Evening star., 1928-03-20
e7qn IN on9 MAJ a1 Mystery Story
II me- NUAW1K e NWuAMTN@ By FRANK l. PACKARD
~ ~- omnHn 1877 mFrnkL l.
Copyright 1927. by Frank l.. Packard.


"Marionl" he cried and again, and
again. "Marion!"
And again. and again, he flung nlm-
self upon the door. striving with all ms
strength and weight to smash IT Win
his shoulders, using himself as human
battering ram, beating at the panels
until his fists we're raw and bleeding
and until from sheer exhaustion. ms
breath coming in great gasps. he hung
swaying upon his feet, grasping at the
edge of his bunk for support.
AS well have pitted himself against
stone wall!
There were no longer any shouts from
above--iust n huhbub of shouts and
cries and wild shrieks of laughter: but
these reached him now in merely sub
conscious way. Only one cry. cry III
a woman's voice, cry that had peer
uttered very long ago, echoed and re-
echoed in his earS--and he was Stlll
here, penned up. Gagged. impotent.
Strange that some of those devils run
ming amuck had not heard him batter
ing at the door--it must be because they
were making SO much noise themselves,
and because the cabin was down below
decks. Anyway he must take the risk
again. for there was another way Of at
tacking it He started to tear at the
planking that made the side Of his
| bunk If he could get one of these
planks loose he could break down the
door. Better that he should be heard
and take his chance with whoever came
than remain here and bury his head in
his arms, a beaten thing!
1t was Marion's cry he had heard
Marions!
The sweat stood out in great beads on
Peters forehead. his muscles cracked,
as, with feet braced against the wall. he
tugged at the bunk planking, 1t began
To give with sharp. protesting creaks
He pulled upon 1t with all his might
and, with low, exultant cry. freed one
end. The rest was easy now He tore
the other end loose, paused for an in
slant to regain his breath--and then,
with the plank poised for its drive
against the door panels. he stood sud-
denly still.
"Peter!" 1t came in a low, vibrant
whisper from outside the door I've
got bar here. Peter. my lad. Stand
by to give me hand. I'm going to
force the door"
1t was the little red-haired shippers
voice.
Right" said Peter hoarsely-and
flung the plank down on the bunk.
1t was perhaps half a minute, no
more. and yet to Peter 1t seemed a
space of time immeasurable, as he
listened and waited. while the little red
haired skipper drove his bar in between
the door lamb and the edge of the
door, and pried at the lock. And then
with a snap the lock gave way. and the
door stood open.
It was dark There was no light In
the alleyway. Peter could barely make
cut the others form. A revolver wa3
thrust into his hand.
Take it. my lad" whispered the lit
tie skipper hurriedly, Il fancy the only
thing left is a bit OF fight before they
get us. I thought you'd rather go out
that way son. Their trick worked, all
right There amt been any blood
spilled so far, because they had us cold
before anybody realized what was up.
and none of us was armed. Of course:
but they've got all the crew under hatch
for ard now. / suppose they'll Scuttie
the ship when they get through looting,
on the basis OF dead men telling no
tales They had the rest of us herded
on the deck near the saloon entrance
when they warped their hell's craft
alongside. and"
Watt" interrupted Peter tensely
| "Marion-Miss Garth--I heard her
I'm coming to that-that's how
got here" broke In the little skipper
gruf1iy. I'VE were all standing to-
gether; Stone. and some of the officers,
Rand. Garth and Miss Garth. you
understand?~-the swine were packed
around us four or five thick-Malays.
most of EN-. though there was a smat-
tering of black islanders amongst 'em,
too--then O tall fellow, dressed like a
European, but with the face of q devil.
broke through the circle and shouted
out some kind OF an order. And four
or five of EN- grabbed Miss Garth and
carried her of to the brig alongside.
Mr. Garth fought like tiger, and so
did the rest--except me. ! didn't. Peter
because it wasn't any good, and there
wasn't hope. They were 10 TO !, and
was thinking of something else. I'd
lost my own revolver OF course, when
we got pitched into the water from the
Break o. Dawn: but yesterday when ]
was In Mr.. Garth's rooms talking TO
him I saw a brace of 'em In the drawer
of one of the stands that he'd opened
I'm looking for some papers, and so,
'Damme says ! 10 myself 'mabbe here's
a chance for Peter and me TO get few
OF these hcllions before we all go out!'
And then in the melee, slipped back
through the saloon entrance without
being noticed and ran TO Mr.. Garth's
stateroom for the revolvers: then
dived down below got steel bar from
the engine room TO use on this door,
and"
(Continued In Tomorrow's STAR