BETWEEN THE TIDES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20419, 22 November 1929, Page 20

BETWEEN THE TIDES.

BY JESSE TEMPLETON. ,

" CHAPTER XXX.—(Continued.) "With an inarticulate cry lie caught Nacline in bis arms and kissed her until sue almost swooned. It was full fifteen minutes before he remembered that certain duties . called him. . . ■ " I must: ring up the police to coma and take that scoundel away," lie said: " Now i almost feel like being a cpwafd," she sighed. " Ho is bound to tell them." , ~ „ , Ox course.' But I wan t you myself until—until wo reach England." "" I am afraid it will bo impossible. " Then I shall stay here—wherever you l " God bless you! Come, it grows a littio - cold." . • . , ... He led her inside and she sat down w hilo 4 went to the telephone. In afew seconds he was talking 0 Ae police and elling them briefly what i:ad happened. But Ciipps had not been idle. While, they had talked of love he had made use of the pieces of broken bottle which lay about the floor. When Farrant was about to hang up the ' receiver, Cripps' bonds slipped from him ■Ho made an amazingly agile leap at • Farrant and tripped him neatly. Then ho broke through the outer door into the night. ••Ned! Ned!" „ ■ ... Farrant picked himself up and nibbed ' his knee. " I can't lose him now, lie said You must stay until the police come. they won't be a few minutes in a car. Giving her a s\\yift kiss, he rushed, out of the place. The whole landscape was clearlv illuminated by the full moon, and he saw Cripps making across the end ot the garden. Near the harbour. Cripps got ;n\ a> successfully. Farrant swore under his breath, but- resolved to make the quay since he was convinced that Cripps intended to put to sea in somo craft. Running between the warehouses, he at length reached the quay. There were a number of men hanging pAjout, but no sign of the man ho sought. Making towards the southern end, he saw a big motor boat pounding towards the bar.' The man at the wheel was indistinct, but he knew it was Cripps by tne curious' hang on the long head. _ Moored away from the bigger ships were a, crowd of smaller craft, ranging from rowing-boats to steam tugs. Among them he saw a fine motor boat —a low lying thing with " speed" written all over it. Ten seconds later lie was steering it through the shipping, while two men were running along the quay raising an alarm. By the way the thing was running, lie judged it would take an aeroplane to . ~~ overtake him. Once out of harbour lie saw Cripps' boat about two miles ahead, and thanked the moon for her kindly aid. R,-r-r-r-r! The speed began to increase as he opened the tlirottlo wider. Fifteen knots, twenty, twenty-ono, two, three, four! The cngino was "all out now, •and two- jets of water were flung high by the sharp hows. He gasped as he sudda~~ missed a big buoy. But now it v ,pen- sea all the way, and the issuo depenujd entirely upon the speeds of the two craft-. ", - He thought he saw Cripps' object. Less than a hundred miles away was the Gondola. Cripps would know its course within a mile. If once he made that ship, his chance of escaping justice was pretty good. ' Farrant swore that that should not happen if there was the minutest possibility of preventing it. The engine was now running beautifully. 4 Staring ahead, he came to the conclusion that he was gaining slightly. Little by little he continued to overhaul % the leading ' boat. Soon-'ho was able to see Cripps distinctly, for every few minutes the sallow .moonlit face was turned toward liim. He dreaded that his quarry might possess a firearm, in which case capture seemed almost impossible. But when lie was within a hundred yards and 110. shot was fired, this possibility faded. He saw Cripps tinkering with the controls—striving to coax another half-knct ' from the powerful engine. But the distance still lessened, until only a few yards separated them. Suddenly Cripps "put the tiller over and dived away to the left, Farrant followed suit, leaving a great curve of foam in his wake. Again he came up close and Cripps repeated his former tactics. For half an hour this .'dangerous game was carried on, until Farrant realised that his petrol was running fcut. Something had to done immediately or it would be too late. With his boat rocking dangerously in the wash of Cripps' craft he drove right across *his bows. Above the roar of the engines he heard a savage curse awl saw Cripps endeavouring to avoid a collision. • ' By expert seamanship he avoided it. but the one boat came within a foot of the other. Farrant took a chance, and jumped. He landed plump in the centre of Cripps' boat. Cripps let go the wheel and dived for a weapon. His long fingers found a big spanner, and swung it above his head. Farrant'wriggled like an eel. and escaped annihilation by a few inches. Taken off his balance by the momentum, Cripps fell heavily. The next moment the two men were clasped in each other's arms. In dead silence they fought for the mastery, and they were' very equally _ matched. There were no rules or regulations about this fight—no quarter. ■ Farrant. in all his youth and health, found his hands more than full, for Cripps saw in his mind's eye the gallows. More- • over, lie hated his opponent with all the strength of his animal nature. He bit, kicked and tore at him, even laughed in hysterical fashion, when the balance at •;■■■ last swung in his direction. He had Farrant half over the side and tho boat was canted at a dangerous angle under their combined weights. .' '"Got you—you swine!" he hissed. But he spoke too soon, for the side "dipped a few inches and the eager water streamed into it, With a great splash the . two men went overboard. _ Farrant found his arms pinned to his side as he vent down and down into the depths. He.hit out at Cripps, but the latter still held on. Then he got his knee into the ,■ other's stomach, and in few seconds the iron grip was released. Ho shot to the surface and filled his lungs with air. But the sinister form of Cripps arose within a yard of hiin. He was gasping / for breath and his eyes were bulging. p " We're— going together!" he gasped. ' Together!" Farrant tried to avoid the clutching hand, but failed to clo so. Once more he was clutched in a death-grip, and before they sank he saw Ui6 develish grin of triumph in Cripps' eyes. He evidently meant what he said. They should go together, " over tho sea marges to the mysterious beyond. After a brief struggle he came to the conclusion that it was useless, for Cripps Was hanging on with all the terrible desperation of a drowning man. His lungs began-to ache and his brain became dull. ■All the past came up before him as out of a mist. Again he was at school, play- •„ ing cricket in the old fields, rowing on the river in the college "eight." Then Nadine crept into it—Nadinu with all .her alluring charm and beauty. They '/ere living .again on that small island like Adam and Eve. Fear had vanished completely, and a strange calm, settled on him. Yet sub-consciously he was fighting still, not with his hands but with his will; The slackening of that would mean tlie end. Somehow lie knew that, and kept his mouth shut, though his lungs .were nigli to bursting. Then light—a light in the darkness of his consciousness—came, tho knowledge that the grip round his waist !- and neck was no longer tight. Ho made a feeble effort and found no resistance. ,i' .Like a cork ho shot to the surface and ■opened his mouth like a gaping goldV. fish..,. The stars were twinkling high •A-..-. above 'hun, and his breath was coming and-going like the exhaust of a steam car. . 110 lay there on his back for a long time, ' .moving his hands slightly to keep him ; 4 afloat. . iMI-:'-,"'' At last breathing became easier. He turaed his head and saw the boat which

