The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-03-05
CHAPTER xIII-Continued

with smile on his lips, he walked to
the end of the dock where the crew
was still busy making the yacht fast.
Brent's mate was in charge, giving
directions to the men. Dick walked
up to him.
"Hello, Barnett, you still sailing on
the old Beacon?" he greeted.
The mate, a young man, swung
around in astonishment stared stu
pidly at the speaker moment, and
then with CLEAN of recognition in
his gray eyes smiled and touched his
cap.
How do you do, Mr.. Van Ness!
How'd you get down here?"
"Came down with you in the yacht
Young Barnett stared incredulousiy.
Dick turned his head, and began
greeting the other members of the,
crew Familiarity.
well, if there isn't old Brenn!
Haven't you retired yet, you old salt
water horse? Hello, Jurgins! How's
that rheumatic knee? Suffering cats,
you're spryer than ever! Hello, Billy,
and Benz
The whole crew began nodding or
waving to him, some crowding around
and shaking hands with him.
This is like old times" Dick added,
little affected by the greetings.
Dads whole crew, except Captain
Johnston. Where's he?"
Il dunno, Mr.. Van Ness" replied
Jurgins. HE was relieved of duty
month ago. 1t was sad day for the
rest of us when he left. 'Tain't like
1t used to be-"
mo, Brent isn't Captain Johnston"
Alice Cutler stood in the back
ground, completely mystified and
puzzled at first, but she was bright
enough to connect the name they used
with the former owner of the yacht.
This and the information Dick had
given her concerning the secret COM
partment on the yacht brought final
complete enlightenment. She smiled.
"You seem to knew uncle's crew
better than I do she broke in ."You
might introduce me, Mr.. Van Ness"
Dick smiled and looked foolish.
There was no further need Of con-
cealing his identity, but there was
necessity of acting quickly before
Brent returned.
'"They all know you, Miss Alice" he
replied hastily, land respect YOU"
AYE! Aye, sir!" responded the
men, touching their caps.
Dick watched them moment in
silence. Then his face became sud-
denly grave and severe Barnett, /
want you and the others to listen
attentively to me-" he began. You're
up against hard proposition You've
got to choose between your captain
and your employer. Mr.. Cutler is up
at the house unconscious, suffering
from poisonous drug that Doctor Al
ster gave him. Mr.. Blake, who plotted
the whole thing against his employer,
is cooling himself in cave on the
island where 1 put him-along with
MCGEE, who left the yacht few days
ago. He swan to the island and re-
ported the yacht wrecked on the
shoals, with her wireless dismantled.
l leave 1t to you whether it was"
The men frowned and stared In
amazement
Miss Cutler here will back. up all
my statements" Dick continued.
We're both working in the interests
of Mr.. Cutler, who is temporarily I'M
able to speak for himself. Captain
Brent is in league with Blake and
Doctor Alster to keep your employer
here unconscious until they can play
their game So far as / know they
intended to let him die finally"
He caught his breath, pausing long
enough to let his words sink in. 'Be-
fore you came back, we had every
thing our own way. Blake and Nc
Gee were prisoners, and Doctor Alster
was cowed so that he had to do our
bidding. / had sent wireless broad
cast, calling for help. l imagine Brent
picked that up and hurried back. Any
way, his coming upsets the whole
kettle of fish. He'll stiffen Doctor
Aister's spine, and perhaps release
Blake and MCGEE. ThereIl be four
Of them, Captain Brent's armed, I
suppose, but the others are not. 1
relieved them of their weapons"
Again he paused, sweeping the circle
of faces little anxiously. "Now," he
resumed, there's going to be fight
for possession of this island and the
yacht. Help from some passing ship
may come at any time, but we can't
depend upon that. We've got to face
the music now"
He turned to the girl at his si,ie
Miss Cutler, in the name of her
uncle, who owns this yacht and island
gives me the right to speak for her.
Do you not, Miss Alice?"
YES, yes" she replied hastily.
Everything he says is true"
"Then," resumed Dick, smiling at
the crew, 81 want volunteers to help
us. Wait a minute" he added, frown-
ing, ''let's do the thing lawfully. We