CHAPTER VII.--MABEL SHOWS HER COURAGE.

"By the way," said Shirley as they walked along, "how is your wound? I see you have removed the bandage."

A startled expression flitted across the young man's face, but neither girl perceived it.

"It's much better," he made answer. "Not even a scar left. It didn't amount to much, after all."

Fifteen minutes later they were back aboard the _Yucatan_, where Shirley related their experiences to others of their party.

"I'll have to keep a closer watch on you two," declared Mr. Willing. "Every time you get away by yourselves you run into trouble. And you won't always come out of it so easily."

Several hours later the big steamship moved majestically out of the harbor and soon was headed down the coast once more. She came to anchor again the following morning at Jacksonville, the last American port at which she would touch until she reached San Diego, California. The Willing party went ashore again, but this time, true to his word, Mr. Willing would not permit the girls to wander away by themselves.

As they strolled about, Shirley became suddenly ill. She knew it was nothing serious, brought on probably by the excessive heat. Therefore she informed the others that she was going back aboard the ship, as she wished to lie down. Mabel agreed to go with her.

The fathers saw the two girls into a taxicab, which soon dropped them at the pier, where they immediately went to their suite.

Shirley felt much better now that she was out of the sun, and lying down on the sofa picked up a book and commenced to read. Mabel sat down at a little desk to write a letter.

In spite of the cooling breeze made by the electric fan in the room, it was still rather warm, and Mabel left the outer door open to get what breeze they could from over the water. Mabel was in the first room, and Shirley in the one beyond.

Suddenly Mabel heard footsteps running down the deck toward their suite. She glanced up idly, wondering why any one should put himself to so much exertion on such a hot day, and even as she looked up a figure darted into the room and closed the door behind him.

Mabel jumped quickly to her feet and faced the newcomer, who, she now perceived, held a revolver in his hand.

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 passed 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 passed 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 ashore 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.

Mabel took a step forward. She was growing angry.

"You just get right out of here," she exclaimed.

The man drew back a step and scratched his head perplexedly.

"Miss," he said, "you are making a big mistake to shield this man. I tell you he is plotting mischief which may involve the United States in war. We must have him before the ship sails."

"Well, you won't get him in here," declared the girl.

Again the man hesitated, then seemed on the point of moving forward again.

"I warn you for the last time to get out of here," said Mabel very quietly.

Once more her revolver came to bear on the man, and he drew back, throwing up his hands with a gesture of dismay. Then he turned to his companions.

"What can we do against that?" he asked. "We can't use a girl roughly, and if the ship gets beyond the three-mile limit, we can't get him till we reach Colon."

"Guess we'll have to wait then," said one of the others.

"Yep, guess we will."

The leader turned to Mabel and made her a low bow.

"I'm sorry you interfered with us," he said. "You'll find before long that you have done wrong."

"Perhaps I shall," said Mabel; "but I couldn't permit you to invade my cabin."

"Tell you what, Tim," said one of the men, "we'll just camp out here and get him when he comes out. He's likely to come out before we sail."

"Good idea," agreed the leader. "We'll do it."

Again he made a low bow to Mabel and followed his men out.

"Sorry to have troubled you," he muttered as he took his departure.

Shirley and Bristow now came in from the other room.

"You did splendidly, Miss Ashton," declared Bristow warmly. "I was afraid you would allow them to enter."

Before Mabel could reply there came the sound of voices outside. One, raised in anger, was that of Mr. Willing. A moment later, followed by Colonel Ashton and Dick, he entered the room.

His gaze fell upon Henry Bristow.

"So," he growled, "it's you they're after, eh?"

"Yes, sir," returned Bristow quietly.

"Well, you sit down over there, young man," said Mr. Willing, pointing to a chair. "I'm going to tell you a few things, and I don't care whether you like them or not."