A THRILLING STORY OF LOVE, CRIME AND INTRIGUE. (COPYRIGHT.)

lie had taken, at rest on the sea barely half-a mile away. Ho believed ho could roach it with an * effort,'. . Ultimately ho got' there and spent a few minutes ciinfibing over tho side. Ho tried to start tho engine, but found that the last drop of petrol had been used up. Thoro wore two long oars inside. Ho .took one and paddled tho .'boat, .toward • the spot where. the struggle had taken place. Alter rowing about for. nearly an hour ho found what ho wanted—the bloated body of Cripps, lying face downwards on the surface, ore it r>ai)k for ever. Ho managed to.g6t it aboard, and after a few minutes of artificial respiration realised,, that it was'.useless. Tbo sea had robbed the gallows.'"" . CHAPTER XXXI ■OX TJIE BRINK. When 'Farrant had dashed after Cripps, Nadine sat and wrung her hands-in despair Her heart was not in this pursuit. Know ing the cunning of Cripps, ■ sho foresaw tho possibility of his striking a last deadly blow at -the man ho hated. Arid this when but a few minutes bofore sho had.listened to a revelation that had lifted hor into an earthly Paradise, despito s tho price that must yet bo paid. /" f \ Tho police seemed to taka-an uncommonly long time in getting "to the- bungalow, but at last they came—three' of them. She heard tho noise of tho car; and ran down the garden to .inform, rthem of what had taken plac& ; 1 " Did you see wliicSlv way they went?" asked", tho ■ sergeant. .f>,; v " 9 " No.. It was all so sudden. But I am certain Cripps—the mrin - yon know as Stoneman—will make for the harbour. Oh please, hurry!"/ ~ "Was this the man who kidnapped you ? " Never mind , He has far bigger crimes, on bis conscience than that" You had: better como witli us, and we will drop you at? the hotel," suggested the sergeant. Yes—jes." : '"V- . • . She entered the car and .. was whirled along to.the Victoria. To avoid being seen by the guests in lier present insufficient garb sho - entered tho place by a backstaircase, and got the. astonished chambermaid to admit- her, to her room. After a bath she dressed and went downstairs. Hungry as she was, slio had no desire to eat Her whole brain was aching-for news of Ned. .V- . ■ Midnight camo and tho reception rooms emptied themselves'. Save for Mew bridge parties, she was the only person loft. Unable to bear the strain any •longef, she went to tho telephone and rang up tho police. They informed her that they had; no information to give her at the moment. The rest of the night was spent in her room. She sat by the window all the time, waiting for the ddwnr It was nearly sixo'clock in the morning when there: came a rap on the door. Catching her breath, she opened it and uttered a wild little cry. to see Farrant standing there. "You—you! Oh, thank God!" She put her arm's round his neck and kissed hjm/laughing as sho did so. "Come in,"she begged. "I want to know what baa? happened;" ' ' Looking very fatigued, ho entered apd sat do\yn. She noticed there was a great bruise on L is brow, and that one of his fingers was bound up.' "You lost-him , " No. He got away in a motor-boat and I. followed. We met miles out to sea, and we fought it out,"first in the boat and afterwards in .tile.sea. > , P.< " "He tried to drown me,-but met-that end hiipssblf. I made'the boat and searched for his body. He was dead when I picked hinv up.V' ' 'i, ,''.'- ;. i. TL. V " Dead!" . .>*. * „ , ,V, " Yes. I had n<?i.petrol 'left to enable ma to get back, 'and started to row. But the police discovered that: ;I had stolon a boat. They came; out,on another, craft. ' and found roe in tl>e early hours. I ve spent some time making' a i statement. . " You told them everything V " Everything that matters to them. They , qro sending but instructions to have the Gondola'apprehended at the first port she calls at; There will be an inquiry,. 