MURDER WILL OUT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 163, 11 July 1900, Page 6

MURDER WILL OUT.

By EDGAK PICKERING, Author of "A Stout lsnglish Bowman," "Kins for a Bummer." etc.

CHAPTEE XVII. (Continued.) The Varra made fair weather in crossing the Bay, and in due time the coast of Spain was sighted, then the rock of Gibraltar, and by this time ma-dam spoke and acted asi though tie pea were her native element. She and Captain Brown appeared to command the yacht, and with the prospect ol being- speedily released from her un< pleasant position Madge found herself enjoying the trip. "We leave M'sieur Dorman when we come to Malta," said madam. "He is so reckless a man, and yet so tender at the heart. He grieve to me thai yon avoid him. Why? Is he not generous? Is he not rich? Ma foi, theite are some that would en-vay you, my chaile." "I do not wish to discuss the subi iect. Madam Duval," replied Madge,

coldly. "I have been very badly treated, and am only desirous of reaching :my home." i v 'So angry is this sweet one," laughed madam, addressing1 the air. "So wilful and eager to be gone. But is it not to bo soon? Yes, at Malta wa leave this sheep, look you." Whether madam was speaking tha truth, or giving this promise to appease her companion, matters not, for an interruption to the Yarra's voyage was at hand which none of those on board had anticipated. Her destination had been changed for some reason that Madge was not allowed to lenow, Naples being freely spoken of as the port where the vessel would touch, and -with'a. favourable wind the yacht was being swiftly carried towards Italy. Hitherto nothing had occurred, save the unwelcome solicitation of Dorman, to mar the voyage; but one evening Captain Brown, watching the barometer, shook his head gravely. He and Dorman were in the little deck house busied over a chart, and the latter observed the captain's gesture. "Anything unusual, Brown?" he asked. f , "I don't like the glass doing- this," replied the other. "Why, you can al-

most see the index drop! We're going to have bad weather, Mr Dorman. I know these Mediterranean .storms, j Quick and sudden they are, and heavyenough to blow a ship out of water." Captain' Brown was.no false prophet, for before sun-down a bank of sulphury cloud was observed and the wind I which had been blowing gently all day suddenly lulled, whilst under foresail only the "Yarra" dipped along, bobbing to the short, curling waves, that, although as yet there wasnowind felt, seemed rising angrier and angrier each lightning. Andthenamidlightning and thunder, the storm broke over the yacht, bringing the foretop to deck in a tangle of rigging a>nd laying the vessel on its beam ends. Released from some of. her top hamper, however, the yacht righted herself gallantly and drove through the water her decks a-wash, and of her boats only one remaining uninjured. All that skill and courage could do was done promptly, but for some time the Yarra wasl in the greatest peril. The green waves came inboard, and went in a swirling torrent from stem

to stern, clearing everything1 from the deck that was not made fast and pouring in cascades down the companion into the saloon, flooding it almost knee deep. Enveloped in pitchy darkness the yacht plunged and reared, testing every timber in her. To describe Madam Duval's condition would be impossible. She screamed until her throat was too dry to scream any more, but fright prevented her from being ill, and standins- on the saloon seat, holding1 with a

convulsive grip to the lamp fittings at the side, she invoked all the saints in the calendar, and at each fresh cascade which came hissing and leaping down the companion way, she gave a jump to escape the inundation. Madge was on the couch opposite her, and in total darkness they remained thus, whilst the Yarra. driven out of her course, plunged onward through the raging sea. Morning broke at last, and Captain Brown, who had saved" his ship from foundering, put his head in at the door and splashed through the saloon. "We've had the worst of it, ladies,",he said in .a gruff voice. "You've had a gay time, but ifc was better than going to Davy Jones' locker. We'll clear tho saloon first thing." "Mon Dieu! angelic Captain Brown," cried' Madam, who was a more deplor-able-looking wreck than the "Yarra" itself. "When is it that we arrive- to Naples?" and lie gave her a snappy answer. . ~.., . •

