Show SHE S H I 1 AW A P y op SYLVIA TAYLOR CHAPTER XIV karl was dressea dresse in white in appearance pe arance and manner he was as smooth smoot hand and impeccable as as always but bat the same qualities that once charmed joan now disgusted her as she asked coldly where is paul do you expect me to tell you karl parried where waif was paul this subject held her interest most she dared not think what might i become of her without him but the day p passed assed the night the next day wrid aad still she had not seen him and the next morning as she saw karl coming on deck she demanded what have you done with paul I 1 want to see him all right karl agreed surprisingly he summoned a sailor and spoke to him in german A few minutes later paul appeared his coat and tie were gone and his shirt was open at the throat he looked tired karl spoke rapidly in german then suddenly turned on his heel and walked away oh paul joan gasped are you all right im f fine ine paul said grimly karls just been trying to persuade me to join his little group both of us for that matter he thinks wed be valuable to him in his spying business then he at her with a smile you sound almost as if you caie care 1 I do joan said and suddenly she realized that she did care that she cared terribly what happened to paul OMa Uey five more days passed as the weather became increasingly uncomfortable were probably off the coast of mexico paul said as he stood at the rail looking into the vast expanse of blue sky and water without turning his head paul said in a low voice 1 I have something to tell you do you know which sailor is called thomas 1 I think so the one who br brings gs our meals right it seems karl has something on him forced him into service on this ship by blackmail hes promised to help us when the time comes what time joan asked feeling suddenly chilled in spite of the tropical sun if everything goes as I 1 expect it should be within two or three days you still dont know how karl plans to get rid of those papers submarine paul said briefly thomas tells me were to contact it within the next twenty four hours theres a ring around the moon paul observed were going to ha have ve some bad weather VAny anything thing would be better than this closing her eyes against the heat joan leaned her head against the chair when she felt a hand over hers she started oh paul col color 6 r flooded her cheeks joan he said simply dont you know im in love with you relief and joy flooded her heart fatigue fell like a mask from her young face ive bebenin be nin enin love with you ever sin since th the e first day I 1 saw you paul went on in his quiet voice but there was karl 11 oh darling thit that real I 1 love karl I 1 just thought I 1 did you must believe that paul of course I 1 believe it honey he said if I 1 do you think id be telling you this we omal leys are cagey people she smiled in the darkness if we ever get out of this mess paul continued seriously will you marry me its not an easy life you know joan im gone a great deal and my jobs dangerous I 1 much to offer you have all I 1 want joan assured him and paul weve got to get out of this now theres so much to live for karls voice broke through the night what a romantic little scene this is too bad that you two must be separated joan felt pauls warning hand upon her arm but she burst out what do you mean 1 I have been listening to your charming conversation karl told her joan could see the outline of his white suit in the darkness the glow of his cigarette since you seem so well informed about my plans it might interest you to know that when that submarine leaves this ship paul will be on it nobou No You cant do that she could imagine his smile as he said 1 I am really quite jealous joan that you can transfer your affection so quickly I 1 would prefer that paul padl i is s safely lout of the way 1 so that there is nothing to interfere with our friendship pauls hands clinched on the arms of his chair but he said nothing joan understood then that it was better to pacify karl than to antagonize him further her hand grasped pauls tightly as karl disappeared around the corner of the deck Is he bluffing she whispered 0 O of course he is paul replied calmly it would be easier to get rid of me entirely than to put me on another boat I 1 be any asset to karl on a submarine so 0 joan slept little that night the ship began to I 1 d roll and shudder as it met the s seas that increased as the night went on A sharp wind swept the deck black clouds raced across the moon and the sea splashed and hissed as it lashed over the prow pauls finger tapped on the wall joan moved closer to the thin boards that separated them and called what is it she did not understand his reply Y but realized that his door was being unlocked presently pauls head app appeared eared in in her door thomas is here and 7 0 k N on deck joan had to cling to paul to prevent the wind from sweeping her off her feet knows where those papers are were going to get them he said karl will find out she warned karl and the captain are drinking below they wont bother us take me with you please 1 im afraid paul hesitated then said all right maybe