CHAPTER II
_Out to Sea_
The following morning an advertisement appeared in the papers, under theheading of help wanted: woman. It was the same address on Morgan Avenue.His heart sank! The man was _advertising_ for a wife! Now Barrow _knew_he was in for a tough streak of luck. He read it carefully.
_Opportunity for young lady. Must be of age, single, brilliant, with good family background. Higher education not necessary. Must be willing to travel long distance. Must not be averse to marriage with brilliant young man; give up all former associations, with no possibility of return; live life in small community of own race, with no possibility of communication with former home. Must be without close family ties, or relationship. Opportunity to live life of luxury and ease, with amiable group far from present home and civilization. Young lady who fits qualifications will not regret applying for position. Honor, love and security will be her reward. OPPORTUNITY! Room 36, 18 West Morgan Avenue, City._
* * * * *
While Dick was eating dinner on Tuesday evening, a young lady fellheadlong in front of his table. A moment later she was seated in thechair opposite his own. Ten minutes later he was ordering her dinner.
Afterward, as they walked toward a movie, Dick felt as if he wascommitting a crime. He was supposed to meet his future wife--and insteadwas entertaining this young lady who had fallen into his life. When helearned that she was staying at the same hotel, they made a date forbreakfast the next morning.
Dolores Dunbar was good company, and seemed willing to spend most of hertime in Dick's company. He learned that she was as friendless ashimself, and wondered why they couldn't have met before he made thestrange bargain. But as the third day drew to a close she appearedapprehensive.
When she kept glancing around, as if expecting someone, Dick becamecurious, and felt rather hurt to think she was looking for someone else.Finally she spoke.
"I'm sorry, Dick, that I've made use of you the way I have, but I wasordered to do it. You see, my employer told me to meet you and spendevery possible moment in your company. He also said that I would becomeacquainted with someone through you, and that you would know who he was,when I said I came from the large-headed man on Morgan Avenue--with aletter."
For a moment Dick was stunned. Then he laughed, a sickly, half-heartedlaugh. When he found his voice it squeaked.
"I think we had better go to my room. We have some very private thingsto say."
The queer man had succeeded in their being together for three daysbefore either knew _they_ were the central figures in the drama. Nowthey felt farther apart than at any moment since they had met, butnervously admitted they had fared better than they expected.
* * * * *
They were married in the morning, to keep the agreement, but didn'tconsider it part of the bargain to live as man and wife.
Dick found only one order in the letter, to be at the office at teno'clock on Tuesday morning. That left five days to enjoy themselves.
In spite of the stiffness between them Dick noticed how the light caughtin Dolores' dark hair, and how her brown eyes sparkled at each newsight. Her head reached just above his shoulder, and he had never dancedwith a better partner. She enjoyed his company, and admitted to herselfthat he was a perfect gentleman.
During the five days they saw every good show, and visited every popularnight club. Things they had always wanted to do were packed into theshort time to themselves. Dick hired a car, and they drove for hoursthrough the country. When Tuesday morning came they were tired, and itwas hard to get up in time to keep the appointment.
When they opened the door, the big-headed man laughed at their yawns. "Isee that you've either _been_ enjoying yourselves, or have been _trying_mighty hard. You can make up your sleep from now on, as it will be along time before we reach our destination. How do you like each otherfor permanent companions?"
Their faces grew crimson. Finally Dick found his voice. "I'm perfectlysatisfied, Sir. I think Dolores is very pretty, and is _very_ goodcompany!"
He looked the other way to hide his embarrassment, as the girl spoke.
"I feel the same way. We have enjoyed being together, and perhaps whenwe are better acquainted the stiffness will disappear. We both feel odd,because we were required to marry!"
The strange man laughed out loud at this. "In other words you _might_have fallen in love, if you had been allowed time to do it. But _having_to marry creates an entirely different feeling. I believe it will workout well, even though you feel cheated at the moment. But we haven't anytime to lose. Everyone is at the dock and we sail in two hours.
"Here are your instructions, Dick. From now on _you_ give the orders,and I remain in the background. They will all feel more comfortableunder the command of one of their own race. Study everything carefullyon the way to the dock, then give them as your own orders."
Dick had little time for anything except to look through the sheaf ofpapers. On one sheet was a list of seven couples, with stateroom numbersbeside each. His own was on the top, with number three room. This hedropped in a side pocket where it would be easy to find. The remainderwas in connection with sailing.
