and so we cannot afford to see them. Do not forget that we
are keeping to the middle of the road."

Clayton smiled and dropped his hand to his side. Thus
they stood watching the little bit of white paper until it
finally remained at rest upon the floor just inside the door.

Then Clayton stooped and picked it up. It was a bit of
grimy, white paper roughly folded into a ragged square.
Opening it they found a crude message printed almost
illegibly, and with many evidences of an unaccustomed task.

Translated, it was a warning to the Claytons to refrain
from reporting the loss of the revolvers, or from repeating
what the old sailor had told them--to refrain on pain of death.

"I rather imagine we'll be good," said Clayton with a rueful
smile. "About all we can do is to sit tight and wait for
whatever may come."



Chapter 2

The Savage Home


Nor did they have long to wait, for the next morning as
Clayton was emerging on deck for his accustomed walk before
breakfast, a shot rang out, and then another, and another.