The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-07-14


John Avery was the formers roommate
and had died at sea.
Tom easily obtained this in writing
and he then told his secret TO Green,
who listened in open-mouthed amaze
ment. but with kindlng face that
showed he had no doubt of the absolute
truth of what he heard.
Now" concluded Tom, that's the
whole story. 1t may be a wild goose
chase, but there IT is. viii you 60 in
with me and share and share alike? l
know the papers by heart. and they are
probably lost, so we will be all right.
What do you say?"
"Say2 Why. what would any man
say? I'm with you as long as have a
drop Of blood left! OF course III go.
hut Lave hanged little mon"
Don't talk money TO mel" interrupt
ed Tom, quickly. 81 know what you did
for me before you knew had a cent.
have $4,000 left, and the first thing is for
you to take half of IT, I'll feel safer
then
Don't you think anyone knew you
had them papers?" asked his new com
rade after awhile. sure you never
mentioned them or showed them?"
sure replied Tom. 81 did not mem
ton them TO a single person, and they
were never cut of the belt except when
: was looking at them alone by my
self"
WAS Ne money you lost in the belt,
too?'
"Yes-no. come to think of it, had il
in my pocket that night. It was lucky
put the most Of il in the safe that
very day"
"'''' ---s- -.~., 10 .Lo,o"
Capt. Coffin advised me to-" replied
Tom. little surprised at the persist.
ency of his friends questioning "Why
DO you ask?"
Because" was the thoughtful reply.
I'm figuring up how many folks could
possibly have seen those papers"
81 tell you"
p. Delay a bit!" broke in Green. Let
me finish my calculation. Two heads
are better'n one. The old man gave the
papersioyou aboard ship, in your state
room?"
Tom nodded. and the other went on:
Nov, who could have seen them
when they was in your room? Let's
count up. The cap'u, the mate and me
is the only ones that had any chance.
cause no one else is allowed in the
cabin beside the cook. The cook went
to sea long ago, which he wouldn't done
If lie bad any money TO buy rum nor
any such papers as ;hem in his pocket.
We know Capn Coffin didn't slug you.
for he amt that kind. and if be was he
wouldn't have told you to put your
money in the SAFE and felt 20 bad over
your hurt"
What are you driving at?" asked
Tom, rather amused at the businesslike
way in which the sailor was checking
off his points on the ends of his fingers.
Then there's the mate"
Green paused and looked triumphant
y at Tom.
THE mates room was next 20 yourn.
lie might have seen them. lie was in
his room when you came out and said
the old man was dying. lie skipped out
the same day you was.hurt and give no
notice. He never come nigh you at all,
lie"
"What Go you meau?" demanded
Tom, starting to his feet, as for the first
time the others meaning began to
dawn upon him.
"lle hated you like poison, and"
YES! Yes! see it ALI" cried Tom.
clenching his fists 81 see why he left
so suddenly. had ticket in my
pocket 10y an excursion train for Seat
tie. 1t was only good that day! He is
the robber. l could swear TO il! How
did you come to think of il so quick?"
Cause the chap that did it would
have taken your money out of your
pocket and lit out. He wouldn't have
took no chances hunting for a belt un-
less he knew there was one there. see
il must be some one that knew of the
papers, and then the rest was easy.
Now come down aboard and well see if
we can't prove it,"
Tom followed him to the Seabird, and
they soon stood in the mates state
room.
see here!
The second officer pointed as he spoke
to narrow crack in the partition which
separated il from Toms room. 1t need
ed but a glance to show that il had
been recently enlarged,
That's what did the business" he
continued, and he's off for that gold
mine, He's got big start, and what's
to prevent his passing himself off as Mr.
Tom Scott on those people,"
"IIe couldn't do that" exclaimed
Tom.
"Why not? Was there any descrip-
ton of you in the paper the old man
gave you? How are they to know ?"
But I've got a statement in my
pocket from Capt. Coffin, telling who we
are, and all about III" insisted Tom.
what good is that when the mate is
on the spot, perhaps, with his docu-
ments, and how can you make anyone
believe Won are the right chan9 ooL