to the limit. Lord
George gave no information OF the
slightest value; and Captain Bunker
was unable to decide whether this was
because he was exceptionally shrewd
or entirely ignorant
Last. the captain sought out Miss
DensIow. and inquired into her where
abouts during the afternoon, and found
that she was fully accounted FOR.
There remained only Mira Arch
mans maid. in the family employ for
twenty years, who had been with her
mistress nearly all afternoon. and who
seemed entirely incapable OF carrying
through such a desperate enterprise as
safe robbery.
Mrs. Archman. Harry and Bess
seemed above suspicion; and any lin
garing doubts that Captain Bunker
may have entertained as TO the COM
plicity Of any one OF them. or Of the
maid. were dIssipated as he reflected
that they really could not possess the
technical skill necessary to open q safe
by lingering the tumbIers Of the lock.
Only q person OF unusual skill and OF |
long training could possibly have done
this.
Captain Bunker WAS forced TO con-
cludo that some member Of the crew
had taken desperate chances and ven
tured aft where he had no business,
and had succeeded in reaching the
cabin and getting into tine safe. In
vestigation, however, cast no slightest
shadow on any one Of the men,
Bess knew how busy Captain Bunker
had been and she tried to hold herself
In leash away from him. so as not to
add 20 his annoyance. All the early
part Of the evening she lay In her
chair. listening to the chat OF the
others. especially to that Of Lord
George
When the steamship started again
Bess rose from her chair. ''l'm going
20 the bridge" she announced.
Harry looked up. Captain Bunker
won't want you" he began. Then.
noting that his sister had waited for
no comment. he turned to Lord George
with q laugh. 1--WE men will have to
get up an association In America to
regain our rights" be said a
Lord George did not answer for a
moment. Then he started "Ohl Ali
YesI Quite 80, old chap" he answered.
heartily but vaguely. u
Harry stared at him, but the Eng Q
llshman said no more. and after mo- q
ment Harry got up and wandered away q
forward.
Meanwhile Bsss had ascended to the
bridge and had gone to Captain Bunk =
er's side. II couldn't stay away any q
longer. captain" she murmured. Il
was too anxious. Have we lodged q
shemr 4
Captain Bunker turned dim face I
to the girl. II think So" he said. AT q
All events we're going In" 6
Going lnfn n
''Yes We've just passed I.obos 9
Island. Yonder Il lies" He pointed n
to the east. but Bess could zee no II
trace Of the blRekeF shadow OF the n
land. 'Our destination Is Just ten =
miles due south. It's the island shown =
In that map your mother brought me-" Il
~ohl'r In the stress OF the greater p
emotion that had arisen out Of ths z
violation Of the instructions. Bess had a
forgotten the map. els II the right q
mapf" she asked II have forgotten q
10 asa. y v
yes It's the right map. Captain
Bunker looked about him long and p
steadily. Then be turned to his irsf q
ofsiceF. keep her as she Ia, Mr. Col.
lima he Instructed, "Pm going to tha b
chart house" he glanced at Bess tr
win you come Miss ArchmanYv he al
lnvited. Il want q. talk with you" IA
Hass went very willingly. Captain W
Bunker led the way to the chart house, at
hnd heid open the door for her. That OF
gnasns woman stared Into the black
ness, then stepped Ia. and waited while ns
EsaWhakn Bunker closed the door. shut th
ssn8 emt gae faint light that leaked h
fr0as are clewded star4 she heard
IRe eapfaln sAaxlmw about ia the DARK W
s@aa appas#aks98 hlankefing the win b
znwM khem 49, heard faint click. "a