Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1901-03-30

Stay, stay, my fine fellow. It's not
going TO end like that. The trespass IL
only the smallest part. There has been
a robbery on board. 1t has been re-
ported to me this morning, and. and
"You suspect me?" He nodded. "On
what grounds, may | ask? i am emil
tied to be told that"
II shall tell you nothing. L am cap
tain OF this ship
But will not be 70 very long, / think
after this voyage, IL You adopt such a
high handed and unwarrontable course
as to accuse a passenger or theft, yet
give him no reason for it,
This shot told. His fiery eyes falter-
ed for q moment, and there was less
assurance In his voice when he Went
on, II am answerable TO my employers
not to you
And, pardon me, TO the public OF
whom I an one, and to the British gov
eminent, whom 1 represent captain
Shearborne."
His law fell. and he looked rather
helplessly at the purser, VINO opp
over and whispered a few words In ms
car They only seemed to still further
stir M his bile and more sturdily ina
cate his authority. a.
.By heaven-' ne shouted, "1ll not be
bounced by every longshore scaiiywas
that chooses to face me Out with thun-
lerinr lies, on board my own ship too
british government be hanged! What
nave I. TO do with 1t In midatlantic and
with so fathoms OF blue water under
my keel! Besides, It's what you say
How are we to know It's truef o al
nitted you were sailing under raise
colors. What's your real manner =,
That moment j had intended 10 teii
aim everything, but o did not trust
ais discretion. 49,
You shall know all In good time
when It suits me. MeanWhlle ho''
you responsible"-
'Yah! You're worse than a sea law
yer, lacking and veering all AROUND the
compass. Answer my question Dio
you steal those papers,?
what papers? Whose?'
"The dukes. Terry oil you
know. You we're seen near MS state
room.'
That's untrue, for l never Went
there and don't know where II Is. But
es for my papers Well, yes, nave
them hore"-I touched my pocket
and | mean TO keep them.
The skipper all but ounde from Aia
chair. II think you be STARR
staring mad, O raging lunatic' no Iess,
| shall have to clamp you In irons ana
send you down for safety to Sand al
ley. Hand them over now IN a brace Vi
shakes, or Ill'-
He rose mechanically. Keep your
distance. Don't lay a finger on nor
don't touch those papers. No one must
see them. They belong to the BRUSH
government
"Then how came they in the posses
sion of this duke? Yah! Try another.
"He acquired them wrongly and VII
have TO answer for that and other
things-he and those with him.
"Including that millionaire youth. !
suppose Captain Wood, who seems
even more upset at this r~obbery-your
robbery"
| could contain myself no longer.
"IIe is not Captain Wood. He Is an
inposter. l am Captain Wood, Mr.
McFaughts heir
The skipper here burst into an up
roarious Il. OF laughter, which the
purser echoed heartily.
"By the everlasting lingo, this Is toe
much! Quartermaster!" cried the cap
tain, and my friend ran In. call In a
couple Of hands with a ropes end and
seize this chap down. It's not safe to
let him range about the ship loose. But
FIRST Of all hoist those papers out OF
aim. They're In the inner pocket
Before they could touch me | made
one step to the open portfolio and with
a quick movement threw the parcel OF
INTO the sea.
You desperate rufTian! I'll have the
ship stopped, a boat lowered. Run VI
20 the bridge, quartcrmaster."
They're heavy enough to sink. Cap.
tain S%herborne, long before you coul
get within a mile of them, and you may
do what you like now. My minds per
fcctly easy"
II shall confront you with the boss
who owns those papers,
THAT he never did, nor will any one
else now. But again / warn you to be
careful. If you bring us face to face
there will be mischief done"
mo for l shall have seized you first
made you so fast you won't he bic to
stir a finger or even look crooked, my
fellow"
THE boots on the other leg, captain
The mischief will be done to me. and
tell you whatever happens will be laid
on You. l claim your protection. With
hold IT at your peril"
The skipper looked nonpulsed. NJ
doubt he was still inclined to think me
a l%unatic, but / spoke so quietly and
collectedly hat he was n little shaker
in his first impression.
Upon my soul ! don't know what tc
say or do. What dye advise, Mr.. Bof.
finge?" This to the purser.
He says he's Captain Wood. We
have reason to believe he is not, not
according to thistle purser touched
a printed list of passengers lying on
the table-"or If he is the other must
be an imposter. Ask him, sir, what
proof he can give US that he Is the rea'
Simon Pure. Can he refer to any one
on board who will Deal out this mon
strous assertion"
That's a good idea, Boflnge. Come
my man, what do YOU say? ar you
do it,"
Easily If 1 choose. There are two
ladies who would bear me out. but ]
would rather not bring them into il.
am engaged to be married 10 one OF
them"
The captain grinned. This was rath.
or against me-a fresh proof of lunacy
And a young fellow who is practi,
cally in my employ, although one OF
Saraband's people
1.-The New York detective agency
I've heard OF them"
And he may not care to have you
know who he is"
so that you can offer us no guaran-
tees Of your good faith, Ell? Strikes
me you're in a sinking condition and
will soon be n complete wreck" sheer
ed the captain The whole thing Is
ugly-your loalng round where you
shouldn't, your unlawful possession OF
the papers which you make away with
when tackled, your claiming another
mans ma N don't like II and TIL
tell you what l mean TO do with you,
keep you a close prisoner till we make
New York. There you can answer to
the proper authorities. Meanwhile I'll
stand the racket. / must look to the
lame and credit OF my ship"
Where shall | be imprisoned?"
I'm O spare cabin the purser will find
you. You shall have your meals and
all attention, but you'll stay below un-
der lock and key until Uncle Sam sends
board to fetch o after we're
alongside the wharf"
II protest and, as / have already
said will hold Won raSpOnSibla Won