Evening star., 1924-11-25
CAPTAIN BLOOD
Z By RAFAEL SABATINI
The Greatest Love Story Ever Told

compelled Col Bishop to accompany
you judge now whether he or the
harbormaster viii obey the summons.
or whether you will be allowed to
depart as you imagine"
Blood's face became grave. I'm
sorry for that" said he.
81 thought you would be-" answered
his Iordship.
. "Oh, but not on my account. It's
he deputy governor there I'm sorry
'or. Dye know what yo've done?
sure, now, we've very likely hanged
him"
My God" cried Bishop in a sud
len increase of panic.
IF they SO much as put a shot
cross my bows, up goes their dep
Ity governor to the yardarm. Your
rnly hope. colonel. lies in the fact
hat | shall send them word of that
attention. And SO that you may mend
< far as you can the harm YOU have
one, its yourself shall bear them
he message, my lord.'
"IIl see YOU damned before l do"
tuned his lordship.
Why. that's unreasonable and un-
'easouing. But if yc insist, why, an
other message will do as well, and
mother hostage uhoard-as l had
originally intended--wiil make Ey
hand the stronger"
Lord Julian stared at him, realizing
exactly what he had refused
you'll thiUl, better of it now that
We understand" Quoth Blood.
AYE, in Gods name, go, my lord"
spluttcred Bishop, and make your
elf obeycd. This damned pirate has
me by the throat"
His lordship surveyed him with an
eye that waa not by any means ad-
mring. why, if that is your
wish e" he began Then he
shrugEed, and turuod again to Blood.
Il suppose J can trust YOU that II?
harm VIII come 20 COL. Bishop if you
are allowed To- saiI?'
You have my word for it." said
Blood. And also that I shall put
him safely ashore again without de-
lay"
Lord Julian bowed stlmy to the
covering deputy governor. You
understand, sir. that I do as you de-
sire" he said coldly.
AYE, man, ayc!" Bishop assented
hastily.
again and took his departure. Blood
escorted him to the entrance ladder.
at the foot of which stiu swung the
ArabelIa's own cocGl-boat.
IT'S goodbye. nay lord" said Blood.
And there's another thing" He
pronered parchment that he had
drawn from his pocket "It's the
commission. Bishop WAS right when
he said il was a mistake"
Lord Julian considered him, ana
considering him his expression sofr
ened.
4 am sorry" he said sincerely.
In other circumstances - be-
gan Blood. oh hut there, Yc'u un-
derstand. The boats waiting"
Yet with his foot on tn" first rung
of the ladder, Lord Julian hesitated.
Il still do not p-r"rive-blister me
if I do'-why you should not have
found some on" else To carry your
message to the commander and
kept me aboard as an added hostage
for his obedience to Your wishes
Bl0Cds vivid eyes looked into the
others that were clear and honest,
and he smiled little wistfully. \
moment he seemed 10 hesitate. Then
he explained himself quite fully.
why shouldn't | tell you? It's the
same reason that's been urging me to
pick a quarrel with you SO that !
might have the satisfaction of slip
ping couple Of feet Of steel into
your Vitals. When l accepted your
/ commission, I was moved to think il
! might redeem me in the eyes Of Miss
1 BiShop--fnr whose sake, as Won may
/ have guessed, l took it. Eut | have
discovered that such = thing is be-
/ yond accomplishment I should have
! known it for sick man's~ dream. |
have discovered also that ii shes
chosing you. as l believe she is. shes
choosing wisely between US, and
that's why III not have your life
riskcd by keeping you aboard whilst
the message goes by another who
might bungle it. And now perhaps
ven understand"
Lord Julian stared at him bewildered
His long, aristocratic face was very
pale.
My Cod he said. And you tell
me this?'
II tell you because Oh. plague