1 suppose—later.'.' " Will it prevent us from sailing: " I think not. Skinner will give them a good run for their money yet. But they wiii get him in tho end." ; "And what about—you?" "I told .them nothing, beyond that I was a stowaway. I shall give myself up in England. It didn't seem fair that they should rob us of the last few weeks we shall have together for—for a long time. Her/ eyes grew a trifle sad at this,-but ho caught her arm and held her close to k l "' Let us make the most of them, Nadine At least wo "can feel relieved, to know that Cripps has met his end—that Onions and Rogers are avenged by the sea ltseli. We .ought to be able to face, tho future with cheerful faces.", " You are a brave man, Ned she said. "Far, far braver than I. Now this happiness has come, I am selfish. I don t want to loose you. I am unmoral. If you only gave me the slightest lead, I would sav !—let'US go and hide and defy the law, as we might easily do among these beautiful islands." • *■• - . " Adarn and Eve again. " Yes/It isn't fair that you should suffer for a mere accident. They don t know what I know. They will judge you in ignorance of what you are as if you weie no better than .any man who takes a life in a moment of, passion." (> " I shall'have: a fair trial. " But think Of the years iff youth—the wasted years! And we have revelled in wonderful sunshine all these months, and locked out love when if was waiting. "Why do you tempt me, Nadine. " Because I love you so much." ■«« It wouldn't do. Even if we could hide away, wo should never, find any real happiness, and you- would despiSo mo m your heart after a while for, running like a coward. - No, there is but one way, and we must take it. Had I faced the music in the first place, it would have been easier for me, yet I can't regret thatTirst folly, for by committing it met you. " That is true, and what wonderful things we have faced together • during these few months. I thought you wero a man without a heart." ' : " I was until I saw you. But now you must rest, for you look dog-tired. I m in the same stiito.' That scoundrel was as hard as nails right to the last.. There was no squealing—no repentance. _ All ho dosired was that I should po with Life breeds some strange creatures." _ "Yes, but God knows them all.; she said. ' - , 1 He left her a little later, and both lie and slio slept until' well in the, afternoon. When ho saw Iter again slio was clad, in a new dress which slio liad; bought, and looked not a bit tho worse for her terrible adventure. : , ■ ■. v.; . "I'm not going to think beyond tomorrow, Ned," sho said. " Nor I. Let us go and see if there is still a berth left on that boat" "If not, we will book'on, another. W" sail together or not at all." Farrant succeeded in.getting a berth, i and now only one day intervened before their departure. He interrogated the police and was informed that there was i nothing to prevent-his sailing, since the Gondola was still at large. He cave i them an English address and then went i for a walk with Nadine. I The next morning saw them aboard the i boat. Sho was a new ship of some eighteen thousand tons and .exceedingly ■ well equipped. It was Nadine's first" > experience of a big ocean liner, and: her . interest was tremendous,; After two days j out they made a number of .friends and life went on at high pitch. As NatliriP I had resolved, sho did not look beyond, tomorrow. But that was only true in the i daytime. When t ho dancing and gaiety ; were ended and she was in'- her tabin, . there fell the shadows of the future. N<"> , amount of will-power w'ould shut them i out. Each evening she ran a pencil through » the date on the small calondar, and it was i surprising how gnickly the pencil-marks

