Evening star., 1925-08-08
CONTINUED from Yesterdays starr

p
Mr.. Cornelius Blum suddenly came
into evidence. He stepped through
the companionway with the obvious
air Of having something to say.
There Is no cause for alarm" he
assured them: ''the whole affair is a
mere trihe, but Mr.. Slattery has met
with a slight accident. He seems to
have slipped coming down the steps
from the bridge. We've taken him
into the saloon. If one of you ladies
who is accustomed. to bandaging--''
Gertrude and Susan both rose to
their feet. Susan. however, was half
way down the stairs before the others
had started. Grant was, lying upon
sofa. and a steward was bathing his
forehead. He looked up as Susan en-
tered. She hurried over to his side
and waved the steward away.
Are you hurt, Grant," she whis-
pered eagerly.
Not l." he ansYered I'm making
the worse of it. but | shall be all right
in half an hour. It's a fair enough
fight, Susan, but these fellows are in
earnest, especially Blum. Look here
Nicholson and Martin must be locked
up in the chief engineers quarters.
All the bells are cut, but the captain &
boy is certain to find them within half
an hour. The worse of it Is, we shall
be in sight Of Monaco in an hour or
so IL they keep this speed up"
They shan'n't." she declared. Tell
me. Who's my man? Where shall !
go, the engine room, or the bridge?"
Grant smiled.
Bravo, child"' he muttered. Look
out! They're coming. The bridge"
Susan turned away with &c little
shiver Of excitement. Gertrude, who
had just hurried in, knelt down by
Grants side and called to the steward.
"Some more hot water and lint. y
she directed. Some disinfectant, If
you have 1t, and a sponge. Please
leave this to me, all of you. I'm used
to bandaging but l hate to have toe
many people round"
Susan left the saloon stealthily and
made her way back on deck. She
walked up the lee side and climbed
the stairs down which Grant had been
thrown. The officer in charge was
standing, looking steadily at a light
far ahead. He suddenly felt a touch
on his arm and turned round with a
start to find Susan by his side.
DO you mind my talking 10 you
for minute" she whispered. Were
all so scared--so afraid that we're go
ing to break down or something"
We're quite all right" the young
man declared, a little thickly.
Shall we get back to Monaco to
night?"
I'm about two hours time. We shall
see the lights presently"
What is our course just now
them" she inquired.
Almost due north he replied
There's just a point or two Of east In
it. You'd better get down. your lady
ship. Mr.. Slattery doesn't allow any
one on the bridge unless he brings
them here himself"
| She edged a little away from him.
Where do you give your orders tt
| the engine room?" she said.
He pointed to the charthouse be
hind. She nodded.
II have brought you message
from Mr.. Slattery," she said.
He looked at her suspiciously. There
was something stealthy and guard
ed in her attitude. The wind was
blowing her hair back from her face
1t was a very strong, capable face-a
stronger face than his own. Her eyes
too-soft and brown, but compelling
seemed to hold him.
Mr.. Slattery's message" she went
on, 'fs that you alter the course to
due south. II is his wish to go nc
nearer to Monaco. VIII you please
ring down to the engine room at once
and reverse your course"
II can't do that, your ladyship," he
declined. Il have my orders. / must
stick to them"
And ! have NINE" she said. from
Mr.. Slattery. I have never broken my
word in my life and you can take this
from me, just as though I were a man
I'm not going to risk killing you out
right, but I'm going TO shoot you frs
| through one leg and then through the