Dick, Dolores and the big-headed man occupied one cab, while the baggagefollowed in another. Dolores had obtained quite a wardrobe, much to theamusement of her employer. But the man spoke only once during the trip.
"Everyone in the party must consider that they work for you, Dick. Youmust hear all complaints and settle all differences. They must notapproach me for any reason. I am known as Morquil, of section one, whichyou will understand when we reach our destination."
The crew was hurrying back and forth on the deck of the small ship,taking care of last-minute details. A group of people were gatheredbeside a huge stack of baggage, and Dick walked toward them withoutwaiting for the others.
Dolores went up the gangplank beside Morquil, helping him slightly. Heseemed to have difficulty in supporting his enormous head with theslight body.
As Dick reached the group, he read the names from the list in his hand."Mr. and Mrs. John McCarthy. You are in stateroom number seven. Takewhat baggage you can carry, the rest will be put on board." He calledeach name and stateroom; they headed for the ship. John McCarthy hefound was the man he had met in the office, and he _still_ had hisperpetual grin. Evidently his fiancee had agreed to the pact for theywere now man and wife.
When Dick started toward the ship, after watching the baggage put onboard, he was stopped by a tap on the shoulder. The cab drivers werestill waiting for their money. Morquil had left everything in his hands,even to paying for the motor trip to the dock.
It was a strange departure, with only a few people on the dock to saygoodbye. Even they were just neighbors of the passengers. Most of thewomen on board were crying as the _Primrose_ nosed out through theharbor toward the open sea.
* * * * *
Dick was still at the rail when the captain approached. "I'm sorry tobother you, Mr. Barrow, but I must know our destination so I can set thecourse."
The young leader's day dreaming was cut short, to jerk him back to hisduties. He felt that the lives and hopes of everyone on the ship hadbeen thrust into his hands.
Even the captain didn't know where they were going. The ship had beenchartered for a voyage of several months, to an unknown destination. Heand the crew were well paid, and didn't care where they went.
Dick drew a sealed envelope from his pocket, detached a slip of paperand handed it to the captain. He read the note, then repeated it. "Youare to keep the destination to yourself. No one on the ship is to knowwhere we are going, and you will not mention it to me again. I hope thatwe have good weather, Captain, and a fast trip."
Barrow felt like a fool. Repeating messages as if they were hisown--without the slightest knowledge of what they were about. _He_ wassupposedly charting the course--and didn't have the slightest idea wher
ethey were going.
When Dick reached his stateroom (after answering questions from everyoneon board--and telling them nothing) he found Dolores sobbing. She hadkept her smile until the boat sailed. Now she was crying her eyes out.It was not a new sight, as every woman on the ship seemed occupied inthe same way, with the men trying to comfort them.
As Dick sat down beside her, he could feel the throb of the dieselmotor. It seemed to carry the rhythm of adventure through the walls ofthe cabin, giving the feeling of the unknown. For a long time there wassilence while Dolores held one of Dick's hands for protection.
"Dick! We only have _one_ cabin! I'm supposed to stay here with you--andI _hardly know you_! Morquil told me that I must stay here, there are noextra rooms."
"I'm sorry, Dolores. We will just have to put up with things as theyare. We've got into this and will have to see it through. After all, we_are_ man and wife, and the people on board would think it strange if wedidn't occupy the same room. There are two bunks, so I won't have tosleep on the floor. It will be a long trip, and we might as well enjoyit as much as possible."
Days changed into weeks as the ship plowed steadily south. They stoppedat one port for a few hours to refuel, but there was little to see. Theship was slow and it felt good to walk on land again. But no one spokeenough English to answer questions.
It was the only time they sighted land until just before the end of thetrip, when small islands began to slide by. Some within a few hundredfeet, others just visible in the distance. Morquil hadn't appeared ondeck during the entire trip, but now he approached the rail.
His face lighted with an ethereal glow as he gazed across the bluewater. He looked like a man who was sighting his home after many yearsof absence. Dick couldn't help but feel glad for him, while cold chillsof misgiving crept up and down his own spine. Their voyage was ending ata far different place that he had pictured in his mind, and quite theopposite of the description which Morquil had given of giganticmechanical development.
They were passing by small south-sea islands, where mechanical equipmentwas out of the question. They hardly appeared _habitable_!
When the captain approached Dick, Morquil joined the conversation."_I'll_ give you the directions, Captain. Mr. Barrow is not feelingwell, and I can do it for him.
