But miners are apt to be careless; men accustomed to dynamite will

handle it with an astounding disregard for danger. And here was a case

in point. Some Spanish overseer, evidently at a loss for a memorandum

tablet, had scribbled hieroglyphics with an indelible pencil on this

particular wrapper. It was clear that the figures and abbreviated

words referred to the development of a cross-heading and the position

of certain lodes, but Courtenay was quick to see that the official who

made those notes would recognize them. Hence, the mine or store from

which the package had been stolen or bought could be identified. Such

evidence was of high circumstantial value. Courtenay put the wrapper

in the same drawer as the cartridges, entered in the log the time and

manner of its discovery, and forthwith dismissed it from his mind.

It was almost dark when he went on deck. The wind was keen and chilly.

It whistled through the broken windows of the wheel-house, and seemed

to have in it a promise of bad weather. But a glance aloft and at the

sky beyond the southern headland--Point Kansas, as it was called on

board--reassured him. The far-flung arc overhead was cloudless. The

stars of the southern hemisphere, vivid and bright, though less

familiar than those of the north, were reflected in the black water.

The ship was so still, the surroundings so peaceful, save for the plash

of tiny waves created by the breeze, that he was almost startled when a

soft voice came from the lower deck: "Where in the world have you been, Captain Courtenay? Joey is fretting

for you, and I have carried him all over the ship in vain search."

His heart jumped with gladness. Elsie was awaiting him at the foot of

the companion. Be sure he was by her side without needless delay. The

dog wriggled in her arms, so she said: "I don't think he ought to run about. His dear little paw is rather

badly cut, and there may be more broken glass on the deck."

"I hope not, for our Chileans' sake," laughed Courtenay. "I heard Mr.

Boyle telling them to sweep it up, and they were hard at work when I

went to my cabin."

"Oh, is that where you hid yourself? No wonder I could not find you.

Of course, Joey knew where you were. How stupid of me!"

"Please don't call yourself names, Elsie. You don't deserve them.

And, by the way, may I address you by your Christian name? It slipped

out to-day unawares. Not that I feel like apologizing, because I

don't. There are times when the heart speaks, not the guarded tongue."




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