The Ely miner., 1930-05-16


ing us like this? What do you expect
to get for it,"
The yard-arm, with it's dangling
victim, recurred. He was inspired
with sudden cunning.
IF they ..new. they'd kill me-" he
whispered. He cast about for word.
.T'm neutral" said Slivers.
"You're the best little neutral ever
knew" Bettington said heartily, as he
looked at the provender. where are
you going now?" He had some idea
of adding the boy to his company.
"Back 20 hear what they're saying"
He shook his head wisely. "Ill come
around agen tomOrrer night"
Crosby Todd was the first to rise.
He looked with astonishment at the
provisions. In his first flush of grati-
tude he forgot that Bettington must
have opened the door and been in
communication with the enemy this
was soon to seem very suspicious
action.
At the same time, In the .after part
Vi tIle SHIP MGlLSCl anu 4 CiClI ldCGS
one another. they h"d fallen asleep
after hours of splendid planning. They
had decided with enthusiasm to slay
the doctor. the wireless operator and
Bob Unwin as soon as morning came.
The morning came too soon: they
had been scarcely two hours asleep
when KenZe awOke them. Already
they were paying the penalty of the
reckless mixing of drinks. KenZie
brought all enormous pot of coffee;
he wanted to talk business. whats
going to be done?" he asked.
Pereira waved an arm impatienty.
He did not realize that the Albatross
was rolling gently in the trough of the
summer sea. He was anxious for those
delights which had teen assured in
LimOn.
"We waste time," he declared with
dignity; "go as fast az you can"
Metzger sObered. saw things in
less happy light. In his mad anger
toward BettingtOn he had forgotten
that unless a competent navigator
were discovered the AlbatrOss must
drift until another boat had seen her
and reported her condition or prOffered
the help that would not be accepted.
Mike could steer a course If it were
set. but who was to set it?
Kenzie delivered an ultimatum. 81
want to know if I'm to let my fires
out or keep up steam."
$50 below" Metzger commanded.
81 will let you know what is to be
DONE"
Metzger convicted himself of gross
stupidity. Why had he not applauded
the surgeon for the death Of Sam
and so gained his whole confidence?
Instead of this, his insane jealousy
had cropped out. It had driven the
doctor to the side of the woman he
longed for. 1t had left the yacht with
out the one man who could find where
shoals were and watch the charts for
hidden dangers. When Sivers ap-
peared With the omelette Metzger
had decided on his course. The boy
would do as a messenger to Bettington
and the rest. They would hardly
shoot him; if they did, little harm
would be done.
He took piece of the ships mono
grammed paper and scribbled note.
Pereira approved it and Sliyers was
used as the messenger.
When the cooks helper raped at
the door and, since was on legiti-
mate errand, dared to shout, it was
Crosby Todd who cautiously peered
through. Bettington was rigging up
an electric stove in what had been
Railways room.
"a letter for the Doc" said Slivers.
Todd drew him in and shut the
door.
"Where is it?" Todd demanded.
'It's for the Doc"
"I'll give it to him." Todd snatched
it from him roughly. Instinctively he
felt there must be something here
which would give color to his sus-
picions. Its all right" he said to
Slivers.
Todd did not read it until he was
out of sight. His eyes grew bright.
Here was the evidence he needed to
convince Mrs. Radway. Now she must
abandon this stubbcrnly held faith.
Allowing a few minutes to elapse he
went back to the waiting boy.
Doctor Waite will write an an
swer in half-an-hour. He says he
must consider the proposition. Now
run away for thirty minutes, son."
Slivers' message was received in
the silence of deep gloom.
"What's he mean by that?" MetZger
demanded when the boy had gone.
"She will not let him leave her."
Periera said. "What else should
il be?'
So busted was Bettington in wiring
the little unconnected stove. that he
did not notice the others were gath
cred in Mrs. Railways room. Evelyn
Radway knew from the triumph on
Todd's face that he had some new
winged barb for the doctor. She felt
she had never detested anyone so
much as this self-assured young man,
upon whose words Mary and her broth
er hung.
"Mrs. Radway," Todd began, "you
know our interests all lie in the same
direction. In justice to us as well as
yourself you wouldn't want to put
confidence in anyone you knew posi-
lively was unworthy. would you"
Certainly not"
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