The Blue Grass Seminary Girls on the Water Part 11

Mabel was not frightened by the sight of the weapon, for she was not unacquainted with the use of firearms and had faced more than one dangerous situation; but as the man turned and faced her, she uttered a cry of amazement.

The man was Henry Bristow.

Bristow, who had not perceived that the room was occupied, turned at the sound of Mabel's voice, his revolver half raised. At sight of Mabel he dropped his arm, and removed his cap.

"Please pardon me for this intrusion," he said quietly. "I did not know the cabin was occupied nor whose it was. I just happened to see the door open, and I slipped in."

"What is the matter?" asked Mabel, who realized that something must be wrong.

"Oh, nothing," was the reply.

Before Mabel could utter another word, there was a loud knock on the closed door.

Shirley, in response to the knock, came in from the next room. She took in the situation at a glance, but did not betray her surprise by so much as an exclamation. She advanced quickly toward Mabel and young Bristow.

"What is wrong?" she asked in a low voice.

Bristow waved his revolver toward the door.

"They want me," he said. "I can't allow you girls to be drawn into this, so I shall go out."

A dark expression pa.s.sed over his face, and his hand tightened on the revolver. Shirley became alarmed.

She motioned him to the room beyond.

"You go in there," she said. "No one will bother you."

For a moment Bristow hesitated, then he bowed and pa.s.sed in. As he went by her, Mabel reached out and relieved him of his revolver. Bristow started to protest, then changed his mind and said nothing.

Mabel motioned to Shirley.

"You go in too," she said. "I'll stay here."

Shirley obeyed without a word. Then Mabel walked to the little center table, and put the revolver in the drawer.

Came another sharp knock on the door. Mabel advanced and threw it open.

Three men stood in the doorway, and all removed their hats at sight of her.

"What is it?" demanded Mabel.

"We are searching for a man named Von Blusen, who is aboard this ship.

We trailed him down the deck here, and he disappeared. Have you seen him?"

"I know no one by that name," returned Mabel.

"He's a young fellow," went on the spokesman of the three, "and a very smooth-spoken chap. All the other cabins are locked but this one. I happen to know that this door was open a few minutes ago. I thought he might possibly have come in here?"

He looked at Mabel inquiringly.

"I know no one by that name," declared the girl again.

"Perhaps you know him by some other name, then?"

Mabel did not reply.

The man became suspicious.

"I am afraid we shall have to search this cabin, miss," he said. "I am not convinced he is not in here."

"What is it you want with this man?" asked Mabel, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"Well, I don't mind telling you. Von Blusen is a German and I have been tipped off that he is up to some mischief, I don't know just what. My orders are to take him ash.o.r.e and turn him over to the U. S.

authorities."

"And who are you?" demanded Mabel.

"Me? Why, I'm a United States special officer."

He threw back his coat and exposed a badge, which he covered hurriedly.

Mabel, therefore, did not see it clearly. Something seemed to tell her, however, that the man was not telling the truth.

She stepped back quickly to the little center table, and as the first man advanced after her, she quickly opened the drawer and produced Bristow's revolver, which she levelled at the three men.

"You can't come in here," she said quietly.

The foremost man drew back, as did the others.

"But, miss," said the spokesman, "we must search the cabin. I am sure Von Blusen came in here. Will you deny it?"

"I don't have to deny it," declared Mabel angrily. "If you are United States officers, as you claim, you will have some means of identification."

"I showed you my badge," said the man.

"Yes, and you were careful that I didn't get a good look at it."

"But we must make the search."

"Then you must have an order. I know that much. I know you have to have a piece of paper, or something-a warrant I believe it is called."

"I haven't any warrant now," was the reply, "but I am going to make the search just the same."

He stepped forward, but Mabel covered him with her revolver.

"You have come in here against my command," she said quietly, "and I should be perfectly justified in shooting you, as I would a burglar."

The man sought to temporize.

"Now, see here miss-" he began.