Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1900-10-25
CHAPTER Xxx.

swim. was under the influence Of a pO-
ton Smugg had insisted on his drinking,
so that he slept long and heavily. The
light-there was never much Of it in that
apartment Of ''The Sailors Welcome
indicated broad daylight, and the tolling
of bell near by told Paul it was noon,
a few seconds after opening his eyes.
| He tried to get up, but, with a groan,
rehnquished the effort His lips were
swollen and his mouth parched; and as
| he came each second into fuller posses
sion of his senses, he felt more keenly his
utter helplessness.
i The door opened noiselessly, and the
| fat landlady came in and stood stroking
her chin and looking at the young man on
| the bed.
"How do you feel?" she asked at
length.
water! water.'' he whispered in re-
ply.
She went out and soon returned with a
glass Of ice water; and he drank it with
the keenest enjoyment and a fuller APP
probation of the blessing than he had
| ever before realized.
| ''Where are my clothes?" asked Paul.
'3The clothes you came in her in won't
never be fit to wear again." said the
landlady '"They was wrecked pretty
bad. Mebbe 1 might send home and get
you some Clothes
"Send home and get me some clothes!"
repeated Paul, vaguely. ooh, yes, you
can do that; and I'll be ever so much
obliged to you in addition. I will write
you note to my friend, Mr.. Dodd, or
| you might go see him."
He gave the landlady the address, and
| she promised to communicate with MIR.
Dodd at once. But it is to be feared the
landlady of ''The Sailors Welcome" was
not a person of strict veracity.
She found in the room down stairs,
Smugg, in conversation with Carpenter.
Smugg, cautioning Carpenter to walk
quietly, led him up the stairs. Going to
a room adjoining that occupied by Paul,
Smugg noiselessly shipped back panel
in the communicating door and whisper
| ed:
'Look in; you can see him on the bed"
| Carpenter followed this direction, and
looking in, saw Paul Neville lying with
his eyes closed, and panied, jaded ex-
preston on his handsome face.
| care you satisfed?' asked Smugg,
pushing back the panel
Perfectly; but / can hardly believe
my eyes"
"And you were the man sent that bull
let at his head?"
| "Never mind that, Smugg; will be
on hand tonight
"And you will bring the money!"
"Without fail"
mind, l must divide with the crew;
| -
ey's paid down."
Chats business, Smugg; that's bust
ness, and I'll do it,
They went down stairs, and Carpenter
went off to communicate with Cheatham,
while Smugg took the landlady to one
| side.
sSmugg," she asked "do you think
! that Carpenter is influenced by malice or
by gain?"
"By BOTH" replied Smugg.
"But by which the most?"
swell, if l could see clear through it,
I'd say by gain"
THAT is, he'll make more than a
thousand dollars by getting rid of this
fellow"
That's about the size Of it," said
| Smugg. 81
every well, very WELL We should make
| all we can, when we can, and in any way
we cam"
At eleven o'clock that night Carpenter
came back, but so completely and arts
tically was he disguised that he had to
| convince Smugg he was the right person
by taking him to the back room, and
there speaking in his natural voice, and
showing his unwhiskered face.
..The crew and boat all ready?" asked
Carpenter.
eyes; had the boat brought over from
Gowanus this afternoon.
And do the boys know what we are
| mp to-" -.
one Of the nights when they swear not
to see anything," said Smugg, with O
h;deous grin.
And IL. mean Paul Neville 2"
..The andlady has drugged him. He's
sleeping, in the same place, like deaG
man"
"A becoming Sleep said Carpenter
Now there can be no danger of his see
ing or recognizing me. I'll go up anG
take a look at him. The last good look
VIII you join me?''
Smugg grunted bis willingness. and to
gether they went up to the room. There
was 40 light il the chamber Carpenter
struck match and lit the gas.
Both stepped over and looked at the
bed 1t was empty. They looked under
the bed. They tossed the bed clothes
, and pillows about. They opened the
closet They threw up the window; theil
breathing increasing in rapidity and
thickness. At length Carpenter shouted
He's gone
Smugg ran to the head of the stairs
ana shouted for the iandady, and in re
spouse the landlady came painting up.
Where's the man?" demanded Carpen
ter.
"Ain't he here?' she asked; and she
too, searched on. under and about the
bed. and even looked into the cannon-like
| opening made for the stovepipe, before
she could be convinced.
They searched the next ROOM They
searched the house. They raved, they
swore. They abused and threatened