Page:MacGrath--The luck of the Irish.djvu/264

 watch out for her. She'll report there the moment she learns she's missed the boat."

"Can't I make you understand? She's been abducted! Haven't I told you the whole story?"

"I'm sorry, but I can't turn back. Write your wireless. Tell the consul-general to notify the police. If your fears have any real grounds, the police dragnet will bring out the facts. Keep your head. Lots of people miss boats, and nothing serious happens. Besides, I've traveled too many seas not to know a gentleman when I see him. You've misjudged this man Camden."

"Hell! didn't he fool me for weeks? Can't you speak the first ship going west and let me tranship?" William begged.

"I could do that; but we'll meet no steamer going west. We'll make Hong-Kong on Wednesday morning, though, and you can pick up the German-Lloyder which is scheduled to leave that same night. A matter of ten days, and you'll be in Singapore yourself."

"Ten days! She may be dead or … or worse! My God, or worse! They'll be off with her in that yacht!"

"Mention it in the wireless. Come, I'll go with you. I'll do everything I humanly can for you, except turn back."

"Poor, love-lorn devil!" thought the captain. The girl was all right. Men weren't such fools as to pursue in this fashion. Still, it was natural that, being deeply in love, William should imagine all these horrible calamities. The girl was prob-