Part 15 (2/2)
The drea a tarry hand on his shoulder Mr Heatherbloom raised himself The person had a characteristic Russian face For aman stared at the stolid features, then looked around his of such a place; has and chests, several of the lastto Mr
Heatherbloom's face; he realized nohat boat he was actually on, and what it all meant to hiard the upside down odd lettering, when the sailor, who had so uncereet out Mr
Heatherblooht-headed, but he steadied hiainst the ork The sailor drew a dipperful of hot tea from a samovar and thrust it into his hand He drank with avidity; after which the sailorman hesitated--a new risk confronted him To ould he be taken? The prince? He had once been standing in the area way of the Van Rolsen house when the nobleuished visitor then been so absorbed in the sight of Miss Dalry down the steps that he had utterly failed to observe the huain possibly not In the for-spell to think--to plan for the future, unless--There was another to reckon with--the woman he had met in the park, whose automobile he had attempted to follow She, too, was on the boat! He had been her dupe once Was he now to becoback noever; he had to go on--and he did, with seeh step
At the top of the ladder the sailor passed him on to some one else--an officer--who led him this way and that until they reached a secluded part of the deck, where, near the rail, stood a tall dark figure, glass in hand Until the last ht be only the captain he would be called on to encounter, and that that august person would suht, below, to work his passage in the sailors' galley, perhaps He would have welconominious service to have found now a respite--to be enabled to escape discovery a little longer But the wished-for contingency had not arisen He faced the inevitable
”The man, your Excellency!”
His excellency looked He had been scanning the horizon and his expression was both htly forward; his lids fell to conceal a sudden glitter in his eyes; his hand touched sonized him--There was one way--a last mad desperate way to serve, to save her It would be the end-all for hiive to her He did not value it greatly--that physical self that had been such an ill servant He gazed at the prince noith veiled expectancy, his attitude seeaze flare back with a spark of remembrance? If in that tense instant it had done so, then--
But his excellency regarded Mr Heatherbloom blankly; his eyes were emotionless
”You mean the felloe ran down?” The prince spoke as if irritated by the intrusion
”The same, Excellency!” The officer stepped back Mr Heatherblooet in our way for?” The prince's voice had a ant, over his uninvited passenger ”Don't you know enough to get out of the way?”
”It appears not, sir” Heatherbloom wondered at the sound of his own voice It seemed to come, snized him, but was he suspicious? Maybe not No one would be fool enough to get deliberately in the way of the fast-stea _Nevski_ Small craft were numerous in the bay and accidents to the so out of the ordinary for a big boat to run down a tiny craft It was somewhat uncommon for any one in the wee boat to save himself, truly, but even in this feature of the present case the prince experienced but a mild interest
”Who are you?” he said ”A fisherh so yesterday”
As he spoke his gaze swept beyond to not far-distant cabin doors and s He and the prince were standing on the starboard side of the boat; it was this side that had faced the island when the youngsand-hill, and fancied he had seen--
”What a to do with you?” The prince seemed more out of temper now ”My crew are all Russians and I don't want any of your--” He stopped; shi+fting lights played oaze; a few dissatisfied lines on his face deepened ”I didn't ask you to coesture
”Sorry to intrude!” Mr Heatherbloom spoke at random ”But I really couldn't help it, don't you know No time to ask permission”
His excellency frowned Did he suspect in these words an attempt at that insidious American humor he had often vainly endeavored to fatholy innocent but really very attentive eyes
A superb specimen of over six feet of masculinity, the prince was picturesquely attired in Russian yachting-garb while a Cossack cap adorned a visage as bold and ro upon it hi picture the prince presented on his own yacht--a sudden chill ran through Mr
Heatherblooon refused by Miss Dalrymple? A feudal lord who arian barons appear but sht of the sea seeed through his brain Betty Dalry inconsistencies, had so the wildest things Had she for excitement--or any other reason--eloped with the prince? Were they, perhaps, ht quickly All the circuinal one was--must be--correct
”Well, now you are here, I suppose I've got to keep you” The prince had again spoken
”I suppose so,” said Mr Heatherbloo now the near-by cabin s One, with beautiful lace and glilance
”What can you do?” Sharply