"In about an hour we will reach the island, and I will point out theentrance to the harbor. It is well protected and there is no need toworry about any storm while we unload."
* * * * *
Every inch of space in the ship was packed with supplies. There werecrates of books as well as pieces of machinery. Considerable radioequipment included assembled sets as well as parts. There were riflesand even one small cannon. Several crates of chickens and turkeys joinedthe other things on the beach. Then to the amazement of the party, acrate of pigs appeared.
It required three days to empty the ship, and with each passing hour thelittle party grew more apprehensive. It seemed as if they had beentransferred to an island to start a _new_ civilization, instead of aplace where mechanical development was far advanced. Because Dick wasthe leader of the party, the others began to look at him with hatred;Morquil was almost forgotten.
When the last piece of equipment was covered with heavy tarpaulins, theyconstructed a shelter against one side of the pile. It was almost darkwhen everything was finished, and the captain decided to wait until thenext day to sail. Everyone was invited on board the _Primrose_, for afarewell party.
Dick was forced to call a meeting in the main cabin, to forestall dangerof the party deserting with the ship. Morquil had instructed himcarefully.
"Friends, we are facing a great adventure. I'm in no different positionthan you, except that as leader I am responsible for whatever happens. Imust take all blame for whatever comes, yet know that it will eventuallywork out as we expected.
"You all know that it is forbidden to talk about this trip, or tosurmise our destination. I can assure you that it is done for yourbenefit, and later you will appreciate the fact that you did _not_ knowthe future. I can't say what the next few days will bring to all of us,but be assured that everything you have been promised will be fulfilled.
"At the moment it seems impossible that things can turn out as weexpected, but they _will_! You must simply be patient, and do not losefaith in this great adventure."
As Dick finished his speech, Morquil smiled, well satisfied. Doloreseven smiled faintly, although it required effort to overcome her feelingof disaster.
The following morning everyone went ashore, and John McCarthy wentaround trying to aid Barrow in cheering up the party. He lied like atrooper, whispering to everyone that he had discovered something thatsatisfied _him_ about the marvelous civilization they would reach beforelong.
Word of this reached Morquil, and he hurriedly called Dick and John outof sound of the others. He appeared almost frightened, and the momentthey were alone, he spoke.
"What have you learned? I wanted you to know nothing, and it is betterif you are ignorant. Whatever you learned is too much, and may upset thefuture."
John started to laugh, then seeing the expression of agony on the faceof Morquil, he stopped short. "Don't worry. I haven't learned_anything_! I simply tried to help Dick keep the people satisfied. Theywere getting so restless they _needed_ something. In my home town I wasknown as a famous liar, and thought my ability might come in handy."
Slowly the agony disappeared from Morquil's face. "Someday you willunderstand how much you have done for me, John. You will never regretit!"
The McCarthys remained jovial, and tried to keep up the spirits of theothers as the days of loneliness passed.
* * * * *
Philip Jones and his wife were quiet, and waited patiently. Andrew andEmma Smith had taken over the cooking, and served the meals. George andMary Martin were the youngest couple, and Dick doubted whether either ofthem was past twenty-one. The others were all nearer thirty. They spenttheir time side by side, gazing over the sea, perfectly happy in eachother's company.
Jerold Brown and Peter Yarbro were constantly fishing, from thecollapsible boat, while their wives played cards.
One night they were awakened by brilliant flashes of light. Running tothe beach, they watched in amazement.
They appeared like big guns firing just above the surface of the water,a few miles away. While they watched they gradually faded out. It waslike a terrific electric storm, and the little party drew close togetherfor comfort.
When the lights faded out entirely, Morquil told them to get some sleep.They would have to move equipment aboard a new ship the following day.
With the first streak of dawn Dick was back at the edge of the beach,straining his eyes into the gloom, but it was almost an hour before anyobject was visible.
After breakfast the ship was much plainer. They could see a roundedhull, like the top of a huge submarine, above the water. One of thewomen remarked that she would _stay_ on the island before she'd enter anundersea ship. The trip on the _Primrose_ was bad enough, but it wasn't_below_ the surface.
Morquil called them within the canvas shelter, as if to make a speech.He held a small ball in one hand, and while they waited for instructionsit landed in their midst.
A cloud of yellow vapor burst from the object, and everyone in the partyslowly sank to the ground. Morquil joined the others in unconsciousstupor, a victim of his own gas.
Wanted—7 Fearless Engineers! Page 2