it would be better on deck joan had to clin cling g to paul to prevent the wind from sweeping her off her feet the decks were slippery from the spray and the waves rose like black liquid mountains As they proceeded cautiously joan dared not look 0 out ut into the night it was total blackness and sky and water seemed blended into one evil force from which came the howling wind and spray at last thomas unlocked a door and crossed the room in here he whispered indicating a small wall safe 1 I know how to open it he handed the papers to paul do what you like with 1 I hate karl miller in the gio glow w of the flashlight his eyes gleamed paul rapidly sorted them what are you going to do then joan asked im going to change them the plans for the bombing plane at least we should meet the submarine tomorrow thomas said looking fearfully over his shoulder but with this weather we may be off our course paul seated himself at the small wooden tableland tab table leand and handed a flashlight to thomas hold it as steady as possible he ordered from his pocket he drew a small bottle a brush pen and ink what are you doing joan asked watching the grotesque shadows cast on the wall as pauls fingers moved deftly over the paper when I 1 get through with these plans they wont know whether its a bombing plane or a washing machine once thomas opened the door t to 0 listen but only the wind greeted them blowing the salt spray into their faces and he shook his heid head this is going to be a bad one he predicted forcing his shoulder against the floor to close it paul finished his work and replaced the plans carefully in the safe joan was surprised to see him put the other papers back in their respective envelopes these thase papers are probably going to europe paul explained as he shut the safe thomas nodded right the way karl always does it then they cant prove anything paul threw the circle of his flashlight upon the door 1 I can prove it this time what some of the others thought thomas whispered but ive ve never seen anyone double cross karl and live to tell about it lets get out of here paul said taking joans arm the three of them made their way back and crowded into joans small cabin thomas stood by the door listening 1 I guess karl wont come on deck on a night like this he said theres nothing to do now but wait for morning paul said and I 1 want you to get some sleep joan he put his arms tenderly about her shoulders will you try honey thomas and I 1 will be right in the next cabin knock anthe on the wall walli if fy you a need me wide eyed joan lay awake listening to the thunder and the wild hiss of water as it flooded the deck the sensitive ship seemed like another human being as it fought its valiant battle against the storm creaking creavin 9 and groaning it pitted its strength against the double blows of wind and wave As 0 dawn the sea had subsided but rain still fell from clouded skies into the gray water outside thomas had reappeared at his post and paced the wet deck with measured tre tread d his sharp eyes searching the se seas it was seven when paul and joan finally went to the small lounge which served as a dining room and thomas brought their breakfast any news paul asked as thomas poured the coffee karl is with the captain the sailor reported communicated with the submarine by radio we should meet them in three or four hours paul rose do you think you can keep karl occupied in the captains quarters for a few minutes im going to thle the radio room ill try but the radio operator is a tough guy speak a word of english either hell turn you right over to karl paul smiled 1 I dont think so be careful joan begged knowing that to ask a sk for an explanation would be useless paul bent down to kiss her dont worry dear I 1 know what im doing ill be back soon when he had gone thomas paused in the doorway he should be more careful he even carry a gun 1 karl took his gun away and if he had another karl would find it thomas came closer but if you had a gun karl suspect what do you mean joan whispered thomas touched his pocket 1 I have one here ive had it for the last month but it do me any good if I 1 gave it to mr karl would find it but you might be able to hide it away may come in in handy joan was thinking rapidly not of herself but paul it would be a safe safeguard guard for both of them give it to me then she told thomas he handed it to her and she put it in her pocket good luccill luck he said and was gone joan did not tell paul about the gun she was afraid he would not want her to have the responsibility she remembered the last occa occasion sion she had held a gun in her hand the time karl shot eric and made her pick up the gun to have her incriminating fingerprints on it why so quiet paul inquired absorbed she had not heard him return she smiled nothing darling just thinking about me I 1 trust he drew her into his arms and kissed her 1 I love you Jo joail arill she felt as though his love built a high wall between her and the rest of the world im afraid never have an easy life paul warned ill be away a lot arid and sometimes I 1 wont be able to explain where or why have to trust rrie me TO BE CONTINUED |