Evening star., 1924-09-30
THE OWLS HOUSE
A Thrilling Adventure Story
BV CrOSbie GarStin
~ CrOSble JarSdn
right. 1924. BY Frederick A. Stokes Co.

more your family would pay to get
you out of it, y'understan'? There was
a dozen fat Mynheer merchants took
on that 1ndiaman. and if the poor
souls knew what they're going
through they'd take the first chance
overboard-sharks is a sweet death
to what these heather serve you. I've
seen some of it in Algiers City-see
what / mean? Understan'?'
Ortho did not answer; he had sud-
denly realized that he had never told
Eli where the money was hidden
over seven hundred pounds-and how
was / ever going to tell him now? He
lay back on the bales and abandoned
himself to Improbable regrets
Mr.. Puddicombe, getting no re-
sponse to his chatter, cracked his
finger joints. his method of Willing
away the time. The afternoon wore
on, wore out. At sundown they were
given pittance of dry bread and
stale water. Later on man came
down, knocked Ortho's shackles off
and signed him to follow.
You're to be questioned" the ex-
slave whispered. BE careful now,
understand
The Moors were at their evening
meal. squatting. tight-packed round
oiS pOlS. IOr rnOTSelS with
their bare hands, gobbling and CAB
bling. The galley was between decks,
a brick structure built athwart-sh
AS Ortho passed he caught glimpse
OF the interior. 1t was a blaze of
light from the fires before which
couple of negroes toiled, stripped to
the waist, stirring up steaming CAL
drons; the sweat glistening like var
nish on their muscular bodies
His guide led him to the upper deck
The night breeze blew in his face,
deliciously chill after the foul air
below. He filled his lungs with
draughts of it. On the port quarter
tossed galaxy of twinkling lights
the admiral and the third ship. Be-
low in their rat-run holds were scores
OF people in no better plight than
himself, Ortho reflected, in some cases
worse, for many of the Dutchmen
were wounded. A merry world.
His guide ran up the quarterback
ladder. The officer of the watch, a
Clark silhouette lounging against
out a challenge in Arabic to which
the guide replied. He opened the door
of the poop cabin and thrust Ortho
within.
1t was a small place. with the ex-
ception of a couple of brass bound
chests, table and chair, quite un-
furnished. but it was luxurious after
a fashion and, compared with the
squalor of the hold, a paradise.
Mattresses were laid on the floor all
round the walls, and on these were
heaped a profusion of cushions, cush-
ions of soft leather and of green and
crimson velvet. The walls were
draped with hangings worked with
the same colors, and. a lamp of fret
ted brasswork, with six burners.
hung by chains from the ceiling. The
gigantic Moor who had called the
crew to prayers sat on the cushions
in a corner his feet drawn up under
him, a pyramid Of snowy draperies.
He was running a chain of beads
through his fingers, his lips moved in
silence. More than ever did he look
like Bible patriarch. On the port
side a tall Berber lay outstretched,
his face to the wall: a watch-keeper
taking his rest. At the table, his
back to the ornamented rudder-cas-
ing. sat stout little man with
cropped head, scarlet face and bright
blue eyes. Ortho saw to his surprise
hut the heavy blue sea-coat of an
English sailor, a canary muffler and
knee-breeches.
The little mans unflinching bright
eyes ran all over him.
''Cornishman?" he inquired in per-
feet English.
Yes. sir"
Fisherman" apprising the boys
canvas smock, apron and boots. -.
Yes, sir.
Blown off-shore-eh7"
Yes, sir"
Where from? Isles of Scilly?'
No. sir; Monks Cove" t-s,
Where's that?'
"Sou'west corner Of Mounts Bay,
sir. near Penzance."
"Penzance, ah-ha! Penzance," the
captain repeated. Now what, do
know of Penzance" He screwed his
eyes up, rubbed the back of his head,
puzzling. "Penzancer'
Then he banged his fist on the
table. "Damme, of course!'
He turned to Ortho again. Got
any property in this sCove-housea
boats or belike?'>
mo. STR"
+ Father? .Rro$ANfHf
Relations?"
- .s--,I- aa.--t-. =.