Ensign Merrill — page 34: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

iia Aha . "’¥ ¥ ; at im arr Aa ed | Pe er eee ataiete, Ole hae A Ud Pt eee 4 aa ‘ory i" ¢ ; are a aS Lie Asi ha ie idl! ale eae iy. fh tk a awl o ee wy UF Cre Nat 7 Fes yi Lid 4 IR fh» 4} - rr) ~ ey" af ¢ ’ . " e , f : . s. ae j iv tn 4 ara: . oy a ; a pit: Oe OTD em 1 a) * 4 Ny \ ae VRE Ls ‘¥) hs ‘ * J , ’ £ ey ae | Bt NIP ES ee fe vA tA hh rai Me iM, ‘ y' 4) ¥ (j .- 7 m) * , ; a no o aa A Ay i os € t rn ld Aint ak THE Vane THE ERE COW or 8G Lait aera frale are looking at us already. - Wait a few moments and we will leave here for some place _ where you can dance a hornpipe.- First and foremost, _ however, I want you to keep this a dead secret. It has leaked out too much as it is.”’ Ina few words Mark described the letter he had re- ceived that day, and how his suspicions had been aroused by the porter’s strange conduct. On showing him the card containing the Chinese writing, Ned elanced at it thoughtfully and then starting up, said he knew a clerk in an office close by. who would readily translate it. Hardly waiting for permission, the middy darted off and in a verv brief space of time was. back, triumphantly waving a sheet of paper. “Here you are, Mark, all in good old English. It didn’t take him two minutes to convert those pot-hooks and stove-lids into ‘sommit wot is sommit’ as the cap- tain of the forecastle says. But, I say, it 1s about you, - and establishes that fellow’s guilt beyond doubt. Just listen to this.’? Bending over close to the ensign, Ned read the following, in a low voice: ‘Caution, your highness ; the young naval officer is in the outer room, and I think his suspicions are - aroused. Do not leave until you receive word from me. : AH Foy.’’ **That settles it!’ exclaimed Mark decisively. ‘‘We must notify Mr. Bevins at once, and have the treacher- ous scoundrel discharged. It isa great pity this has occurred, but it will show vs one thing-—niot to under- rate the cunning and power of the enemy.’ ‘*Sh—sh!’’ warned Ned suddenly. “There is some one coming out of that alcove.” The ensign had momentarily withdrawn his atten- d tion from the door, but at the whispered words he com choo ks.com