Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1930-03-07
The MutinY Of the AlbatroSS


together. Hammer was polishing
brasses near the bridge; Hallett was
In the chartroom and a deckhand,
named Mike. at the wheel.
II must not run the risk of being
interrupted" he said gravely. 81 sug-
gest the library, madam, II you will
permit it,
When she had taken a seat below
and had told Clements to sit, she asked
him for what reason he needed pri-
vacy
81 have observed you for some time
now. Mrs. Railway" he began, "and
l think you will keep calmer than
most women when tell you what you
must hearn
She noticed that he had dropped the
use Of madam" He was no longer
the obliging and civil steward. AL
though he was courteous, his manner
was that of an equal.
"What have to say" he continued,
directly concerns the safety of,
among other people, Miss Unwin. /
am going to ask you to promise me
you will no: consult Captain Hallett or
his nephew on what l tell you. They
are too much prejudiced to be Of
value"
"And If decline?"
He reflected a moment.
II am going to rely on your intel
ligence when you have heard my news
to do as l advise. Mrs. Railway, you
must know that am not steward at
all. l assumed this grotesque and
braided jacket for special reasons.
The death of your husband upset my
plans"
Then what are you?" she demanded.
Clements was glad she did not show
fear, although he was sure she ex-
perienced it. He knew there was no
creature so difficult to deal with as
an hysterical woman.
"A collector of coins. You might
call my hobby by a harder name. At
considerable cost l induced Mr.. Rad
way to buy this boat. Gathering the
crew together was another item. 1t
was my intention to hold your hus-
band to ransom for a million dollars"
He outlined his plan and the rea-
sons for which he believed success
would have been certain. But he
made nc mention of the forger's name.
:You horrify me-" she cried, "and
l am glad your plans have come to
naught."
But have they?" he returned.
"That's just the point. admit l
feared they had at first. You are his
heir, Mrs. Railway, and shall tax
you the same sum. If you agree to
pay me the money and swear not to
take any legal steps against me,
will engage that the trip back to New
York will be swift and free from un-
pleasantness. Hallett will never need
to know anything"
II shall not pay you. l will not lend
myself to such an infamous thing"
''Then you will put yourself to a
great deal of trouble" he said in an
even tone. "Much more trouble than
you can imagine. Let us take the
thing in detail. You inform Hallett.
Very well. He will try to intimidate
the crew. He will find himself, If l.
can save him in time, in irons. Leary,
one of my men, assumes command and
we turn again south. We shall coal
at the Bahamas"
"You will have to give in some time
or another. The authorities will look
for u.s."
"Oh, no. Miss Unwin will have writ
ten to her parents, stating that you
are remaining away for an indefinite
period. The same hand which was to
have forged your husbands letters
will forge hers. Letters from you
will be received by your attorneys in
New York to the same effect. l have
left nothing to chance"
But after a time you will have to
give in. You cannot keep US away
for ever"
"After a time, my dear lady-that
is, if you wear out my patience-you
will not want to return to your native
land; nor will the girl Mary. Come