Evening star., 1925-08-06

Cornelius Blunn's hand left his hip
pocket. He was a good Judge of men,
and he realized that threats were not
likely to help him.
Look here" he said. You two
are sensible men. I'm sure of that.
/ want to tell you that Mr.. Slattery
is playing a very dangerous game.
He Is pretending to be broken down
to keep this gentleman, Baron Fun
derstrom, from attending the Nice
conference tomorrow"
Aye. aye" the engineer observed.
He has some good reason, no doubt.
II am not going to threaten you
with what may happen if this con-
spiracy is persisted in Blum went
on. Il want to put the matter to you
another way. Start your engines up
and get US into Monte Carlo before
morning and you shall have a draft
for 900, during the day"
Five thousand pounds" Chief En-
gineer Nicholson exclaimed.
Five thousand pounds" the cap
tain echoed.
It's an enormous sum-" the former
declared.
1T is yours. If you'll do as l have
asked" Blum assured them.
What's the matter with Mr.. Slat-
terry giving me my orders?" Nicholson
demanded.
Mr.. Slattery has already given you
his orders. and we don't approve of
them" Blum replied
It's a pity, that" the chief en-
gineer regretted. for Mr.. Slattery 8
are the only orders that are likely
to receive any attention on board this
ship"
IF to that five | were TO add an
other two?" Blum suggested.
Seven thousand pounds, Why.
man alive, it's a tremendous sum,
the other gasped. I'D not know
what to do with such a fortune"
That is for you to decide" Blum
said impatiently. You can make
your own arrangements with the cap
tain. All we ask Of you is TO start
your engines. and of the captain. to
take us into Monte Carlo. Come,
This shall mean your fortunes. both
of you. 1t shall be flo 900 between
you, paid in cash tomorrow morning
Ten thousand pounds" the en-
gineer repeated. Did you hear that.
Capt. Martin? Five thousand apiece,
Why, mon, the money would be a
temptation to US. Like as not we
would stay on land and get drunk
instead of coming to sea, like decent
Seafarlng men should
"Will you do it, or won't you?'
Blum demanded. suddenly supicious
of the others attitude
The chief engineer knocked the
ashes from his pipe.
I'm thinking" he said, that
neither of you gentlemen is much
used to the sea and the ways of
seafaring folk, or you'd know that
there isn't a self-respecting officer
/ born who'd take his orders from any
except his skipper. You're simply
wasting your time here, gentlemen
if you'll excuse me, III be getting
along. I've a fancy for a word with
Mr.. Slattery."
You'll stay here for the present.
Blum declared coolly. Don't make a
fuss about it. please. No one wants
to hurt you, but there's a great deal
at stake. and a few mems lives won't
make much difference"
The engineer looked in blank and
genuine amazement down the black
muZzle of Blunn's automatic.
Take your finger off that trigger
you blithering idiot" he shouted
Don't you know it might so off al
any minute?"
IT'S very likely indeed to 60 off
! if you move" Blum assured him
Just as you are, please, both OF
| you"
Baron thunderstorm stepped back
ward. and Blum followed his eX-
ample. Outside, they shut the door
and locked it. The two officers stared
at one another open-mouthed.
80 that's the game the engineer
exclaimed. We're keeping thai
warmed-up corpse of a lop-eared Ger
4 man from going to the conference
Abductors, That's what we are
| The captain helped himself tc
whisky and passed the decanter.
Fill up, jim" he invited, "anC
then you'd better press the bell
Nicholson did as he was bid. Their
he shook his head.
That fat chump wasn't quite such
a fiat as all that" he remarked
Wires cut outside"
Capt. Martin leaned back in hi
chair and laughed.
IF this doesn't beat the band"' h
exclaimed. ITO think that I've beer
going to sea for 80 years, and hav,
never been in a hold-up before, Drinl
up, Jim, and We'll get busy. Ther'
must be something we can do"
The chief mate, Henry Fosbrooke
was standing, his back to the rail
watching the somewhat erratic antic!
OF an uncertain Wlnd III his main
sail. The yacht being for a watcl
under his control he was indulgins
in some mild speculation as to tn,
reason for the curious instructions h
had received. To him, out of th'
gloom, came Blum, bulky, ponderous
slow-footed, followed by thunderstorm
gray and cold, silent as a dead man
Are you the officer in charge?
the former asked.
Il am, sir, for my SINS" was tn
| civil reply. We're giving you
queer sort of entertainment tonight.
My friend here, Baron Funder
strom. and l are the victims of
practical joke Blum continued
We have a proposition to make t
you"
"A proposition" the officer repeated
watching the slow bellying of his sal
"If ii is anything to do with gettin
busy down in the engine room,
shall be glad to hear it, anyhow.
don't fancy this Hopping about like
lame duck, with squalls in the offing.
ITO tell you the truth, neither d
We" Blum declared I'VE want t
turn the tables upon Mr.. Slattery. ]
there a second engineer on board?
There he is, sir" the mate ar
swered, pointing to a gloomy figur
standing with his hands in his pocket
few yards away.
II shall like to speak to him for
moment. Please call him."
Continued in Tomorrow's Star.)