, 1924-08-20
CHAPTER IX-Continued

| oIthiioh ubout SO-Sdllcu IlOtICIiltn Ht
distrusted them and their credentials
on principle. and set little store by
the fact that Lord George had been
introduced by another nobleman. Only
the fact that Lord George had been
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
he got no results; though apparently
open and frank TO the limit, Lord
George CAV 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
Denslow, and inquired into her where
abouts during the afternoon. and found
that she was fully accounted for.
There remained only Mrs. 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
| gerlng 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
49,. A. --.I. ..,ll 80 100000, sl.o
technical skill necessary to open a safe
by lingering the tumblers of the lock.
Only q person OF unusual skill and of
long training could possibly have done
this.
Captain Bunker was forced to con-
| clude that some member of the crew
had taken desperate chances and ven-
tured aft. where he hac no business.
and had succeeded in reaching the
cabin and getting into the safe. In
ve~stigation, 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 to 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. I'm going
| to the bridge" she announced.
Harry looked up. captain Bunker
won't want you." he began. Then,
--.- sA.s I'll .l.&A- bod v-oIfaA for
no comment. ne turned to Lord George
! with a laugh. 1--WE men will have to
get up an association In America to
regain our rights" he said.
Lord George did not answer for a
moment. Then he started. "Oh! All
Yesi Quite so. old chap" he answered.
heartily but vaguely.
Harry stared at him, but the Eng
| lishman said no more, and after a mo-
ment Harry got up and wandered away
forward.
Meanwhile Bess had assembled to the
bridge and had gone to Captain Bunk
er's side. II couldn't stay away any
longer. captain" she murmured. Il
was too anxious. Have We lodged
shemT
Captain Bunker turned a dim face
to the girl. IL think So" he said. AT
all events we're going In"
"Going int"
Eyes. We've just passed Lobos
island. Yonder II lies" He pointed
to the east. but Bess could see no
trace of the blacker shadow Of the
land. "Our destination is Just ten
miles due south. It's the island shown
In that map your mother brought me-
"Ohl" In the stress Of the greater
emotion that had arisen out OF the
| violation Of the Instructions, Bess had
forgotten the map. as II the right
mapf" she asked. ~ have forgotten
1 to nsk."
"Yes; It's the right map" Captain
Bunker looked about him long and
steadily. Then he turned to his frs
officer. Keep her ms she Is. Mr.. Col
Inns" he instructed. I'm going to the
chart house" He glanced at Bess
"wnl you come. Miss Archmanf' he
invited. 81 want to talk with You"
Bess went very willingly. Captain
Bunker led the way to the chart house
and held open the door for her. THAI
young womnn stared into the black
ness. then stepped In. and waited while
Captain Bunker closed the door, shut
ting out the faint light that leaked
from the cloudcd stars. She heart
the captain moving about In the dark
ness, apparently b~lnnketlng the win
dows; then she heard n faint click
and saw n closely shnded electric hull
glow out. throwing u q n OF High
upon the table In the center OF TN
room. by Its mid she made her wa,
to n chnlr beside the table and sa
down.
Captain Bunker sat down opposite
her. Here is your map" he snid, lay
Ing the muddy. bloodstnineh square o
49,. sll.. NAsaA hAeA 4