Adventure, August 1917 — page 124: what you’re looking at

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

122 now? My word, you plenty long time sick. Kapitani he say you drink this, bimeby he come.” Loudon shook his head. “Put it down,” he said. Billy-Boy? At sea?” “We go along Hapai way.”’ There was a step outside and the kanaka vanished as Henderson entered the cabin, followed by Brewster. “‘Tak’ the drink, laddie,”’ said the skipper. “There’s nothing wrang wi’ it. I'll split it wi’ ye if ye like. It'll brace ye up a bit whiles we talk turkey to ye.” As Loudon refused, Henderson took up the ricky and drained it. “Ther’s no fule like a young fule,” he said. “I like ye and I’ve put in a strong word for ye this mornin’ but ye’re hot-heidéd and too swift to mix in wi’ the affairs o’ others. Mr. Brewster here wants a word wi’ ye.” “‘The skipper is right, Loudon. You’ve butted into our concerns and now you’ve got to suffer the consequences. In the first place you listened through that open sky- light when we were talking with Toruki and then you get soft over a pretty face and blab out all you know. You’ve had some hand in the disappearance of Tomi and you’ve generally queered our game. “Tf you had had sense enough to keep your mouth shut you might have spent a few weeks on the island shooting and no harm to you. Now you know too much and you'll not interfere with us again. “We aren’t through with Hapai and our plans will go along till we get what we want. “One thing we want is your cabin for the accommodation of lady guests. That brings you in Mac’s cabin and makes you more of a nuisance than ever. I’ve got my own ideas as to what to do with nuisances but the skipper here is tender-hearted. So you stay in this cabin and keep quiet. “First time you start anything we'll wrap you up so you can’t stir. Later on we'll put you ashore on a nice, quiet little atoll and leave you to think it over. If you behave yourself we might leave you some company. I ain’t quite made up my mind about that. Depends upon how good that company turns out to be,”’ he grinned. Loudon knew what he meant. He was to be marooned, if their plans worked out, and, with him, the girl and her aunt, unless the former proved complacent enough to tolerate Brewster’s attentions. =) ‘“‘Where are we, Adventure But how were they going to carry out their schemes with Rotorua against them? . The thought leaped in answer. Toruki was the next in line of succession. Toruki hated the king all the more since he had been humiliated by him. He had fled to the windward side of the island with those who followed him and believed in his spiritual supremacy as tindalo. Edler had deftly questioned the king as to the number of rifles and cartridges he possessed. He had found out where Toruki had gone—to Rapanui. Toruki hated the white women. The Hawks and Henderson were going to offer their services to Toruki to foment a rebellion that would set him on the throne and give them the money in the commissioner’s safe and Rotorua’s big pearl. As for the two Englishwomen, if Rotorua should be taken unawares and conquered, their fate would lie between Toruki and Brewster. His jaw set as he worked out the crafty scheme while his eyes looked un- bhnkingly into Brewster’s. Thenhe sensed that the latter was talking. “Well, what do you say? Tell us mere the cash is, We'll find out anyhow but we may be pressed for time. Come through and things’ll be a lot easier for you. I'll send back after you, for one thing.” Loudon prayed silently that the girl had taken his advice and buried the money and the pearls. Still that might only make it worse for them. ‘Where is it?” asked Brewster impa- tiently. “Before you find out from me, Brewster,” said Loudon, “‘you’ll have arrived in a place where they have been expecting you and your blackguard companions for a long time.” The gambler thrust a threatening face into the bunk. “The you say.” “Exactly that.” He laughed at his inquisitor. Brewster brutally cuffed him about the face and swung out of the cabin. Henderson lingered. “YVe’re a bit daft yet wi’ the chloral,” he said. ‘‘Ye’ll come to your senses after a while. I’m not for harsh measures, Mr. Loudon, but it’ll no pay ye to be stubborn. - i’ this affair. Use your brains to save tyour skin whiles it’s sound.”’ The door slammed and was fastened from cComiclaook CO 5}