The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-03-14
THE GOLDEN IDOL.
by FERGUS HUME.

"All the same, I can turn you out.
These papers, Gasl1ell produced q large
blue envelope and tapped it. make me
master here. L have only to go through
certain forms and the things done"
"I-I-dont believe it No, / don't"
Gaskell shrugged his shoulders, and
rose to go. Very good. Then III prove
it. did not intend to take possession Of
Beach cottage, but as you are so OBJ
stinate, I must
But eff the lootenants alive, arter all,
an comes 'ome@-"
''Then I'll tell him why came here. If
he is alive-and he may be, Bendigo-in
spite of your belief, he'll have no home
to come to. If he is dead it doesn't mat
ter"
Bendigo spat on his hands, and gazed
greedily at the pocket into which the
lawyer had showed the blue envelopes.
Rowland saw his expression. and guess
ed what was passing in his mind. You
needn't try any tricks with me-" he
said, laughing. THAT won't help you.
Even if you did succeed in getting pos
session of these documents they'd be per-
fectly useless. They are only copies. The
originals are in my office"
Tie old bo'sun shook his head in de-
spair. To him a lawyer was terrible
being who could override even an adj
to him to doubt the truth of what Row
land said. At the idea of leaving the old
home into which he had fitted himself
like a hermit-crab into it's shell, the
tears came to his eyes. He brushed them
away as if ashamed, and reIapsed into a
subdued mumbling. Gaskell caught the
sound of one word, "Landshark."
ooh, I'm not such shark as you
think" replied he, picking him up, and
IL ~
rage Come, Bendigo, I don't want to
turn you out. I'll make a bargain with
YOU"
''wot is it /? summat of the devils work
amt it?"
st never do the devils work." Gaske1l
said, wincing somewhat at the mans
phrase "See here, Bendigo, give me those
papers-that pocket-and I'll let you re-
main here until your young master comes
back to settle about this mortgage him.
self And it is in my mind" added Gas
kelI, with emphasis, that your young
master will come back before very long"
eff give you that packet, you'n let me
stay 'ere?" said Bendigo, turning his quid
and rubbing his horny hands.
II promise you L will.
"An' not take the lootenant's quarter
deck from imp
''No, 1 won't He shall have it all in
tact-and his income"
Bendigo shook his head gloomingly. Il
likes to obey ORDERS he said, but in
such a case the late skipper I'D say do
it,
ST am quite sure he would, Bendigo.
Well, what do you say?"
SAY" roared the old salt. 81 can't find
that packet"
Gasken started up furiously. ''You
mean you won't
mo, 1 Doesn't" retorted the bo'sun,
doggedly. 'I can't I've lost 'em-lost it. :"
Lost the packetrt Gaskell walked over
to the old man and shook him like reed.
What do you mean?"
"Wot I say" growled Bendigo, strug-
Cling to get free. Take your 'ands off
me, sir-I tell yer I've lost EN-. 1t all
comes of gettin' drunk 1 got drunk
t'other night, an 1 thought the Cap'n's
packet wasn't safe where I hid it. You
see, Mr. Gaskell 1 thought as you
might be lool5in arter it.
.'Go on-go on.''
.'Weli. 1 i'd it agen when I was drunk,
AN 1 don't know where I've put it. |
carn't think. I've done cap of thinkin'
but it amt no use. The packets in the
'ouse somewhere, but where. [ know no
more than you de-" Then he INDUCED in
the most terrible of groans.
Beside him stood Gaskell. silent. but
with an expression of helplessness and
despair stamped on his handsome face
us this true?" he asked at last in q
thick, hesitating voice.
"Yuss, it's true" said Bendigo. hoarse-
ly. ''Wot 'ud I tell lies for? If anything
I'D make me give that packet to you. it
'ud be your takin' this 'ouse. But carnt
find it; no, I carn't Drunk I wos when
1 id it, an never agen drunk I'll be-
Lord. Whatll the skipper say when 1
meets i'm in Davey Jones Locker"
There was no doubt that the old man
spoke truly. There rose to Rowland
mind wild idea of pulling down the
house. But he dismissed 1t as quickly.
Adopting more cheerful tome. he babe
the old man come and search with him.
Bendigo, now completely cowcd, obeyed;
and together they hunted every nook and
corner for the rest OF the day. Sunset
found them still hunting-and still I'M
successful.
IT'S. no use" he said. cts not to be