Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1901-02-15

! put the most Of it in the safe that
, very day"
What made you do that?"
Capt. Coffin advised me to-" replied
Tom, little surprised at the persist
ency of his friends questioning. "Why
DO YOU ask?"
because" was the thoughtful reply
I'm figuring up how many folks could
possibly have seen those papers"
81 tell you"
Delay bit!" broke in Green. Let
me finish my calculation. Two heads
are better'n one. The old man gave the
paperstoy aboard ship, in your state
room?"
Tom nodded, and the other went on:
Nov, who could have seen them
when they was in your room? Let's
count up. The cap'n, the mate and me
is the only ones that had any chance,
cause no one else is allowed i'm the
cabin beside the cook. The cook went
10 sea long ago, which he wouldn't done
if he had any money to buy rum nor
any such papers as them in his pocket.
We know Cap'n Coffin didn't slug you,
for he amt that kind, and if he was he
wouldn't have told you 10 put your
money in the safe and felt so bad over
your hurt"
What are you driving at?" asked
Tom, rather amused at the businesslike
way in which the sailor was checking
of his points on the ends of his fingers.
Then there's the mate"
Green paused and looked triumphant
ly at Tom
The mates room was next to yourn.
He might have seen them lie was in
his room when you came out and said
the old man was dying. He skipped out
the same day you was hurt and give no
notice. He never come nigh you at all.
He"
What do You mean?" demanded
Tom, starting TO his feet. rs forthe first
time The others meaning began to
dawn upon him.
lie hated You Ike poison. and -"
Yes. Ncs! Isce It all!'' cried Tom.
clenchiug his fists. II see why he left
so suddenly Lad ticket i'm my
pocket by an excursion train for seat
tie! Ii WAS only good that day, lie is
the robbor l could swear TO it. How
did You come to think ofitso qutck?"
" Cause the chap that did 10 would
have taken Your money ont of your
pocket aUd III out. He wouldn't have
iook no chances hunting for belt un-
less hc knew there was one there. see
il must be some one that knew Of the
papers and then the rest was easy
Now come down aboard and wei see if
We can't prove it."
Tom followed him to the Seabird. and
they soon stood in the mates state
room.
"See here"
The second officer pointed as he spoke
TO narrow crack in the partition which
separated it from Toms room. 1t need
cd but glance TO show that it had
been recently enlarged.
That's what did the business" he
continued, and he's off for that gold
mine Hes got a big start. and what's
to prevent his passing himself of as Mr..
Tom Scott on those people? ."
"IIe couldn't do that" exclaimed
Tom.
'Why not? Wa, there any dcscrip-
ton of YOU in the paper the old man
gave YOU? How are they TO know"
"Hut I've got a statement in my
pocket from Capt Coffin, telling who we
are. and all about a." insisted Tom.
What good is that when the mate Is
on the spot, perhaps, with his docu.
mentS. and now can YOU make anyone
believe You are the right chap? Look
here, Scott. there's only one thing to
10. We've got TO 90 after that son of q
Sca cook, and take the law in our own
hands. Something viii turn up to help
rs out. After all, | don't know but that
here is something in what you say. All
he could tell about Avery was what he
saw on board the vessel. He never
talked any with him, and don't know
lnything about his family or business.
Now. dare say the old chap told you
good many things about himself. didn't
iC?"
Yes, replied Tom, eagerly, tho told
ne all about his family, and | can soon
convince anyone that the mate is lying
aims statement, you know, sworn TO
before justice Of the peace, and al wit
messed. The mate will have n hard time
o get round that"
"Mebbe So" was the doubtful reply.
but it's n wild country where we're
'oing, and don't believe papers will be
If much account there. We're two 10 :
me, anyhow, and il we overhaul the 1
'ascaI we shall find some way 10 get !
quare with him :
THE sooner we start the better. :
hen" decided Tom. Come on. let's be !.
II, and see about il a { once" !,
II did not take the two friends long TO :
make their simple preparations. The .
money remaining in the captains safe ?
vas equally divided between them and
worm in belts. Tickets to Seattle were :,
procured, and the following day, after y
hearty farewell TO the big hearted !,
ldpper, the two young men started on :