The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-05-31
The discriminating keg

prisoner like himself; at the two revenue
men who guarded the door, and he
thought dolefully that there was some
truth in the neutenants remark. All
night Dick had been out in the Betsy
Jane, and though. of course, being
mere visitor to this little seaside inn,
he had only gone for the sake OF the
san and the excitement, il was inipossi-
bic TO deny that. when the lugger
dropped anchor in the black pool some
time before dawn. fifteen kegs had been
landed, and he had helped to land them
For all Dick cared-or kne~-they might
have contained water. Fourteen went
into the country in the charge of silent
men who seemed TO know their road
even by that half light. One, notw:th
standing the remonstrances of the Betsy
James skipper, who declared IL a dan
gerous proceeding, had been placed on
a barrow and wheeled up 10 the Green
Dragon by Dick and Mr.. Prendergast,
landlord of the same. Prendergast was
positive that the gaugers had no mixing
of the landing; Dick was content 10 re-
gard the cask as a eask-which might
contain water. The consequence was that
no sooner had they installed the keg in
this attic than rap at the door came,
followed by the entry of Lieutenant cur
wen and dozen revenue men. Dick and
the landlord were at once arrested. That
was the miserable fact. True, Prender-
CAST before he lapsed into sulky silence,
had conveyed to Dick that the other
fourteen kegs. after which the lieIten-
ant had sent ten of his men. were safe
from pursuit But there was little con-
ISOLATION in that The fact remained that
here was the discriminating keg, and the
lieutenant seated upon IL in fan2ucai
triumph He was only waiting for the
return of his men before he took the
prisoners and the spal up to the
squire's.
Dick looked the miserable fact in the
face The worst of it was that the
squire would take the lieutenant's view.
for he detested smuggling. No doubt
Dick could snow the absurdity of press
ing such a charge against MIN seriously,
but to have been found aiding or abet-
ting, even by his presence. would lose
him the sruire's favor, which he had
been at desperate pains to acquire. Prob
ably too. 1t would lose him the squire s
consent-not yet besought-to the hand
of his daughter. esides, it was this Cur
wen's triumph. The Iong-faced, fanau-
cal fellow was jealous, pointless though
his jealousy was. He had waited for his
chance against Dick. and seemed 10
fancy he had got II.
Said Dick: My contention is that
so far as Pm concerned-there is no
brandy in that key"
The lieutenant did not deign to reply,
but drummed his heels on the cask.
Which gave back a gurgling, nGuorish
sound
soda water, perhaps" Dick suggested
pleasantly.
A knock was heard at the door. and
the lieutenant said, "Coom in" pom
pously Entered Sal Prendergast, with a
fear-Stained face
'.'Tis letter. she said efficiently,
"for Mr.. Shenston."
MAY the captive of your spear re-
ceive communications" Dick asked. af-
fably.
From whom does the letter Gomez"
demanded the lieutenant.
From Miss Judy, sir said Sal, and
his brows contracted angrily. she was
passen and seed me cryen-
Thou shalt not mourn for the wick
ed" said the lieutenant.
Not eff ma fathers taken by the
gaugers an charged O runner kags?
Sal flashed out. Miss Judy dew not
think so, and when I tailed her she said
it was a sheame--
peace, girl said the lieutenant.
Evidently Miss Judy had been distrust-
full Of the duteous lieutenant for the
note was written in French. Translated
it ran:
Keep the lieutenant in conversation
for twenty minutes from now. Remem-
Der that, so far as you know, there Is
no brandy in the cask. At the end OF
that time there will be none.-J"
"Ah, if you would be so good as to
go after her" said Dick. Thank her
for me and say Certainly
Sal slid from the room, leaving Dick
to maintain his parley. AS she entered
!, he crVl g p
ed a little aniously with the question,
well, did you mark exactly where 1t
stands?" "Iss, Miss Judy" said Sal.
Just here to the left" She pushed the
table under the spot, and Miss Judy
mounted thereupon. Quick, Sal, the
men may be back any moment Lock
the front door and then come and hold
the can. I'll do this
The room was the bar parlor. with
two doors to it--one for the front and
one for the back For the rest 1t was
also usual enough, and thin boarding
only separated it from the room above.
Through the boarding, in silence, with
the utmost care, Miss Judy drove
gimlet In a very short time a squirt
of brandy followed, and Sal received it
in a can.
Meanwhile Dick was showing his re-
pentance by faithfully engaging the lieu
tenant in conversation. 1t was rather
difficult thing 10 do and annoying ex-
ceedigly to see him sitting there on the
cask.
Their conversation was interrupted by
the tramp OF his returning men. They
showed empty hands and said they had
had no luck But the lieutenant was too
contented TO be greatly put out by this.
Never mind" he said, there's enough
here Get the barrow ready and FTe'H
20 up TO squires."
Here" said the lieutenant. And again
he kicked his heels on the keg. II gave
out a hollow sound. He ieaped of it, as
If he had been suddenly stung. A faint
glimmer Of the truth dawned upon Dick.
Remember he said. proyokinsly,
my conteutio MAS been that there IS
no brandy in the cask-'
The lieutenant turned II over on its
side without answering. II was empty.
and though the floor beneath was damp.
the holes had been stopped I'D.
There was brandy in H." ne said,
rounding on Dick
'The-soda-warer seems 70 have evap-
Grated said Dick. innocentiy. Some OF
the revenue men Began TO smoker.
search the place." said Curwen.
rnsshing his teeth. One OF the men re-
turned presently and announced strong
smell Of brandy in the yard. particu. arly
the duck pond
-, would hardly 10 to show the squire
water from the duck pond as contra
band spirits" said Dick
There's sheep and there's goats said
TIA lieutenant. hardly able 70 contain his
wrath. so that Dick came VERY near 70
pitvinx rim. and only nu-uured and
asses" this tine under his breath. The
lieutenant ordered his men OF and FOL
lowed them Dick. without stopping n
explain matters to the bswi 1ered Prem
aerxae-. fastened down Sal" hs cal