St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-04-22
out his hand and heartily shook that of Mike

| dOlIHeSS IdtnoF nau Deeu SCnOOlHldVSS 6QQ
companions in childhood and early youth.
The commodore had met his friend, Judge
Davidson, then rising lawyer in San Fran
| cisco, again, some twenty-one years before
! this, when he was stationed as a lieutenant
! on the Pacific Coast. Judge Davidson had
learned somewhat of the sailors purpose,
but had NO idea that it had become the ruling
motive of his life. He knew why the COM
modore had sent his nephew to the Paeiaax
and he also knew the man he was in search
| of, and could have indicated him at once had
| he so chosen, but in Judge Davidson's de-
fence it may be said that while he knew the
| early record of his wealthy client to be any
thing but white, he believed that he had re-
formed, and that he was now at heart and in
| private what he seemed to be to the world
| The meeting between the two men was
| friendly, and on the commodores part at
least. warm, but Judge Davidson was man
| who appeared to be continually on guard
Even in talking on the most trifing subjects,
or in relating joke. which he seldom did, he
spoke in a low voice, and with the manner of
one anxious not to be heard outside of those
for whom his remarks were intended. eau
ton might be said to be the ruling trait of his
character, were it not that he had established
reputation for cunning; but then, is not
caution one of the characteristics of cum
ming?
Judge Davidson had more recent dispatch
from Buena Vista than that received by the
commodore, though its tenor was the same.
1t said that Ralph was rapidly improving,
and that thanks to good health and good
nursing, he would soon be able to be about
speaking about good nursing" said
Judge Davidson in his low, cautious tones,
and with glance about him, as though to
make sure that no one else was in hearing
I" think might whisper to you little Sc
cret about your nephew"
$50 on" said the commodore, eagerly
anything that concerns him, interests me-"
81 think told you," continued Judge Day.
idson, "that Colonel Morton, the owner of
Buena Vista, has one child, an only daugh-
ter"
81 seep' interrupted the commodore
"You represented her to us as most beau
tiful and attractive girl, and since Ralph's
coming out have often thought of this and
with my own experience in mind, have
prayed that he might not be so susceptible as
was when I first came to this coast"
Il think, commodore, your fears are
groundless, for know no more admirable
girl, and 1 am acquainted with hundreds,
| than Dora Morton. She is your nephew's
nurse, and my impression is that her interest
in him is so profound that she will neglect no
duty; and his interest in her is so great that
he would come back from the grave to be
near her."
This being subject that deeply interested
the commodore, he very naturally made in
quiries about the girl and her family, to
which Judge Davidson replied with his Gus
tomary promptness and caution
Except for walk in the plaza Commodore
West remained in his room ali day. and even
had his meals served there
At a quarter to nine Mike Regan again
put in an appearance, and the night being
foggy and damp, not an unusual condition
for San Francisco nights, he appeared muf-
he'd up in great waterproof, and he carried
another on his arm. which he insisted that
the commodore should wear, 'for the pur-
pose OF disguise" he frankly said.
Leaving the hotel by a private staircase.
they entered a waiting cab and were driven
to street which, the commodore inferred.
was used for business purposes in the day
time, SO very quiet and deserted was it now.
Leaving the cab, they entered dark hall
way, the commodore clinging to his guides
coat as they assembled the carpetless stairs.
At the head of the stairs they were halted
by man who could not be seen.
Mike Regan whispered a password into the
guards ear, and vouching for his companion,
the unseen man said:
"The countersign is right; pass onp'
Still clinging to Regan's coat, the commo-
dore was led along the dark hall, and was
halted before glimmer of golden light that
| came through the crack in door.
On this door Regain knocked three times.
and was answered by three knocks from
| within.
A circular opening appeared in the door,
| and into this Regain whispered another word.
The door opened and the two men entered,
and passed masked man on the other side.
| Telling the commodore to follow his exam
| pie, Regain removed his waterproof, and took
from two big pigeon-holes that looked like
sections of giant honeycomb, two bundles.
Each of these contained black mask and
black cape.
Regain helped the commodore to put on his
|
then knocked at second door.
Here another circular opening appeared:
more mysterious words were whispered in.
The door opened, and Commodore West and
Regain were ushered into a room, about which
| sat fifty or more men, disguised like them
| selves.
Taking the commodore's hand, Regan led
him to the centre of the room, and facing
/ masked man, evidently the presiding officer,
who sat on raised platform at the other
end, he said, in a low, clear voice:
"Albert Howard, allow me to present our
honorary brother, George West"
CHAPTER XVI.
| COLONEL MORTON RETURNS TO BUENA VISTA.
Colonel Morton was in the Office of his friend
and associate, French, when from the adjoin-
ing room a man hurried in, with piece of
| yellow paper, ON which a telegram was
| written, in his hand.
Handing it to the colonel, he said, with the
manner Of a man breathless from excitement,
| rather than from exertion:
'This. sir, has just been received from the
| Palace HOTEL
Gin cypher?" asked Colonel Morton. as he
hastily unfolded the paper.
eyes, Sir" was the reply. s'You know our
orders are to receive everything, but none of
our telegraph associates ever send anything
that is not in the company's CIPHER"
With this the man bowed, and backed into