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Show . . UfHfiL WFJ Jill J .. SYNOPSIS. The story opens with the introduction of John Stephens, adventurer, a Massachusetts Massa-chusetts man marooned by authorities at Valparaiso, Chile. Heing interested in mining operations in Bolivia, he was denounced de-nounced by Chile as an insurrectionist and as a consequence was biding. At his hotel his attention was attracted by an lnglishman and a young woman. Stephens rescued the young woman from a drunken officer. Ho was thanked by her. Admiral of the Peruvian navy eon-fronted eon-fronted Stephens, told him that war had been declared between Chile and Peru and offered him the otlice of captain. He desired that that night the Esmeralda, a Chilean vessel, should be captured. Stephens accepted the commission. Stephens met a motley crew, to which lie was assigned. He gave them final instructions. in-structions. They boarded the vessel. They successfully captured the vessel supposed to be the Esmeralda, through strategy. Capt. Stephens gave directions for the departure de-parture of the craft. He entered the, cabin cab-in and discovered the English woman and her maid. Stephens quickly learned the wrong vessel had been captured. It was Lord Darlington's private yacht, the lord's wife and maid being aboard. He explained the situation to iter ladv-ship. ladv-ship. Then First Mate Tuttle laid bare the plot, saying that the Sea Queen had been taken in order to go to the Antarctic Antarc-tic circle. Tuttle explained that on a former voyage he had learned that the Donna Isabel was lost In 1753. He had found it frozen in a huge case of ice on an island and contained much gold. Stephens consented to be the captain of the expedition. CHAPTER XI. Continued. This unexpected and undesirable information in-formation seemed fairly to stun the fellows, their eyes meeting blankly. I heard Bill Anderson swear. "The question is, how can we best dispose of them? This is no excursion excur-sion for ladies, no pleasure trip of any kind, we've started on. Shall we hail some passing vessel and trans-ship-them, or shall we run in to Juan Fer- 1 Does Celeste sit with us?" "I believe you would prefer having her in the circumstances. You would not feel quite so much alone." "I should like it; it was most thoughtful upon your part. Shall shall we be alone at table?" "With the exception of the first officer, offi-cer, who is really the leader on board." It was evident plainly enough that she shrank from the ordeal, the delicate deli-cate lines hardening about the mouth, the gray eyes eloquent of disinclination. dis-inclination. A moment she hesitated, her form swaying as though buffeted by a storm; then she slowly bent her head. "I am at your service, Mr. Stephens." In the main cabin we discovered the table already set and waiting, appearing appear-ing bright and cheery with a brave display of snowy cloth and glittering silver, the swinging shelf above adorned by bottles and gleaming glass. "Call Mr. Tuttle, Dade," I ordered, quietly. "Then hurry back and serve." CHAPTER XII. In Which I Endeavor to Assert Authority. Au-thority. I was on deck again at noon, and 'shot the sun, returning below to work out our position. The Sea Queen still held closely to her course, almost directly di-rectly west, and, realizing my helplessness, helpless-ness, I forebore asking useless questions. ques-tions. Indeed, I was secretly pleased that Tuttle still held to that point of the compass, for we were now in the direct path 'of Australian commerce, and hence much more likely to raise a sail at any moment than if we veered farther to the southward. If any such vessel appeared I had determined de-termined to pit my strength against the crew, even to the point of physical danger. At one i o'clock Dade called the women, and soon the four of us were "Treasure!" She Gasped, "Where Do You Propose Going in Search?" nanaez ana put them both sately ashore?" None of the three men ventured to glance toward me, and for a long moment no answering voice spoke. Then Tuttle gave oily utterance to words of compromise. "Blame if this don't sort o' knock me all out, sir," he acknowledged. "I don't exactly cotton to either of those idees of yours, an' I don't know what is best. I guess I'll have to talk it over with my mates here first, but you can tell them ladies that we'll get 'em out somehow before we turn south. Anyhow, they don't need to worry none 'bout bein' ill-treated. Then I take it, sir, that you mean to sail with us?" "There doesn't appear to be anything any-thing else I can do." "You're about right there. Well, let's shake hands on it." I did so, deliberately ignoring both the others, and feeling my flesh twitch when I touched his flabby palm. Tuttle chewed savagely on the tobacco tobac-co in his cheek. "Damn the women!" he commented in sudden anger. "Better give the crew their breakfast, Anderson. Mr. Stephens, I've sent Dade into the sabin to attend things aft. He'll make a good hand at that sort o' job." We passed out together into the bright sunlight on deck, and