The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1897-03-23

IHe ldHulLS, ISpIlcQ the colonel tg,
not the chief difficulty; it is in talxira
the cargo on board that the danes
les
"And where would that be done@
asked the other.
THAT" said the colonel, ''I shall not
tell you yet; but it's a good long vovaso
from here, and I shall want to enga9o
you for three months, certain
tombstone reflected moment. goin.
over in his mind the various ports froro
which smugglers came to Europe.
WELL he said at last, never mind
What's the work."
1T is work of an unusual kind" 70
piled his companion, needing Skin
strength, and courage; but I'm told
you don't shirk danger when it comes in
the way of business
"DangerI' said the other, with rude
contempt go on!''
The colonel continued, in the sam.
measured voice.
1.-THE coast" he said, SIS so well kent
| by guard-boats that it will be neces
sary for us in loading the ship to max.
use of a boat of entirely new design
propelled under water, and rising and
sinking at the will of the occupants
| that is to say, of yourself"
| tombstone looked incredulous
"You shall see the plans and Judge
| for yourself" said the colonel; cit i
in reality simple enough"
eff it can be worked said the other
with an oath, "then I'll do it. But wbat
a queer start of the coast-guard to keen
the sea and not patrol the shore at ALL"
"Oh, as to that, they do; but the
watch on shore can be squared"
tombstone nodded. whats your
cargo?'' he asked, abruptly.
The colonel smiled, and took a gold
napoleon from his pocket.
Its got that head upon it," he said
holding up the coin between his fnge,
and thumb.
Something strongish, eh?" said his
companion.
very strong" said the colonel, with
dry humor.
"And plenty of it?" asked the other
Enough" replied the colonel 10
liven up every friend I've got for some
| time to come"
tombstone brought his fist down on
| the table.
I'm your man." he said, IF you'r
my money!
II am prepared TO give you 1O,N
francs, that is to say, f400, for the
| three months"
| Double it!'
Certainly not" said the colonel with
| quiet decision.
"By God you shall though" growld
| the other, with a hardly suppressei
| threat In his gesture.
-Four hundred is my offer" said The
colonel, indifferently. "You may taxi
it or leave it, as you please"
"Nor roared Johnstone; I've gt
you! I know your name, and where you
| live, and what you're up to, and you'll
give me thousand, or I'll blow th
game for your
The colonel put his hands in hi
pockets and leaned his head baC
against the wall
II gave you q false name and ai
| Dress he said, land I did not tell yN
my real business. do not trust MAI
until know him."
II don't carer' shouted the othg
''I've got. you for all that. Here Y
are and here you stay until you sign I'd
a thousand!'
''Alas! said the colonel, shaking hi
head "the bold are so apt to be short
sighted! Friend tombstone" he con-
tinued, 81 came here by way of th
custom house; I left letter there,
be opened if I did not return for it
two hours. The time is nearly up now
What do you suppose they will fiji
when they open it?"
The man looked daggers at him,
shifted uneasily and said nothing
They will find" said the colon
''your address and that of this hous
with request to look for us at once
both those places"
''Well," growled tombstone, "Wb
then?"
you are in request just now, ca
tinued the colonel, politely. First
want you; secondly, the revenue Of
| GERS wish to hear more of that lit
| joke about the Esmeralda; and third lF
the Admiralty desire your opinion
the dangers Of the West Indian tla
routes"
The man looked thunderstruck
Naturally" the colonel went on
wish to secure the preference mysa
and, indeed, if you refuse my terms
don't suppose you will get such e.
ones from either of the other
parties
There was a short pause.
| 'I'll co." said tombstone, with y
| of sullen admiration in his look
go for four hundred
cit shall be five" said the COLI
"And now unlock the door"
They went downstairs and out o.
house. At the riverside the COW
made an appointment with his CONF
ion to meet at Southampton on
tain day, and stepped into a boat
| Westminster steps, he said 10
/ wa tQr,ran a tIa1x ra11SInod off =