, 1924-10-01
CHAPTER XIV-Continued

-17-
Nellie looked. Beyond the door
opening there was no standing space
only a black hole that went straight
down. Beyond was the iron hull of
the ship. and to right and left the
iron framework of the ribs. The door
itself was cut with exquisite neatness
in the wooden s%heathing that framed
the cabin walls. The space was not
more than a foot deep, and probably
not more than a yard wide. Down the
outer face ran a sort of iron ladder
really little more than a succession of
narrow cleats.
THAT ladder leads down into the
hold" explained Carr. 1--WE got a
snug little room down there. with half
q dozen runways leading fore n aft
and cross ship"
Carr turned. Captain! If you'll
go dow first. Miss Archman can fol-
low, and I'll come last and close the
door,"
Captain Bunker hesitated. He had
been in command of ships too long to
relish taking orders from a mere lad.
otSlt0os hS was a man uih tht
space looked very narrow. whats
your dear he demanded doubtfully.
"We can hold the cabin"
mol We can't. captain. They're
twenty to n and they're armed and
we're not. Besides, we've got to think
of Miss Archman. We can't fight. but
] thins we can escape. If you'll trust
me-
oh. all right" Captain Bunker
spoke sulkily. but he stepped into the
chute. Nellie followed quickly.
Carr came last. AS he reached the
I bottom he clicked an electric button
and a bulb flashed out, showing n room
n dozen feet square. plainly one of the
fdisused spare rooms Of the ship.
I Nellie cried out in delight. but
Bunker looked disguised. Also he was
hot and GREATNESS and was suffering
from his wounded head. II don't like
this, Carr" he rasped. 81 don't like 1t
a bit. You've betrayed the trust / put
In you. l never thought you'd be a
stowaway. OF course. it's for the best,
suppose. but I'm disappointed all the
same. I'm disappointed"
Carr looked a little downcast. 81
don't think you will be, captain" he
protested hastily; mot when I've had
time to explain everything. Just
now"
Nellie was listening eagerly. TT
doesn't need any explanation I" she
cried. mfr. Carr did just right: I
think 1t was perfectly splendid of him
and the bravest thing I ever heard of.
OH don't see how he dared shut
himself up down here"
Carr laughed. but he did not move
from the foot of the chute. He
seemed to be listening for something.
Il didn't shut myself up altogether"
he protested. II was in and out all
the time. For instance, left a note in
Miss Bess' stateroom. telling her to
warn Captain Bunker that somebody
was going to try to steal his orders"
Good Lord! was that you? Why
didn't you leave II In my room?"
"Because-Hark !" Carr strained
his ear up the chute. False alarm !"
he said a moment later. 81 didn't
leave II there because Price was In
and out too much. and was prying
Into things too closely. didn't sus-
pect him of anything serious-I sus-
pected somebody else then-but I
knew he was prying. So l asked Miss
Bess to tell you"
And II was Price that got the pa.
pers, after all." grunted Bunker.
was It? I'm not sure. OF course
j don't know much, you know-only
what I could pick up by listening.
But. I'm inclined to think Price told
you the truth about himself. ] got
that map Of his. by the way"
You did?"
Sure thing. I got II and I packed
II In the lunch basket he was fixing
TO send ashore with Mrs. Archman and
her party. guess they've found 1t
all right by now. But we're wasting
m Listen. captain. You know the
ship! The passage outside the door
yonder"-Carr pointed-'leads to the
forward cargo port. Miss Archman's
Don't is probably still lying close along
sue. When our absence is discov-
cred and the niarm is given every
pody Is sure to rush to the cabin.
when they're all there we've got to
run forward and drop into the boat
ana pull like thunder. Seer Hnrk ]"
once more Carr listened.
Then he turned and nodded. aust
a moment" he cautioned and ran up
The ladder.
At the top he stopped and peered
through the peephole.
Price stood In the middle Of the
.noin. revolver In hand. looking dnzed-
" from the empty chairs and the loos-
ehed ropes TO the vacant room.