A Friendless Millionaire

Taranaki Daily News, 15 August 1933, Page 11

A Friendless Millionaire

(By .H. Lawrence Phillips)

CHAPTER XII (continued).

*'You are right -on the bull's-eye first shot."

“But I don't see my way yet. How does this answer the question?” “Suppose Mark Judwood Is the real name of William Holmes?” That staggered the girl, and «he collapsed into her chair again. , “Gee-whizz!” she said faintly “What are you telling me?” “I don’t see that we can arrive at any other conclusion. All the attempts made upon me have been made by men under the influence of Holmes, and •only since I came to Join the Motane. Among Holmes’ possessions is a book which bears the name of the man who benefits by my death. Put two ana two together and they make a pretty black four.” "But Mr Holmes, that Is eo nice and friendly!” ' “Just so. It Is difficult to believe that he is the treacherous scoundrel that we suspect him to be; but when a man makes up his mind to do wrong he doesn’t mind acting the hypocrite to gain his ends, and I will admit that Holmes has enacted the part admirably.” “And I should like to wring hh neck,” muttered William vindictively “But what can we do?” cried Una, while she nodded approval of Ranger’s remark. "I have told you all this, for It is necessary to discuss what measures are to be taken for your safety, ano 'we must hold a council -of war.” "I think that the first thing to bs 'done, sir. If I may suggest It, Is to barricade doors and windows, and "have our discussion in the shelter oi :the house; and if you don’t mind, sir. and If Miss Malcolm is not afraid of such things, I will get our rifles oul and ready In case they are needed." . William’s manner suggested directions for a dinner party, and the adrice of a well-trained butler as to arrangements. Una bubbled over, whethey at his manner or at the hint thaf • she might be afraid of lethal weapons •I don’t know.” ' "I am as good with a revolver af my brothers are, and they are prett] good, William, so trot along your Ironmongery.” We all went In, and proceeded ti bolt and bar windows and door. I wai pleased to find that the fasteningi were good, and commented upon this “I expect Mr Holmes, living alone, jaw to that. He must be at the Eprcy. of the natives mpst of the he,” said Una. William said nothing, but went on rilently with his work. He was abouf lo close thekdoor leading to the verandah when I objetced. “Don’t do that. It will be too close and etuffy. Leave It open and we ean keep an eye on It.” '■ So. it was left open, and William went into our room and came back with a couple of rifles and a bag of cartridges: we both had revolvers, ; which we had taken to carrying with 'us recently. ' . ’’Haven't you one for me, William?'* asked Una; and William, after departing again, returned wrm another revolver.

“Did you buy an arsenal In ’Frisco, William?” I chaffed.

“No, sir, but these may prove useful.”

“All this Is very well, but how about food?" “We have the rest of the stuff we stocked -on the Motane in the house, and the pantry is Just outside. I think perhaps we could get what’s there indoors.”

“You think of everything l , William; you are a model man. The question of water has occupied your mind, I daresay.” ’ “There aro three or four cases of soda-water in the house, and there Is a filter which has been filled recently.” “Excellent, William. Now come and sit down facing the door, not removing your eyes from it. and we will discuss what is to be done next—or rather, I will outline a plan which I’ve been considering.”

So we seated ourselves, Ranger, as I asked, opposite the door, putting a clip of cartridges into his rille, and Into one which he handed to me. Una, disdaining assistance, began loading her weapon herself, remarking—- " Now then, get it Off your chest. What do you propose to do? "My plan is a very simple one. As they seem out for my blood, I propose taking some weapons and provisions and making for the high ground and bush behind, and hiding there until the storm blows over. Then, in the event of visitors coming, you can say that I am not at home, and it’s very unlikely that they will mterfere with you." "Don’t be a silly ass." said Una rudely and angrily. “If you can’t think bf anything better than that, you had better shut up and hold your tongue." "I could not think of your going off like that alone, sir,” observed William in his most respectful tones, with his eyes steadily fixed on the door. “I think we should keep together."

“Of course any duffer can see that,” was Una’s decisive comment. I addressed myself to Wiliam. “You see the benefit of my plan is this. If all goes well I shall draw the gang after me, and Miss Malcolm will be safe —at least, much safer than if with me." William shook his head steadily, but his eyes remained fixed Immovably on the door; how he managed it I don’t know. "You can leave Miss Malcolm out of your consideration,” answered that young lady tartly. “I thought there was some silly idea like that in your noodle."

“But, my dear girl, we must think ■of you," I urged. “You can think of me as much as you like, but if that’s all you can do it’s not up to much. Don’t you see that we are all in the soup together, and if they knock you on the head, they’ll proceed to knock us on the head also.” "I expect the young lady thinks that they won’t want to leave wit- ; nesses about, sir,” chimed in William, “and I am of her opinion, sir. I think whatever we do we must stick together." This was a. trash,,. aalßt. of view

which I 'had not considered, and ruminated’ upon It.

