The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1897-04-08

he asked.
"The landing" replied the colonel. ais
not the chief difficulty; it is in taking
the cargo on board that the DANCE
lies"
And where would hat be done?"
asked the other.
That" said the colonel, II shal not
tell you yet; but it's a good long voyage
from here, and / shall want to engage
you FOR three months, certain"
tombstone reflected a moment, going
over In his mind the various ports from
which smugglers came to Europe.
Well" he said at last, ''never mind.
What's the work."
1T is work of an unusual kind" re-
piled his companion, needing skill,
strength, and courage; but I'm told
you don't shirk danger when it comes in
the way of business"
Danger said the other, with rude
contempt. eco on
The colonel continued, in the same
measured voice.
The coast" he said, lis so well kept
by guard-boats that it will be neces-
sary for us in loading the ship to make
use of a boat of entirely new design,
propelled under water, and rising and
sinking at the will of the occupant
that is to say of yourself"
tombstone looked incredulous.
You shall see the plans and judge
for yourself" said the colonel; lit is
in reality simple enough"
IF it can be worked said the other,
with an oath, then I'll do it. But what
a queer start Of the coast-guard to keep
tha COO npl ~4t xav~Nl tI- .lA,n - n .,
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.
It's got that head upon it," he said,
holding up the coin between his finger
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. ITO
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're
my money!"
Il am prepared 10 give you TO- 900
francs, that is to say f4Oo, for the
three months"
Double it!'
Certainly not" said the colonel, with
quiet decision.
b God. you shall though" growled
the other, with a hardly suppressed
threat in his gesture.
-Four hundred is my Offer" said the
colonel, indifferently. You may take
it or leave it, as you please"
Mo-" roared Johnstone: eve got
you! l know your name, and where you
live, and what you're up to, and you'll
give me a thousand. or I'll blow the
game for YOU"
The colonel put his hands in his
pockets and leaned his head back
against the wall.
Il gave you a false name and ad-
Dress he said, and / did not tell you
my real business. l do o trust a nan
until | know him."
Il don't care!" shouted the other:
I'VE got you for all that. Here you
are and here you stay until you sign for
a thousand."
Alas" said the colonel, shaking his
mead, the bold are so apt to be short
sighted! Friend tombstone" he con-
tinued, Il came here by way of the
custom house; L left a letter there, to
be opened if / did not return for it in
two hours. The time is nearly up now.
What do you suppose they will find
when they open it?"
h man looked daggers at him. but
shifted u~neasily and said nothing.
"They will find" said the colonr.,
your address and hat of this house,
with a request to look for US at once in
10th those places"
Well" growled tombstone, what
then?"
You are in request just now" con-
tinued the colonel. politely. First, +
want you; secondly, the revenue Off
GERS wish to hear more of hat little
joke about the Esmeralda; and thirdly.
the Admiralty desire your opinion on
the dangers of the West indian trade
routes
The man looked thunderstruck.
Naturally the colonel went on, 81
wish to secure the preference myself;
and, indeed, if you refuse my terms
don't suppose you will get such easy
ones from either of the. other two
parties"
There was a short pause.
I'll CO." aid tombstone. with a kind
of sullen admiration in his look. "Ill
go for four hundred"
1T shall be five," said the colonel.
And now unlock the door"
They went downstairs and out of the
house AT tho rivar-cila tIo onJn~nI
made an appointment with his compan-
ion to meet at Southampton on a GER
tain day, and stepped into a boat.
Westminster steps" he said to the
waterman as they pushed off.
taXn,ntlI aA4 fAur.. -