increased. There wero soon but six white spaces left before the date on which the ship was due to roach port. But now at least she had got past the stage ol temptress. She knew that Ned was right—hurt how it might. It took a bravo man to face tho cost when it might bo avoided by a comparatively small eff ° r Ncd," si 10 said one evening, "couldn't wo bo marriod in England before—beforo ?" " You'mean that?" "Yes." "I had been thinking of that, but I didn't care to suggest it. You would go to that length?" ' "Of course. You know I shall wait for you, and I would rather wait—as a Ho bugged her tightly, _ rendered momentarily speechless by this proof of her love and trust in him. " But there's your father,' he said. "Ho might object." ■ ■ " I think not. Even if he did, it would make no difference. My life is already shaped, and nothing in the world can alter it. Life without you would bo impossible—now." " Come and dance," he said. You have 1 made me wonderfully happy. They danced to the music of a band relayed by wireless from Now York. It seemed strange to hear tho Amorican announcements when they were so near England. ~ , " The mate told mo wo should dance to an English band to-morrow," said Nadine. . "Really! I think tho mate is far too interested in you," lie said in mocr. seriousness. " Don't be silly. Ho asked me to-day when you and t wero going to get married." ..

"How the duce !" " Peoplo are not blind, Ned. Only lovers are blind." So (he masquerade was kept up, each pretending he was quite unaware of the ponding sword. They talked together in a quiet part of the ship, reviving many things —the first .meeting, the many adventures, the warmth and colour of the south now left behind, but not one word about the prison gates they so clearly saw on their mental horizon. That night there was but one uncancelled date on the calendar before the big cross that marked the day of arrival. There was a perceptible bustle about the-ship next day. The only topic was England. At, last," she said. " Oh, not yet." ■ "Within twenty-four hours. I'm not going to cry or do anything silly. But I fust want to tell you that parting is going to bo a hundred times harder now, for I love you a hundred times as much as when we left Nassau." " Isn't that all that matters ?"

