He felt the
rim of a revolver barrel pressed against his forehead.
"Get up, then! Dress quickly in those clothes, and come out on deck.
By the side of your bunk you will find tins of black and white paint to
smear your face and hands. At the slightest refusal on your part to do
as I bid you--if you utter a cry or make any noise to attract
attention--I shall kill you without another word."
The soft voice had a steely ring in it which persuaded the man from
Argentina that he had better obey. In less than five minutes he
emerged from the doorway. The corridor in which his cabin was situated
led into the saloon. Elsie awaited him. A lamp, dimly lighting the
gangway, revealed her face. Suarez thought he had to deal with a
mad-woman. The dog, standing by her side, sniffed at him gingerly, but
a muttered "Be quiet, Joey!" prevented any outburst, every fox-terrier
being a born conspirator.
"What do you wish me to do, senorita?" began Suarez, thinking to
placate her until he could obtain assistance.
"You must obey me in silence," she whispered tensely. "You must not
even speak.
Pages:
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369