The Island School — page 53: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

£0 Eveline, looking at Jim. ‘“ You have plenty of time - to go up and back again, and a little exercise will do you good.” : He, in his way, loved his daughter, and a suggestion from her was always enough. “Very well, Eveline dear,” he said, “‘if you think I want a little exercise I will take it.” Accompanied by Jim and Morse the schoolmaster crossed the bridge, but, instead of going up to the battlements, Jim halted in the covered way just beyond the old portcullis. “I am sorry to disturb you, sir,” said Jim, “ but something of the utmost importance has happened.” “What new terror have you to tell me, Gordon ?” exclaimed Mr. Farrell. “ Another murder ?” “No, sir. Still, it is serious. The mail-bags have deen stolen !” “ 'The—mail-bags—stolen ?” “Yes, sir. Chorker was stopped at sea, and the bags were taken from him.” Jim told the rest of the story, which the school- master listened to with a troubled face. The news was very Serious. “T wrote for assistance,” he murmured, more to himself than to the boys, “and now it will be im- possible to get it.” “You forget the ‘launch, sir,” said Jim, eagerly. * Changeling can get it ready for sea in two hours. She would make the run to Gibraltar in a day and a night, for she is a speedy little craft. One of us, or more, say Morse and myself, could visit the governor of Gibraltar and get the help you want.” ** You are right, Gordon,” said Mr. Farrell; “ that is the advice of a clear-headed boy.” “And might I advise for the thing to be done quietly P” said Morse. ‘Changeling is here on the battlements. A word will send him off to look to the launch.” They left the schoolmaster pacing to and fro, weighins the pros and cons of the situation, which was certainly serious. He believed that he knew more about this enemy that was harassing him, and to an extent he did. But his knowledge of Espardo Reonardo was not that possessed by Jim and Morse, and comparing of notes might have been advantageous to both. But it was not done. The schoolmaster kept his knowledge to himself, and naturally the boys did not like to ask to be confided in by their senior. “He is of no more good in an emergency,” said Jim, as he scaled the staircase leading to the battle- ments of the castle, “than a new-born baby. He is the Napoleon of incompetence.” He found the men above in the full enjoyment of their tobacco and the view before them. It certainly was magnificent. They, too, had seen the felucca THE ISLAND a SCHOOL. returning, and asked Jim why Old Chorker had been so long at sea. “Got imto a mess with the canvas,” lightly ex- plained Jim; “but he is allright now. Rob, I want you to help below.” “All right,” said Rob. “Whatisit? To cut the bread-and-butter ? I ain’t no hand at cutting it thin. All my life ’'ve been given to cutting it in chunks.” “It is not the bread-and-butter,” said Jim, “ but something you can do to perfection.” He turned away and descended the stairs, followed by Rob Changeling. | Not a word was said until they were below. By that time the schoolmaster had rejoined his wife and Eveline. “ Rob,” said Jim, ‘you must get the launch ready for sea,” ‘““Good heavens! what for ?” “Something is wrong,” said Jim. ‘“ Morse and myself will go with you—to Gibraltar. Now get. off quietly, and in ten minutes I'll follow you.” “T wish, Master Gordon, you would let me know what’s up.” “Well, Chorker’s lost the mail-bags, and we have | to report it and the murder of Mr. Stebbing at Gib- raltar.” “T begin to think,” said Rob, “ that it was time we was off this ’ere island, unless we have a change of governors. Why! that Mr. Farrell is nobody—jJest nobody—when there is anything gone wrong.” “ All right, Rob, we know that,” said Jim. ‘ Now away you go. I won’t be many minutes after you.” Rob disappeared, and Jim, strolling out after him, lingered about in a casual sort of way for ten minutes or so, and then taking advantage of a favourable opportunity, followed. Half-way down the path he found Morse awe him, and they descended together. There was not the least doubt in the minds of either of who the © robber of the mail-bags was. It was pretty certain that it was done by the same hands that killed the undermaster. They were now near the level ground, where they could see the launch lying at anchor. To their sur- prise, they saw Rob on board, violently gesticulating to them. “ Something else gone wrong,” muttered Jim. They ran down to the shore, and jumping into a small. boat, pulled up to the side of the launch. Rob Changeling, leaning over the side, with the perspiration bursting from his forehead, said, hoarsely : “We can’t steam to-night, nor to-morrow, nor the next day !” “ Why not ?” exclaimed Jim, aghast. “Somebody come aboard,” explained Rob—“I reckon it was last night, when we were all asleep— 000 MIC (@{ 0) CS Co mn