I remained re-mained in silence for a moment be- seated at table again. My lady's manner man-ner weighed upon my spirits, which had been none of the lightest before her appearance. I felt profoundly that the faint influence my previous words had inspired within her mind had already al-ready evaporated; that she now held me as at one with the remainder of the yacht's crew. I arose as they retired re-tired from the table, but received no reward of recognition from her averted eyes. Feeling deserted, almost humiliated, hu-miliated, I smoked my pipe alone on deck under the lee of the cabin. But it was perfectly useless loitering there, with no duties to perform, and the sea all about bare to the far horizon. Besides, Be-sides, some sailor instinct told me a storm was brewing yonder to the northward which might keep me upon the bridge all night, so, in preparation tor such a possibility, I went below and lay down in my bunk. I was a long time getting asleep, finally dropping drop-ping off only to be aroused by the rattling of dishes when Dade arranged the table for the last meal of the day. Do Nova was pacing the bridge and emerged from the companion. I could not see the seaman who hailed, the mist held so thick, and his words seemed like a weak echo. "Sail, almost directly ahead, sir." "W'ereaway ?" asked De Nova, peering peer-ing anxiously forward. "I can see tossing. Fo'c'sT zare you see ze ship?" "Nothin' in sight from here, sir." The mate stared up into the vapor overhead. "Ware was it you see it, you fellow m ze foreyard?" The odd echo of a voice came back nit of the sky. all my limbs tremble, my lips falter, as I made swift response. "Lady Darlington, believe me, I have no desire except honestly to serve you. The actual truth is, I have consented con-sented to retain what is a purely nominal nom-inal command of "this vessel, with no other purpose except that such outward out-ward authority yields me some opportunity op-portunity to assist and protect you. Otherwise I would spurn the whole affair and defy these outlaws to do their worst. It was a deplorable accident ac-cident that brought me here and placed me in this situation. Prac-lically Prac-lically I am as much a prisoner o$' board as yourself. Later, if the op-portunily op-portunily ever be given, I shall relate you my story, and then, perhaps, you will appreciate how perfectly helpless I am to overrule the decision of this vessel's crew. They are mad with the lust of gold, crazed by the prospect of suddenly achieving vast wealth through a single bold stroke. Would the tears of a woman influence them now? would the impotent threat of a single, helpless man? They are armed, organized, determined, desperate. "The only thing I can do. is apparently appar-ently to yield to them, trusting thus to persuade them into some measure of mercy; and the only thing you can do is pafiently to abide my efforts to release you from such companionship. I mean to do my best, even to the sacrifice sac-rifice of my life. The very thought, of bearing you with us into the fogs and dangers of that storm-lashed ocean is misery to me. God knows I would do anything possible to spare you such a fate. But 1 wish you to understand, realize fully, how difficult my own position po-sition is. 1 do not hid you hope; only pray, and, above all, retain your courage. cour-age. I promise nothing, because 1 dare venture no pledge. But I beseech be-seech you not to break down, not to exhibit open fear. In any event our first effort should he to' awaken con faience in the minds of our captors, and arrive at a frank understanding between ourselves. Lady Darlington, will you be guided in this by my judgment?" "Oh, I wish to believe," she sobbed, only half aloud, "I need some one, through the open port illumined her hair and outlined the delicate oval of her face. Troubled as she was, surrounded sur-rounded by a terror no. less real because be-cause she failed thoroughly to comprehend compre-hend it, facing one she must distrust and secretly fear, her first utterance, friendly and courteous, merely exhibited exhib-ited a heart which beat warmly beneath be-neath its slight armor of pride. "I am exceedingly glad to greet you again, Mr. Stephens," she said, pleasantly, pleas-antly, even endeavoring to smile; "you were absent so long we had begun to expect evil news." "I regret to say, Lady Darlington, that I bring you only very little of any kind," I replied, striving earnestly to imitate her self-possession. "Arrange-. "Arrange-. ments on board have not yet assumed definite shape, so that I can make no promise concerning your future. I can merely assure you jiresent safety, and pledge you every comfort the yacht affords while you remain with us." She continued to gaze at me strangely, her eyes filled with questioning. ques-tioning. "Then you you refuse to tell us our fate?" "Merely because I do not know it. As I said before I am only one man pitied against 20." She pressed her hand over her eyes, as though she would hide from me the sudden horror pictured within their depths. "What ale you?" she