“It seems to me that we had better sit tight here and see what happens,” said Una, following up her advantage.

“That is Just what Holmes wishes,” I replied impatiently, "and lies behind his repeated Injunctions to regain Indoors. Whatever we do, we . tnust get out of this place as quickly is possible.” “That’s all very well, but where shall we go?" “We can’t do much without a boat, and they have been careful to remove such a temptation out of the way.” ’ “I am not quite sure that we could not And a boat, sir," broke In William, still with fixed gaze. "Then I wish you’d tell us how it Is to be done. If you’ve got one about you, you had better produce It."

Heedless of my attempted sarcasm and Una’s titter that followed it, the patient William went on. “If you remember, sir, there were only three men in the smaller boat." “Quite so, William; we remarked on the fact at the time. But what do you infer from that fact?” "That they were not taking the boat far, sir. Indeed, they probably “William!’’ I roared with delight, “you are invaluable; wherever did you get all your brains from? Of course if she was to go all the way she would have had a full crew. I never thought of that. I wonder if we could come across her.” “I don’t imagine that she’s far oft the pCtfnt, then,” remarked Una. “It they were leaving her far behind they wouldn't be troubled to take her too for you. It’s all taking ghape. Now, why were they at the trouble of taking the boat ashore, eh?" They both shook their heads, but William still with fixed gaze. “Because, my dear girl, they wished to prevent communication between the ship and shore,” I exclaimed triumphantly. “Yes?” Una Inquired ingly“The only two left on board are the cook and the mate. The cook we can rule out; the Than that they want to keep for us is the mate. And why?” “Yes, yes?” said Una, clapping her hands together excitedly. “Because the mate is not falling In with their plans, and might warn us. How is that for clear reasoning?" "Quite good for a beginner, but you must continue; how does it bear on our situation, and what must we do?” “Obviously we must get In touch with the mate.” “And that brings us back to the boat again." “Yes. ' We must go for that first, and if we can find it, board the schooner and have a talk with Benton.” “You need not go on board to talk to Mr Benton; I think he is landing now,” reported Ranger. We rushed to the doorway in spite of William’s warning, cry, “Careful, err I” and sure enough there was a man crawling from the water to the beach. I grabbed my glasses and focussed them on him; there was no mistake, it was Benton. CHAPTER XIII. Th® Rflato’B Story, AH excitement we watched the piate struggle ashore and drop, seemingly exhausted, on the beach. He lay still and motionless for some time, and at last, unable to stand It any longer, I declared my intention to go down to his assltsanoe. "I can’t let the man die there for want of help, so, Ranger, stay here with Miss Malcolm, and be ready to shut and bar the door if necessary.” William looked his objections, and Una voiced hers.

“You don’t go alone,” she said. “Nonsense. There’s no danger, and the poor fellow needs hedp. Do as you are told for once." “It’s nonsense. We agreed Just now to keep together, so we’ll all go or none," she declared firmly. I resigned myself to •circumstances (for while we were talking the man might die), so William and I shouldered our rifles, and all three marched, keeping a careful look-out, down to the beach. We found Benton alive, but he had fainted •with exhaustion. I felt ths man’s heart and found the heat painfully feeble. “You will have to hurry back to the house and lay your hands on some stimulant, if you can, William. Keep a careful look-out as you go, and don’t be long about it.” He looked dubious and as loath to do as I ordered, but went on bls errand at list.

While he was gone, Una and I set about chafing Benton’s wrists, and doing all that we could think of to recover him. I was feeling ’his pulse and saying to Una that I thought It was feeling stronger, when hl? one eye slowly opened. “What’s up?" he murmured feebly. “You shall tell us later, but keep quiet now for a moment or so. I’ve sent for some brandy.. Una, fetch some of those plantain leaves; we must shade his head from this strong sun.”

She moved off to do this, and I saw Ranger hurrying down the road, carrying a bottle in one hand and his rifle in the other. Una had reached the bushes to get the leaves when she gave a slight scream and made a sudden grab, crying—- “ Here. Rupert, lend a hand." I dashed across the beach, and Ranger came speeding along, but we were tho late. There was a momentary struggle, and then the exclamation in disappointed tones of Una — “Oh! he’s gone." "Who has gone?” I called. “The man I grabbed: he was spying on us, and, watching William coming, didn’t spot me until I got hold of him.”

“Wfto was it?” "I can’t say for certain, but I fancy it was the cook." she replied. "I wish I could have helOitn. .until vau canaa.

but he was slippery as an eel.”

•» ’’Events were crowding one upon another and no mistake! "Ranger and I must help the mate, but lust keep your eyes open, and at the lea c t movement of the bushes fire. You won’t feel nervous, will you?" 1 aS "You n wouldn’t ask that If you knew how much I was enjoying the little excjtemeot. Be off to the mate,”

iSa *