"We've got to find Naples first," he replied. "We're, somewhere off the island of Sardinia, Mam, if you've evei heard of such a place, and the Lord only knows how we're going 'to refit the craft." "Sardinia!" repeated Madam. "Parbleu! How Wonderful is this! Oh what a night I pass through." , ■ "You ought to be thankful that it wasn't worse," said the captain crossly. "It's bad enough though, .for w.eve carried: away our steering gear, and are drifting." "Dreefting?" screamed Madam. "How mean that strange word; Captain?". .-,-,• "It means that I can't steer the vessel, and the current is setting on shore, fast," was the reply. "That's enough for me to say, I suppose? I'll lend you ladies a hand on deck, whilst the saloon's being swabbed out." With, the captain's aid Madam was was conveyed up the companion, and tfadge followed her to where, in the lee of the partially destroyed deckhouse, they .were sheltered from the wind which was blowing heavily still. The storm had passed, however, but the trim "Yarra" presented a woeful picture with her broken mast and tangled rigging. The greatest harm done her was the smashing of her tiller chains and wheel, and until a temporary steering gear could be rigged, the yacht was in danger. Lurching' along at the mercy of the sea, she drove past the Strait of Bonafaciq, and along the coast until at length the town of Aleria was sighted. The sea was rapidly calming and all fear of danger was over by this time, but

Madam Duval was to be neither appeased nor comforted. Having recovj creel froni the deadly fright occasioned by the storm, she had also recoverjed the full use of her tongue, and Captain Brown at last lost patience with ] her. ; In consultation- with Mr Dorman, who had taken his full share of the work of saving the yacht^ Captain , Brown expressed himself tersely and with effect. "X can do with most things," he said, i "that come in a seaman's way; such as :we've just had. Mr Dorman, but a woman screeching in your ears all day long, I can't abide. That French party hinders work, so with your permission I'll send her ashore at Aleria. The ship isn't so comfortable as to make her sorry to go, and she can join you again when we're refitted. | Dorman said he would consider the idea, and walked aft to where Madam was seated wrapped in a thick shawl. Madge was standing at some little distance, with her gaze on the shore, and he saw that she was unprotected from the wind. Taking off. his heavy overcoat he handed it to her, telling her to put it over her shoulders. It was the first time that he had spoken to her for some days, and she repulsed him, saying she was not cold. "I mean this, as T mean all that I do," he answered irritably, "in the sincerest kindness. Am I never to receive any reward?" . "Yes. Some day," replied Madge, and Dick's face seemed to rise up before her, as Dorman turned away, speaking in an undertone to Madam, who after he had left her, got up quickly and called to Madge. "We leave this miserable sheep this day, my chaile," she said joyfully. "Oh the so beautiful land that we step again!" "What is the name of the land I can see over there?" asked Madge. "The captain call this place Cor- I seeca," said Madam. "Is it not a '■■ strange country? Yet it is dry and one need have no longer the fear of being killed." The prospect of at last escaping from the yacht, gave Madge as much | pleasure as Madam had exhibited, and in a"short time the one boat that was , still serviceable had been lowered. The j "Yarra" was to be taken on to the next port, where she would be repair--2d and made ready for sea again, but j what Dorman's directions to Madam Duval had been, only those two knew, fhen after some difficulty Madam was jot into the boat with Madge and j *owed ashore, reaching v the quay at \leria without any mishap. There was a little knot of boatmen standing on the quay as Madam and ;ier companion landed, and one of the nen uttered an exclamation of surprise. Madam's sharp eyes had ob-'j served him also and a look of appre-, lension came into1 them. Seiiding

Madge on, she lingered a moment, and the boatman accosted her. "The report went about that you were dead, Celeste," he said, speaking in the native language, and Madam answered in the same. "Hush," she whispered. "Do not speak my name, Marco. 1 am content to be thought dead. Is Nasone alive? Are there many left who will remember..mc?" "^es," he answered. "How many years is it since you and he were lovers, Celeste?" and he laughed. "You

are going" to Bastia perhaps." ,"I take this< English girl, there. Her name is Selby." -' '■' .•. ■. j "Then we may meet there," said Maroo. "I am going to Bastia also tomorrow." There was no time to speak further. Madge had turned, waiting for her, and she hurried forward, her companion asking her if she were ill. For Madam's face was ashen, and she was trembling. . . "111, ask yoti? Peste—who would be well, who has suffered as I? Mad chaile,'. answered Madam. "Allons, we go to Bastia, understand you?" (To be Continued.)