Evening star., 1927-10-29
THE BLACK JOKER
BY ISABEL OSTRANDER.

his antagonist there had come sud
den splash and the thwart upon which
but moment before Sayre had been
huddled was empty save for n coat
and overcoat which was strangely
lumpy and thick.
But there was no sign OF Sayre
himself. Had one of those shot found
it's mark? Janet shuddered, staring
down into the depth of the water.
but no sign of him reappeared on the
surface and the fog closed in heavier
than before, blotting from her mind
all hope Of rescue.
When Marriott and the three sailors
had gotten aboard the launch, the last
one, by orders of the Victor, brought
with him the coats Sayre had left he
hind and after examining them Nor.
man laughed again and tossed them
over the side
STUFFED. eh? Who was your friend,
Marriott? Never mind. he'll sink all
the quicker without it, especially IL
he's got supercargO of lead now.
Boys, sink that little tub and then
we'll get back to the ship"
Another volley riddled the little life
boat and it settled into the water, dis
appearing with a gurgle even as they
turned, and the launch steamed back
to the disguised vessel.
Janet gave one glance at Mariotts
white, set face and then looked quickly
away. unable to bear the expression
she saw there. Then she became
aware of low, bitter sobbing beside
her and turned to Lucy in tears, not
of fear, hut of grief.
Quickly Janet pressed her hand.
They were enemies, this creature was
traitor even TO her own cause, but
she was woman and in sorrow.
N.-hi a.
| he can swim at all I'm almost sure
that he got away. A few strokes
under water have taken him into the
fog and we must be near shore some
where. Don't give this wretch the
satisfaction OF seeing you suffer-
Lucy gave her hand quick
squeeze. but made no response and
they pulled up beside the other vessel
in silence. They were hurried aboard
and Janet found herself on the deck
of a smaller but cleaner craft than
the tramp, Daisy ID. The woodwork
was scrubbed and there were even in.
dicatiOns that the brass and other
metal had been polished at some not
remote period but she had time to
observe no more, for Norman bel
lowed:
GIVE her all the steam you've got.
now. Captain, Get her out of the path
of that drifting hulk and then full
speed ahead. Now come below, YOU
three. l have a word or two to say
| to NOu.
The drifting hulk" could mean
none other than the Daisy D. His
men must have put her engine out
of commission, but what of all the
| souls on hoard? Janet dared not think
as she followed Norman down to a
cramped but fairly comfortable state
room which evidently served as mess
also, for greasy platters and mugs
still stood about on the table. Norman
took a chair at it's head and motioned
the others to either side. but though
| Janet and Lucy seated themselves,
Marriott remained standing.
| Now then, who's this woman?"
| Norman pointed peremptorily at Lucy.
Her tears had ceased, her eyes were
very bright and a spot Of vivid red
| glowed in her cheeks.
| She tossed her head defiantly and
| Janet replied for her impulsively.
| shes my new maid, Lucy Haw-
kins, and she knows nothing what
ever of-of a certain business matter
that interests you! She was no more
willing passenger than 1 on Mr..
Mariott's trip, as you ought to know
if you've been trailing us, as you
SStHI W ItNc uOHS.
Speaking with the asperity that had
carried weight with him in their pre-
vious interview, Janet stared straight
into Norman's small! eyes, but he
shook his head.
1t won't go this time, young
woman. If this girl isn't working for
Marriott she's one of the Black Joker's
pack, and it's all one to me. Mrs.
Crole, take this one below, search her
and lock her up in the double cabin.
Come back when / ring"
A mature woman with broad hips
and a heavy face marked by thick
brows and an incipient mustache had
entered and took Lucy by the arm.
The girl wavered as though to show
resistance, but after a glance at her
fellow prisoners she permitted her.
self to be led away and Norman turn.
cd to Janet.
Now then. let's see If we can get
at the TRUTH he began in his deep,
compelling tones. "The last time we
talked together YOU hated all of us,
but you hated this lad here worse,
but that night he helped you to escape
and the two of you beat 1t away in
plane. You left him next morning
with his head stove in out in the
Middle West and beat it back to your
own nome with the help of some Of
the Black Joker's crew, but ran away
again on Friday"
He stopped in amaZement at an un-
expected sound. Janet was laughing.
Yes! That was a nice, open field,
wasn't 1t. where a mouse couldn't
have hidden, but you and your chauf.
feur thug didn't even look at the
scarecrow and watch it take off its
shoes-while you were browbeating
the farmer-and kick them where
you'd find them
III be-" The rest was lost as
Norman brought his heavy fist down
with a crash on the table. you've
got more nerve than any woman in
my outfit. I'll say that for you, Your
gang wrecked my special, but we got
your buddy the next day and then
you-"
Then put myself In the hands of
your spy!" Janet exclaimed bitterly,
for this confirmation of her fears for
the gallant Five of Diamonds struck
hard.
Continued in Tomorrow's StarD