"It ought to be. Ned—you—if wo get safely ashore without your being—apprehended, you'll wait until we are married before you surrender yourself?" " Perhaps it will not be possible." But if it is ?" " Yes." "And—one week together after that!" "A honeymoon?" " Surely we are justified!" "You shall not be robbed of that if I can prevent it. But I shall resume my real name immediately upon landing. The rest will lie with the goddess of chance." .Shortly after dinner, when they were but two hundred miles from port, Nadine entered the lounge and sat down to wait for Farrant. A- man was tinkering with the wireless receiver, and as she sat there the big Daventry station came through at full strength. Sho heard Big Ben strike the hour of seven and then listened to the weather report; and a lot of quite uninteresting news. She turned her attention from it and picked up a magazine. But the wireless had not yet finished .with her. . Her interest was revived by * the announcement of a British boxer's seccess in Paris.

"After a. sensational fight _ lasting for thirteen rounds ' Slasher ' Williams won his fight against Arnaud Rolin in Paris this afternoon. It will be remembered that Williams was the pugilist who . some months ago made a miraculous recovery from an injury' after two doctors had pronounced life extinct,* and after thirty-six hours of unconsciousness."

The magazine fell from her fingers on to the flooi*. Her agitation was so great that for a few seconds she sat there utterly incapable of movement. When her faculties did function again, she ran out of the lounge toward Farrant's cabin., " Ned! Ned!" she called, thumping on thq door at the-same time.

He came out completejy dressed and was about to make a jesting remark when he realised that she was under the spell of some extraordinary emotion. "Why, Nadinfr ?" " Come up on deck! I—l can't breathe here."

"Aren't you well?" "No, I'm in a critical Condition. Hurry —Hurry! I want some fresh air." Once on deck, she led him to their favourite spot. The deck was practically deserted, for it was close upon the dinner hour.

" You'll feel better here," he said. "It was rather stuffy down there. Faint, I suppose 1" " Yen, faint with amazement and happiness."

" What are you saying ?" She pulled him close to her and looked into his questioning eyes.

"If it were possible that you could have a great wish fulfilled, what would it bo, 0 Man V she asked.

" You know." " I am asking you." " Then it would be that you I might never be parted for a single day." "Wonderful! I grant it." " Would to God you could!" he said solemnly. " But it is so. Ned, something wonderful has happened. It has swept me clean off my feet. The man you fought was called ' Slasher ' Williams, wasn't he ?" "Yes. But what 1" " Well, he is alive."

"Alive! Impossible!" " Nothing seems quite impossible in this world. You and I have been waiting for a miracle to happen—and it has ' Slasher' Williams is alive, and to-day fought atid beat a Frenchman. I have just heard it on the ' wireless.' " "Nadinc!" His hand shook as it touched hers. "Are you sure about this ?" " Positive." " But the paragraph in the newspaper !" Tbey were misled, ns was every one else, .Apparently the* blow you inflicted produced some strange kind of trance. WilKams recovered after thirty-six hours of unconsciousness. The announcer mentioned it as a matter of peculiar interest." " Theif it—it means !" " It means that you can enter England as a free man, that there need bo no separation. That you and I Oh, Ned, what a revelation! What a wonderful home-coming! Hug me tightly!" He carried out this request to the letter. Dinner had already commenced, but it was some time before they left the sheltered placo where they sat. To celebrate the occasion, Farrant—or rather Mackworth—ordered a bottle of champagne. *

"To the future!" ho said, holding up his glass. | Yes—to the future!" , "I, must cable to my firm in Egypt," ,< S i*rn * ' iav ® overstayed my leave." thc ,V grant you another month ?" They will if they know I am going to bo married. ' *

. . them that, Ned, and say you are bringing your wife-back with yo'u. !i " You mean that ?"

"Do you imagine I am going to let you sail alone? Wasn't it agreed that wo should never be separated ?" They clasped hands under the small table and laughed into each pther'a jqyes in their unspeakable happiness.. END.) . .