Evening star., 1924-11-23
Continued from Yesterdays Star.)

me- And with laugh Blood depart
ed to his cabin.
Jeremy Pitt answered the laugh
with an oath. A moment he stood ir-
resolute where Blood had left him.
Then slowly, reluctance dragging at
his feet. he went down the companion
to give the order for the cockboat.
III anything should happen to you.
Peter" he sad, AS Blood was going
over the side, "Col. Bishop had better
look to himself These so lads may
be lukewarm at present, as you say,
but-sink me! - they'll be anything
but lukewarm IL there's a breach Of
faith"
And what should be happening to
me. Jeremy? Sure, now. I'll be back
for dinner. so ] will"
Blood climbed down into the wait
ing boat. But laugh though he might,
he knew as we'll as Pitt that in go
ing ashore that morning he carried
his life in his hands. Because of this
i may have been that when he step
ped on to the narrow mole, in the
shadow Of the shallow outer wall Of
the fort, through whose crenels We're
thrust the black noses OF its heavy
guns. ne gave order that the boat
should stay for him at that spot. He
realized that he might have to retreat
in hurry.
Walking leisurely, he skirted the
embattled wall and passed through
the great gates into the courtyard.
Half a dozen soldiers lounged there.
and. in the shadow cast by the wall.
Mai. Mallard, the commandant. was
slowly pacing. He stopped short at
sight of Capt. Blood and saluted him,
as was his due, but the smile that
lifted the officers stiff mustachios was
grimly sardonic. Peter Blood's atten-
tion, however. was elsewhere.
On his right stretched a spacious
garden. beyond which rose the white
house that was the residence of the
deputy governor. In that gardens
main avenue, that was fringed with
palm and sandalwood, he had caught
sight of Miss Bishop alone. lie cross
ed the courtyard with suddenly
heightened stride.
Good morning to We. ma am" was
his greeting as he overlook her: and.
hat in hand now. he added on note
of protest: Sure, it's nothing less
than uncharitable to make me run in
this heat"
why do you run, them she asked
him. coolly, standing slim and
straight before him. all in white and
very maidenly. save in her unnatural
composure. IT am pressed" she in
formed him. so you will forgive me
IL do not stay"
You were none so pressed until
he protested. and If his thin lips
smiled his blue eyes were oddly hard.
"Since you perceive 1t. sir. / wonder
that you trouble to be so insistent.'
That crossed the swords between
them. and it was against Blood's in
stncts to avoid an engagement.
Faith. ysu explain yourself after a
fashion," said he. But since ii was
more OF less in your service that l
donned the kings coat you should suf-
fer II TO cover the thief and pirate
She shrugged and turned aside, in
Fearing to betray the latter. she took
refuge in the former. II do my best"
said she.
so that ye can be charitable in some
ways" He laughed softly Glory be.
now. I should be thankful for 50 much.
Maybe I'm presumptuous. But | can't
forget that when l was no better than
a slave in your uncle's household in
Barbados ye used me with a certain
kindness"
why not? In those days you had
some claim upon my kindness. You were
just an unfortunate gentleman then
me now?'
Hardly unfortunate We have heard
of your good fortune on the seas-how
your luck has passed into a byword.
And We have heard other things: OF
your good fortune in other directions
She spoke hastily. the thought of
Mile d'Ogeron in her mind. And in
stantly would have recalled the words
had she been able. But Peter Blood
swept them lightly aside. reading into
them none Of her meaning, as she feared
he would.
"Aye-a deal Of lies, devil a doubt. as
l could prove to you"
Il cannot think why YOU should trou-
BILE TO put yourself on your defense :
she discouraged him.
80 that ye may think less badly Of
me than you do
What I think of yCu can be d very
little matter TO you, sir
This was dsarming stroke. He
abandoned combat for eXpostulation.
Can We say that now? Can ye say
that. beholding me i'll this livery of a
service I despise? Didn't ye tell me
that / might redeem the past? It's little
enough I am concerned to redeem the
past save only in your eyes. In my own
I've done nothing at all that l am
I received
Her glance faltered, and fell away be-
fore his own that was so intent.
Il I can't think why you should
speak to me like this" she said. with
less than her earlier assurance.
"Ah. now, can't We, indeed?' he cried.
Sure, then. I'll be telling ye."
"Oh. please" There was real alarm
in her voice. II realize fully what you
did, and I realize that partly, at least,
you may have been urged by considera-
tion for myself. Believe me. am very
grateful. I shall always be grateful"
But II it's also your intention al
ways to think of me as thief and a
pirate. faith, ye may keep your graft
tude for all the good it's like to do me-"
A livelier color crept into her cheeks
There was a perceptible heave of the
slight breast that family swelled the
fiimsy bodice Of white silk. But if she
resented his tone and his words she
stified her resentment She realized
that perhaps she lad, herself, provoked
his anger. She honestly desired to
make amends.
You are mistaken" she began. ut
isn't that"
But they were fated to misunder-
stand each other. Jealousy, that trou-
oicA VI icsiSoii, Idu UeeH ONeTDuSy "lIn
his wits as 1t had with hers.
What Is it. them Quoth he. and
added the question: Lord Julian?'
She started, and stared at him blank
ly. indignant now.
"Och, be frank with me- he urged
her. unpardonably. Twill be a kind
ness, 80 it will"
For a moment she stood before him
with quickened breathing. the color ebb-
ing and flowing in her cheeks. Then
she looked past him and tilted her chin
forward.
You e. /. you are quite insufferable," 5"
she said "I beg that yO,l let me- naSs I"