The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-06-22
I'm figuring up how many folks could
possibly have seen those papers

are better'n one. The old man gave the
paperstoyou aboard ship, in your state
B room?"
+ Tom nodded, and the other went on:
Now, who could have seen them
when they was in your room? Let's
count up. The cap'n, the mate and me
8 is the only ones that had any chance,
cause no one else is allowed in the
Z cabin beside the cook. The cook went
. to sea long ago, which he wouldn't done
: II he had any money to buy rum nor
any such papers as them in his pocket
. We know Cap'n Coffin didn't slug you,
for he amt that kind, and if he was he
wouldn't have told you to put your
money in the safe and felt so bad over
your hurt -"
What are you driving at?'' asked
Tom, rather amused at the businesslike
J way in which the sailor was checking
off his points on the ends of his fingers
Then there's the mattel" -.
Green paused and looked triumphant
~ at Tom.
l 1.-The mates room was next to yourn
He might have seen them. He was in
his room when you came out and said
the old man was dying. He skipped out
the same day you was hurt and give no
notice. He never come nigh you at all
He"
What do you mean?" demanded
Tom, starting to his feet, as for the first
time the others meaning began to
dawn upon him.
HE hated you like poison, and"
Yes! Yes! see it ALL" cried Tom,
clenching his fists. II see why he left
so suddenly. had ticket in my
pocket by an excursion train for Seat
tie! 1t was only good that day! He is
the robber. I could swear to it! How
| did you come to think of it 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 belt un-
less he knew there was one there. l see
it must be some one that knew of the
papers, and then the rest was easy.
Now come down aboard and we'll 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 it from Toms ROOM It need
cd but glance to show that it had
been recently enlarged.
THAT'S what did the business" he
continued, land 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?"
"He 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 It'll" 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 you are the right chap? Look
here, Scott, there's only one thing to
do. We've got to go after that son of a
sea cook, and take the law in our own
hands. Something will turn up to help
us out. After all, don't know but that
there is some thing in what you say. All
he could tell about Avery was what be
saw on board the vessel. He never
talked any with him, and don't know
. anything about his family or business
Now, 7 dare say the old chap told you a
good many things about himself, didn t
hep"
eyes," replied Tom, eagerly, 'he told
me all about his family, and can soon
convince anyone that the mate is lying
If he claims to be me. I've got the cap
tain's statement, you know, sworn to
before a justice of the peace, and all wit
messed. The mate will have hard time
to get round that"
"Mebbe so," was the doubtful reply
"but it's wild country where we're
going, and I don't believe papers will be
of much account there. We're two to
one, anyhow, and if we overhaul the
rascal we shall find some way to get
square with him.
1.-The sooner we start the better
: then," decided Tom. "Come on, let's be
off, and see about it at once"
> 1t did not take the two friends long to
make their simple preparations. The
, money remaining in the captains safe
was equally divided between them and
, worn in belts. Tickets to Seattle were
, procured, and the following day, after
| hearty farewell, to the big-hearted
skipper, the two young men started on
, their adventurous trip. >a..~.
. AtSeattle there was no steamer ready
to sail for Dyea and they decided te
! continue to Victoria, where they
learned they would arrive in time to
, purchase their outfit and catch the
steamer Islander, which sailed on the
18th Of the month, and was due in Dyea
five days later. ....'
At Victoria they found the streets
thronged with men, each with an earn
est look on his face as he hustled
about. They were from all walks in life
, but all animated by the same purpose
Some were buvinp horses others learn.