The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-10-08

to the watcher above, but this man
had been drawn aft by the cry OF
alarm and Neill was not seen.
The men on the different ships
were shouting back and forth to
each other, and Neil could hear
running feet converging on the
Lincoln. He worked with feverish
haste. First to count windows on
the promenade; IL from the bow.
There was plenty of rope. He I'M
rolled a coil and tied it in a slip
knot to stanchion opposite the
twelfth window, letting both ends
hang overheard.
He lowered himself over the
rail. His calculations were right:
he came down opposite the open
window of the veranda outside
Janeps suite. Swinging his legs in
side, he caught hold Of the top of
the frame and dropped to the deck.
The suite was dark, but he was
aware of Janet's presence. He
heard her catch her breath in NOR
tai fear, and snatch up the gun.
"Jenl" he whispered. 'Tt's me,
Neilll''
A shuddering breath escaped her
and the gun dropped to the floor.
Neil jerked the rope, bringing it
free above, and let the whole thing
! fall IN the river The tide would
carry it away. He caught JanHt iii
his arms and held her close.
There's Always A Way iii
l"OH, N-NEILL!n she stuttered.
~ trying to laugh. ~ thoh ght
they had mel ~ thon9ht they
had mel" =.
TITS all right, Honey"
Why did you come that way?"
i had no choice. They are
searching the ships"
Searching the ships!"
He laughed to reassure her. 'Tm
one Of the searching party!"
"Oh, Neilll''
ITS all right! Wen fool them
She chung to him silently. After
a moment she murmured, speak
ing with difficulty: mol You
must go back to them, Neill!"
What"
"When l am found you must
make out that you never saw me
before"
He laughed, rubbing his cheek
In her hair. Don't be foolish!"
i mean it, Neilll There is no
need for you to be drawn into it.
You can help me more If you are
free and unsupported"
I'm not going to leave you.
We're in this togetherl"
But Neill !. .r'
'Listenl Let's see If we can't
dope out what they're up to"
he drew her out on the veranda
and they stood listening at the
open window. In the intense still
ness, voices came drifting down
from the boat deck. They distin-
guished Bonniger's voice.
You say you saw somebody
aboard this vessel?"
| saw something, Mr.. Bonniger.
A shadow, like, fitting across from
rail to rail. When / turned my light
that way, It was gone"
Somebody else said: II heard a
splash"
Wen search this vessel" said
Bonniger.
IF he was on deck he couldn't
get down below" put in Bickel.
There is always way, captain.
] have already found one unlocked
door, yonder. 1t leads into the en-
CINE room"
There was silence while Bickel
presumably examined the door.
Well, I'll be darnedl" he said. "Tll
rope this up right now. If he went
down here he can't get out again. I"
F'orsythe," said Bonniger. Ego
back to the Montmorenci and
bring over the rest of the search
party. You men who are posted on
deck, go back to your stations and
keep q sharp lookout" 1871
The voices moved away out Of
hearing.
I'VE are trapped" murmured
Janet.
AS Bonniger. says, there is ale
ways way" said Neill with more
confidence than he felt.
"Let US 60 down the rope ladder
and swim for it" ,g
useless, Honey. The ladder
would be found and we wouldn't
get far"
Then let us give ourselves up
and be done with it. What's the
use of prolonging the agony7"
mol"
Have you any plant"
"Waitl I'm not going to give up
until am forced TO. Quickl
We've got to clean up this cabin.
We must leave 1t looking exactly
as we found il"
He snapped on the fiashlight and
laid It on the floor. He closed the
windows on the veranda and the
French windows. and they set
about gathering up everything
they had brought into the suite:
ropes. bucket. spare clothes. The
remains Of the food and water
were put IN the bread box. II made
a considerable load to divide be-
tween them
When they were ready. Neil
unboised all the doors giving on
the corridor as they had been
when they came. They stole out,
carrying their belongings.
lcsfwss&s. 1857. - Rssasra Fesa~ssg