that had been playing with the edges of the awning and swaying one of the dangling blue slippers became suddenly freighted with song. It was a c

ts and

n their

in th

y fe

us a

us a

us a

our be

Sitting very still she listened eagerl

s and

lls an

rgs an

Cost

us a

us a

us a

our be

to the rail. Fifty feet away a large rowboat was approaching containing seven men, six of them r

rs and

t and

ld make

f cel

with curiosity. He made a quick movement with his baton and the singing instantly ce

hoy!" he cal

emanded Ardita cheerfully. "Is this the

ned round and grasped the ladder. Thereupon the leader left his position in the stern and before

to the pockets of her dress Ardita stared at him, speechless with astonishment. He was a young man with a scornful mouth and the bright blue eyes of a healthy baby set in a dar

son of a gun!"

each oth

urrender

ed Ardita. "Are you an idiot-or just

f you surrende

disdainfully. "Have you been drinking finge

man's voice expr

e yacht! Yo

moment as if consider

wly; "No, I won't get off the yac

darky at one end and a miniature mulatto of four feet nine at to other. They seemed to be uniformly dressed in some sort of blue costume ornamented with dust, mud, and ta

apping his own heels together crisply. "

took a quick step f

tie 'em up-all except the engineer. Bring him up

s-s

others to gather about him. Then after a short whispered c

"if you will swear on your honor as a flapper-which probably isn't worth much-that you'll keep that spoi

rwise

're going to s

tched his arms lazily. The corners of his mouth relaxed appreciatively as he looked round at the rich striped awning,

laimed that lemon-juice cleared his

sdained t

you'll have to make a clear de

e book and open

etty good. French, eh?" He stared at

N

s your

rna

nam

ta Fa

e insides of your mouth. You ought to break those nervous

us coolness, though she knew her hand was trembling a little; then she crossed over with her su

't got very much sense if you think you'll get far with it. My uncle

H

anxiety stamped there plainly in the fa

I don't mind going for a coupla hours' cruise. I'll even lend you that book so

hed sco

ged before I ever knew this yacht existed. If it hadn't been this

ded Ardita suddenly.

ided not to

n faintly co

s, as Curtis Carlyle and his Six Black Buddies l

re si

e we're fugitives from justice and if the reward offered for our captur

bags?" asked Ar

the present we'll cal