The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-02-26
CHAPTER XII-Continued

Il
-12-
"You must go out and get fresh
air, Miss Cutler" he said gently.
you're losing the roses in your
cheeks I'll watch"
do you think I'd quit when YOU
you Oh" she exclaimed impulsively.
"how can / ever thank you. You've
saved uncles life, ana protected me
from something worse!"
Dick took the two hands extended
to him and held them an instant. I'm
already rewarded" he replied, bowling
his head. your gratefulness Is
enough"
''And to think" she added, smiling
through tears, 81 took you at first for
the cause of all our trouble
What did you think wasp he
asked, his eyes twinkling.
Her face flushed under his gaze.
"Why, l thought you were in some
sort of a plot to rob us. You see,
Mr.. Blake had sent the servants down
ahead of us, and when we found them
gone we were puzzled and alarmed.
Then your appearance on the island
looked suspicious"
you never suspected Blake?"
mo, why should I? He had been
uncle's secretary for years. Uncle
trusted him, and turned over most of
his private papers into his keeping.
/ used to think at times that Mr..
Blake had more influence over uncle
than /, and it piqued me- But 1 never
dreamed of his doing anything"
She stopped, and asked quickly,
what was the plot2 What did he
intend to do? I'm all mystified yet.
/ simply know that-that-"
"-he made love to you, and when
you refused him he threatened you,"
Dick finished for her.
"How did you know that" she
asked, flushing rich, rosy red.
"I've been an eavesdropper ever
since we sailed he laughed. Il seem
to have lost all sense of deceney in
that respect"
"Eavesdropping in a good cause is
nothing to be ashamed Of she re-
piled, giving him a smile that made
him dizzy.
Recovering from the momentary
confusion caused by her smile, he
asked: what excuse did Mr.. Blake
give for sending the yacht away that
first night?'
'"T0 get more servants"
Sand you believed him?"
Eyes, but l rebuked him for doing il
without consulting me first. / told
him we should turn right around and
go back home"
81 see," unused Dick thOughtfully.
Perhaps he thought you'd want to
do something like that, and he fore
stalled it by sending the. yacht away
at once. He didn't want to take a
chance keeping it here. OF course,
he was very sorry, and all that-very
contrite, wasn't he?"
"You seem to read him pretty well,
Mr.-Mr-"
He smiled when she stopped for
him to enlighten her. "Dick's the only
name l have down here" he said.
Then changing the subject quickly, he
added, you say Mr.. Blake, as your
uncle's private secretary, was trusted
by. him in many important matters?
Do you happen to know whether he
had the combination to his private
safe and deposit vaults?"
"Yes, think he did"
"Then that will explain many mat
ters," was the quiet remark.
She watched him curiously, waiting
for him to explain, but he had grown
suddenly dumb. Walking to the win
dow in the alcove he glanced through
it, A wonderful panorama of the
sea was spread before him. She fol-
lowed, and together they watched the
heaving bosom of the ocean, fasci-
mated by the simmering path of gold
that the sun made on the waves.
Suddenly her eyes opened wide,
and, with finger pointing, she ex-
claimed exultantly, "a ship! Rescue's
coming!"
Dick gave one hasty glance, and
then caught her hand and jerked it
down. BE quiet!" he whispered.
Its the Pelican"
~VxA nrrn VErT