Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-05-16

well-Hghted saloon as they did into the
thick storm, they failed to notice Tom,
and upon this fact his whole future de-
pended, although he was far from sus-
pecting such an improbable thing at
the time.
81 tell you he's going on that bark
to San Francisco" said the taller Of the
two men, eagerly. 'He's bound for the
Nondike, and he must have a fat roll
with him. I heard him say he would
buy his outfit out there. We can lay
for him on the dock when he is going
on board"
cts asrisky job" replied the other,
nervously.
ooh, what's the matter with you'll"
was the angry rejoinder.
Nothing, but we take great risks. I
don't like It,"
There's no risk at ALL" urged the
other. "All we have to do Is Just tap
him on the head and, go through him.
The whole thing won't take minute,
and we can be at the West end before
he knows what struck him. I'm going
to have his stuff, and if you want to go
back on me, I'll"
The rest Of the sentence was indis-
tinguishable. The word Klondike had
naturally attracted Toms attention,
and he had involuntarily strained to
catch the mems conversation, but he
felt sudden thrill Of horror as he
realized the full import of what he had
just heard.
What could he do? That the men
were planning a robbery, if not a muir
der, was evident. He could not warn
the intended victim, for he had no
means of finding or knowing him, and
to lose sight of the men to find an
officer was out of the question. Then
the athletic young fellow set his teeth
and shrugged his broad shoulders,
while under his gloves pair of hard
fists balled up Involuntary.
To some it might have occurred to
pay no attention to the matter, but
Tom Scott was of different caliber. 1t
was true that he had seen little of the
great world, but he was brave to q
| fault, and nature had added a tall,
well-knit frame to this gift. He de
| termined to prevent the villains from
accomplishing their purpose If it lay
in his power, and had no doubt of his
ability to do so.
Fearful that the men might turn and
] see him, he slackened his pace and al.
1 lowed them to gain several yards or
him, keeping close to the buildings
himself and hoping each moment t.
see an officer.
But none appeared, and,soon the two
thugs turnedinto dark, barrow alley
way, which led to one of the wharves
and were lost to view.
Tom was in a quandary. To ventur
into the place was to inviteattack from
the Villains, and he decided to wait II
n convenient doorway until the in
tended victim came along or an off
Ger should appear to. whom he coul'
tell his story.
/ A few yards to the right he found ;
sheltered recess in front of block, ans
took up his station, keeping sharl
lookout in the direction of the saloon
where he naturally supposed the mai
was enjoying himself. A short dis
lance away a street lamp shone diml.
through the falling snow and threw
broad band Of light on the sidewalk
across which no one could pass withou
being seen by him.
j 1t was situation to try the stoutes
nerves, for Tom was unarmed, and tn
man he was trying to save might b
intoxicated, while the two robber
would surely be provided with all tn
tools of their trade. A dozen scheme
| flashed through his mind as h
crouched in the shadow, only to be dis
Z carded as useless. The time dragge
! slowly enough, but his resolution di
not falter.
i Suddenly dark figure came stag
gering across the lighted space an
Toms heart gave bound. Was thi
his man? Would he have senseenoug
to understand his danger?
a No, the drunken sailor lurched heavil
along. and turned up side street