The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-02-26
CHAPTER XVII.
A GAME OF "BIUFF" WITH HUGH

why HOl vi int OuDdu tLuttn III
deed?'' / repeated as | called 10 mind
the fact that it was there Mullen bad
lain secure when the hue ard cry was
at its height. 1t was only when the
hue and cry had somewhat subsidized
that he had ventured forth TO commence
his devilry afresh. and what was more
IikeIy, now that the hne aud cry had
been raised once more, than that he
should have crept back TO his former
hiding place?
The next afternoon Twas in the little
cottage at Canvey again, and should
have been there sooner but for the fact
that wished first 10 satisfy myself that
by the police.
did not intend on this occasion 10
waste time in trying to find out whether
Hughes had any one on board with him
or not, especially as / was now without
Quickly's assistance. This was a case in
which it seemed to me safer TO achieve
my purpose by bold stroke than to
adopt the more cautious course of beat
ing about the bush. The thing to do
would be to engage Hughes in CONVEX
sation, and when he was of his guard
to charge him suddenly with sheltering
fugitive from justice on board the
Cuban Queen. The cleverest rogue is
apt to betray himself when surprise
is thus sprung upon him, and such
clumsy rascal as Hughes should not be
difficult to deal with. / did not doubt
that he would deny the impeachment
with much buster and more bad Ian
guage, but by keeping a keen eye upon
his face when playing my game of bluff
/ hoped to be able 10 come 10 some def
mite conclusion in regard to the theory
/ had formed concerning Mullen's
whereabouts.
But i had yet to catch the hare which
/ felt so competent to cook, and of the
two tasks the former promised to be the
more difficult Hughes, as TIE reader
already knows. did not often leave the
hulk, and as it was quite out Of the
question that | should seek him there
some plan for making it necessary for
him to come ashore must be devised.
After much brain cudgeling l hit upon
an idea which | Immediately proceeded
TO carry out. The oil which was burned
i'll Hughes cabin was taken out TO him
every Monday and Thursday by the at
tendant whose duty it was TO fetch and
carry for the caretakers of the hulks.
knew that IL was so, as the man had to
pass my door On his way to the boat,
and had seen the tin can in his hand
repeatedly.
AS matter Of fact, was at that mo-
ment reminded of the matter, for the
day was Thursday, and the man in
question was just going by my gate,
carrying the can in one hand and q
small sack of potatoes in the other. If I
did not avail myself of this opportuni-
ty, should have to wait until the fol-
lowing Monday before taking action, so
l at once opened the door and hailed
him.
II want you to do little commits
sion for me" said. you'll be going
down to the village some time today, /
know. Could you leave a letter to Mr..
Hayes at the vicarage?'
Eyes. sir" he said oivilly. with
pleasure.
THAT'S right. Put that sack and the
can down and come into the other room
while scribble the letter. dare saw I
can find you glass Of grog in there
and cut OF cold beef if You feel like
having mouthful."
THANK you, sir, he said, unburdep.
ing himself Of his load and following
me into the inner room. had not I'm
ished my own breakfast very long and
a small joint was still on the table.
Pull up and help yourself" said,
producing knife and fork. "Wbat'll
you have to drink? I've got some old
rum. How'll that suit you?"
Capital, sir" he replied.
"All right It's in the other room, I
think. I'll be back in a moment. You
make start meanwhile OIL the cold
beef"
No sooner was / in the other room
with the closed door between us than
whipped ont the cork from the paraffln
can, and seizing a siphon Of soda water
that stood upon the tatle-it was the
only liquid bandy-I slipped the spout
into the mouth Of the can and pressed
the tap.
III this isn't pouring oil on the trou-
bled waters, it's at least pouring trou-
biad waters on the oil. y I said to myself
when halfa tumbler of soda had Kissed
ltsso the can. "Thsre'll be some rosv
!:nsusee shout when Hughes goes to
- 4 A. - - =. .