ds. Enter," she smiled, standing aside to permit them to
pass. And Rupert Vernier and Craik Tomlin, forgetting their gloomy
thoughts regarding each other, entered the great chamber, and were
brought to a sudden halt at the sight of John Pearse sitting at his ease
through the strife in the high chair of state.

TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK. Don't forget this magazine is issued weekly,
and that you will get the continuation of this story without waiting a
month.

The Pirate Woman

by Captain Dingle

Author of "The Coolie Ship," "Steward of the Westward," etc.

This story began in the All-Story Weekly for November 2.

CHAPTER XX.

DOLORES DEMANDS A DECISION.

Milo let loose his infernal blast, and the smashing report was followed
by a hush as of death. Then through the blinding and choking powder-reek
came the groans and shrieks of the mutilated wretches whose evil fate
had placed them in the path of the horribly despatched treasure. The eye
could not penetrate the smoke that filled the narrow rock passage;
Stumpy and his men were blackened and smeared with smoke and sweat,
demoniacal to the ultimate degree; and these were the men Milo hurled
forth now to make the _debacle_ complete.

"Out upon them!" he cried, urging Stumpy to the ledge. "Leave not one of
these dogs alive, Stumpy, and thy fortune is made. Thy Sultana will
reward thee magnificently. Out with ye!"

Stumpy hitched his poor clubfoot along in brave haste, and flourished
his cutlas in a hand that dripped red. For once in his stormy life the
crippled pirate felt something of the glow that pervaded the heart of
devoted Milo: for a moment he felt he was redeeming himself by enlisting
his undoubted courage in a worthy cause.

"At 'em, lads!" he roared, leaping down through the smoke. "Dolores,
Dolores! Give 'em hell, bullies!"

He stumbled and fell, his crippled foot playing him false. He sprang up
with a curse of pain, bit hard on his lip, and plunged into the huddled
remnants of the attackers, his roaring bullies at his heels. His
onslaught was the one thing needed to put terror into the hearts of the
survivors of Milo's blast. Coming through the leek like so many devils,
Stumpy and his crew put their foes to flight and followed eagerly,
hungrily; the forest rang and echoed with the clash of action and the
smashing of underbrush in panicky flight.

Now Milo, his duty to his Sultana performed, thought of Pascherette. The
little octo