exclaimed, suddenly, her lips trembling. "Into whose hands have we fallen? I beg that you answer me honestly why have you stolen this yacht? What real purpose underlies this terrible outrage?" I made no effort to disguise the deep sympathy I felt, for her, yet there was nothing I could answer but must have sounded both harsh and cruel. "The motive -animating the men in control is similar to that which renders ren-ders possible most of the desperate deeds of the world the search after treasure." "Treasure!" she gasped, thoroughly bewildered. "Where do you propose going to search?" side the rail, gazing forth across the empty sea. Had I done what was right in all these circumstances? Under Un-der God, I was not really certain; yet could perceive no other action possible. pos-sible. A slenderly built, stoop-shouldered young fellow, who shuffled about like a. waiter ashore, was in the pantry, and I noticed a white cloth spread over the table, which had been lowered low-ered from its stanchions and now occupied oc-cupied the center of the main cabin, and a swinging shelf suspended above. "Ever act in this capacity before, Dade?" I asked, sizing him up in the :lim light. "Oh, yes, sir," a slight lisp to his ongue; "I've done cabin work on the .;oast liners." ' "Then you should surely understand your business. Lay covers for four." "Four, sir?" in surprise. "That is what I said, Dade; two ladies, Mr. Tuttle, and myself. That makes four to my figuring. Now step lively, my lad. When will breakfast be ready to serve?" "In about 15 minutes, sir." "I only caught her through a hole in he fog, sir, one point off the weather- ')0W." With a swift bouiid I was up the lops to the bridge and beside the econd officer, recklessly determined o assume command. Before he clearly realized my presence I jangled the bells iu the engine room. "Mold her steady as she is," I said sternly to the fellow grasping the wheel. De Nova wheeled and faced me, his black eyes full of sudden auger. "W'nt ze hell you mean?" he exclaimed, ex-claimed, so surprised he stuttered. "I was officer of ze deck." "And I am commanding the yacht. Mr. De Nova," 1 retorted quickly pushing back his hand from the signal, "I propose speaking that vessel yonder, yon-der, and trans-shipping our passengers. Port a little, my man no, port, you fool! now hold her so; steady." De Nova grasped my arm, his fingers like steel, but I broke away, pressing in between him and the rail. (TO Bli CONTINUED.) some one in whom 1 feel confidence, In whom I may repose faith. I beg of you not lo consider me weak, a nerveless creature, but this situation is intolerable. I will endeavor lo do what you ask. I will strive to be brave, helpful, appreciative. I I think you are what you say. See, I give you my hand in promise." I clasped if instantly within both my own, bending low above the white lingers, my lips set in firm resolve. I retained It. still when I lifted my head, and our glances met. "What Is It you first desire of me?" "Breakfast has been prepared, and Is now awaiting us In the cabin," I answered, an-swered, knowing well that some form of action must strengthen her more quickly than any further talk, "and I wish you to Join us at the table exactly ex-actly as though this was an ordinary voyage." "I know the lood will choke me. far south, into the Antarctic, The expression on her face was pitiful, piti-ful, yet 1 stood helpless to comfort. "Merciful God! And you actually mean lo hear us with you into that forsaken sea of ice? Oh, surely you jest, you seel; to frighten; you cannot be earnest in such act of cruelty. Whom can I believe? What can I hope? You have told me you were the captain of this crew of buccaneers, and yet you say you can accomplish nothing with them to forward our release. re-lease. Then lake me to those who can! J.t me beg upon my knees for mercy. Surely, surely we are of no value to you in your search after treasure. We are only weak, helpless women. Think of what this must mean to me, and be merciful." There was no trace of tears In her eyes, but it was the while, agonized face, the unconsciously outspread arms of appeal, that smote me. I felt I waited until he Became Dusy wiin his work, his face still filled with amazement over my revelation, then walked around the end of the piano, .ind rapped softly at the after-cabin floor. Celeste opened the door with x dainty courtesy and a quick uplifting uplift-ing of frightened eyes to my face. She had been crying, and in some way her very manner made me suddenly aware how poorly I stood in the estimation esti-mation of her mistress and herself. Vet, for the moment, I did not. seri-Diisly seri-Diisly care, stepping quietly within, cap in hand, Intent merely on the rapid completion of my visit. Lady Darlington aror.e instantly from her chair, steadying herself to the roll of the vessel with one hand on the brass rail of the bed, and fronted me silently, si-lently, the expression of her face expectant ex-pectant but reserved. Gazing upon her, 1 felt the fully revealed power of ht-. 1-J7 jly, as the sunlight streaming |