Evening star., 1927-05-15

TION OF WHICH w
| brought into our confidence. If you
| don't mind, would like you to 20
along and see the ships doctor, whose
| help will be necessary if my scheme
| is to be successful"
When Stone had gone and he was
alone with the girl:
"Betty-I'm going to call you Betty
You don't mind?"
| She shook her head
You have that pistol which BulIott
gave you?"
Yes" she said quietly.
And if necessary you will use it
| on anybody who attempts to harm
you-yes, there is that possibility
Latin is aboard, and is in control of
the ship. He hasn't interfered with
you or your uncle yet, because he
has his hands full with other mat
| ters. You told me the other day
that you were TO be an heiress after
all; what did you mean by that?"
! Il mean uncle told me that / was
his only living relative and his money
must come to me eventually. He
made q will in my favor before we
left England
Bill nodded slowly.
That accounts for the attack made
on him. Latin knows
But that is impossibIe-how could
he?"
'Eaffin knows" he insisted. "He
has sources of information of which
we do not dream. You're Laffin's
wife-if you are an heiress. he is the
husband Of an heiress. Betty, if any
fn
r. The look that came to her face hurt
and pleased him.
no you?" she said. in a frightened
voice. "Oh, Billy, nothing will hap.
pen to you:'
"Anything is possible. Pm not
trying to scare you-asaa l. don't
think. any way, that You're easily
scared. l wish--you don't know how
badly | wish-to give you courage
But you have TO face every posi-
bility, Betty, my dear"
He took her face in his hands and
looked hungrily into her eyes.
Il never dreamt-I never hoped
-" he said nuskily, and then, be.
fore he realized what he was doing,
he had kissed her.
The sound of handle turning
checked the torrent of words that
came to his lips, and Mr.. Stone came
in, to find a very breathless, rather
pale young man standing awkward
ly and guiltily before his niece.
~ Here is the doctor. I've told him
a little, said Stone as he bolted the
door. He probably thinks I am
| mad-maybe you will be able to con.
vince him."
The ships doctor, man of middle
age, was not as Skeptical as Bill had
expected.
Il knew. Of course, that. the ships
course had been altered" he said
and, in common with the purser. /
learned that these blackguards were
in control. Mr.. Stone says that YOU
want my assistance. What is your
plan?"
Holbrook's scheme had taken shape
that morning.
II must get into the wireless house
l. understand radio fairly well and I
used to be an expert telegraphist, ~
said Bill. THAT was part of my early
training when / was working in
America. But to get into that ca.
| boose means that we must overcome
the guard, and the only way we can
do that and escape a fuss is to dope
| him.
| DIR. Speer shook his head.
III you gave them slow dope il
| would take too long to work" he
| began.
| Il don't want a slow dope. I sug.
| gest something swift and sudden y
| interrupted Bill. II expect they will
allow me to go on the bridge to take
refreshments. At any rate, / have
asked Hale for the job. They have
no regular steward except the men
who are looking after their cabins on
the boat deck. Even If Hale doesn't
agree. 1 can go up without being
| questloned-and that I intend doing
the moment we strike fog bank-l
! don't care what they discover after
I've sent the message"
/ Speer pursed his lips: it was a new
experience for q respectable medical
| practitioner.
"Butyl is the stuff you want" he
said, and / have a quantity Of that
/ IN store--Ill make certain. You viii
he taking big risk, young man."
We are taking risks as it is,'' said
blH lfnpatlently. You do not know
the men we are dealing with"
The doctor went away and returned
almost Immediately with a fiutet
green flask, the stopper of which was
| sealed
Here is the stuff he said, anf
gave Holbrook a brief lecture on the
| dose and method OF administration
Il have not used it for q nefarious
| purpose. but l believe it is a drua
commonly used by thugs who wish t.
! bring their victims to u state OF i'm
mediate insensibility"
Bill slipped the bottle in his pocker
and went out. 1t was not advisable
that he should be seen too much il
the Stones cabin; they, of all pas
sengers, would be most ciosel,
watched. and he more than suspected
tFaI one Of the stewards on this decl
4 was associated with the pira ties. Tn,
man had made a sudden appearance
on this part of the ship, and wher
ordered to return to the steerage
where he belonged had fatty refused
Later the purser received an intima
ton that the man was not to be dis
| turbed.
In one sense his strangeness to tn.
: saloon portion of the Escorial work e(
TO the advantage Of Holbrook, for th'
! steerage stewards had special quar-
, ters, and he was not able to judg,
whether Bill was stranger or one O
the ships company.
In the course of the day he made
two visits to the forbidden deck, ono,
in company with another steward
when they took up and opened a cas'
Of whisky for the use of the new Off
! GERS, and once he carried tea to tht