Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1900-02-22
CHAPTER XX.
BIackmail.

SOIlcWLldt 10 my SuIpTISe, the HcNS~
vendor to whose accidental recognition
Of Tom Webb | owed so much, did not
put in his usually punctual appearance,
but when I remembered the extra SOW
ereign | had given him, his absence did
not surprise me much. Sam could eel
citrate a bit of luck" like most Of his
tribe, and was probably not exactly in
form for paying visits.
Almost exactly at = o'clock Dirk Van
ston called at my rooms, dressed in his
very best suit, and looking broader and
stronger than ever. He carried n par
Gel, which proved to contain a length
Of strong rope, and from his hip-pocket
he produced a revolver.
There, sir" he exclaimed, surveying
these possessions with great satisfac-
ton. Now l feel ready for any sort Of
scrimmage that may turn up, though
I'd rather have a good rough-and-tum-
bic for choice"
l took a revolver, also, and we start
ed ~eastwards, pretty confident as to the
result should the expedition end in a
fight. By previous arrangement the
Weiroa steward, Mr.. Gray, had agreed
to keep Billy on board that afternoon.
and when we reached the docks we
found that he had kept his promise
found that he had kept his promise. He
also told me that BlOgg had resigned
his place on board, although he there
by sacrificed a months wages, and
that Spratt had obtained leave of alb
sence ito visit his sick mother"
He don't quite trust BlOgg." re-
marked the steward, drily, that's
about the strength of it. and wants TO
keep an eye or him. He don't seem TO
have the least idea he's being shad-
owed himself by a tee, but he is,
though, and has been for some time
back. Now, then, Billy, you know ex-
actly what you have to do; just what
this gentleman tells you, and ask no
questions"
I'm fly, SIR" replied the boy. with
one Of his foxy leers. Wee better get
there a bit ahead OF them too. hadn't
We? Without these gents wants ter
get in by the window" And he looked
doubtfully at Dirk's vast width of
shoulder. There was, obviously. sound
sense in this suggestion, and we acted
upon 1t forthwith. The steward saw
us to the gates.
"On account, Mr.. Gray" / whispered.
slipping a ten-pound note into his hand.
II trust you'll have some good news
for your wife before morning"
Thank you. sir, and gOOd-luck" he
answered, with a grateful look. Keep
the boy well in hand, sir; he's a bit
tricky"
Preceded by Billy, we walked on to
Rodney Avenue, near which the boy
matted outside an ironmOnger'S.
1t as just struck me, sir" he re-
marked, las ow an augur or n good
sized gimlet would come in andy. You
see, last time | could ear most Of what
was said, but l couldn't see 'em, on &C
count Of the door"
The lads right" said Dirk. LET
me get It,"
III soon emerged with the required
tool, wrapped up in brown paper.
which he described as "a half-inch,'
Billy chuckled and rubbed his hands
hough whether with the prospect of
perforating doors or spying upon Mr.
Blogs, he did not inform us. We had
decided to leave the question of our
entrance into the house to him. and h.
took the lead with a full sense of his
W Importance. He certainly nosses-
sed the elements Of successful strategy
In his cunning young b~rain-coolness
and ~audacity.
wed better not wait till It's unite
dark" he remarked, "for fear the 9th
ers might get in afore we're ready 70,
EN-. It's dusky enough already 7
reckon seem the 'ouse is set hacL, q
good bit from the road. Well ri wall
IN carryln' that gents parcel rs
though was a shop-boy, and knock
at the all door, just to make sure There
amt no n there yet. If there Is. an
they answer h knock, why. I inst
ask II Mrs. Brown lives there. an,
ooKs II. But. Of course, there Wont
oe no one, an so round | goes to tho
nacK as bold as though / lived there
ihen shins up the ladder and In
through the window, same as afora
an opens the front door for Won two
gents. arter I whistles"
"Tha boyll die In gaol vet - ho
don't get hanged" muttered D;ri,
shaking his head. as Billy sauntnra5
down the footpath, swinging his ,,ar
eel n whistling '9Ta-ra-boom.daiay,,
III reaiistic errand-boy style.
LII was u special business to ca.
ina no policeman was watching his
movements; an easy task, seeing that
mere was not a guardian Of the law :,
sight In a remarkably short n Of
tlme we heard the whistle-signal, and
were admitted into the house. go"
III was quite dark in the hall. hut
our youthful guide had profted Inv his
previous experience, and now produced
a SINAI hull's-eye lantern I'm great FRI
umph. He lit Il, tested the slide N Coo
MAJ II worked smoothly. and led tho
way down stairs into the kitchen II
was a large one. and fairly wei fur.
hished with cooking utensils but show.
ing no signs Of recent use- II had two
doors beside the one we entered hv
NV Don We're locked. though the KEYS
nao not been removed. One opened IN.
90 seullery; The other gave entrance
lnto a small room containing various
odds ahd ends, brushes hoxas .H.n