The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1901-11-22

to read 1t. 1t was more than probable
that he had thrown both papers away
when he rifled the belt, paying atten-
ton only to the tidy sum he had Sc
cured by his crime.
In this case it would only be neces-
sary to find the old miners friends AMI
tell the truth, to which h second mate
could certify. There was another pre-
caution, too, which might be taken, ami
that was to obtain a sworn statement
from the captain of the Seabird as to
the identity of both Tom and the sec
ond officer, together with the fact that
John Avery Was the formers
and had died at sea.
Tom easily obtained this In writing
and he then told his secret to Green,
who listened in open-mouthed amaze
ment, but with a kindling face that
showed he had no doubt Of the abso-
lutte truth of what he heard.
Now" concluded Tom, that's the
whole story. It may be a wild goose
chase, but there it is. VII you 60 IN
with me and hare and share alike? /
know the papers by heart, and they
are probably lost, SO we will be all
right. What do you say?"
Say? Why, what would any mar
say? I'm with you as long as I have a
drop of blood left! OF course I'll go,
but T have hanged little mon
Don't talk money to mel" interrupt
ed Tom, quickly. II know what you
cent. I have $4,000 left, and the first
thing is for you to take half of 1t. I'll
feel safer then"
Don't you think anyone knew you
had them papers?' asked his new com
rade after awhile. Sure you never
mentioned them or showed them?"
Sure" replied Tom. II did not men
ton them to a single person, and they
were never III OF the belt except when
self"
WAS the money you lost in the belt,
too?"
"Yes-no, come to think of 1t, I had
it In my pocket that night. 1t was
lucky put the most Of 1T in the safe
that very day"
piled Tom, a little surprised at the per-
sistency 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,"
II tell you"
Delay a bit!" broke in Green. LET
me finish my calculation. Two heads
are better'n n The old man gave the
ApoPSAS ySo oooaAo SAAPs yOA4
stateroom?"
Tom nodded, and the other went on:
Now, who could ave seen them
when they was in your room? Let's
count up. The cap'n. the mate and me
is the only ones hat had. any chance,
cause no one else is allowed in the
cabin beside the zoe The cook went
to 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 Stub you,
for he amt that kind, and IL he was he
wouldn't have told you to put your
money in the safe and felt SO bad over
your hurt.
What are you driving att" 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 mattel"
Green paused and looked triumphant
ly at Tom.
""The mates room was next. to yourn.
He might have seen them. He was in
his room when you came OF and said
the old may was dying. He skipped out
the same day o vas hurt and give no
notice. He never come nigh you at all.
He
"What do you mean?" demanded
Tom, starting to his feet. as for the
first time the others meaning began to
dawn upon him.
HE hated you like poison, and"
Yes! Yes! 1 see 1t ALL" cried Tom.
clenching his fists. II see why he left
SO suddenly. ! had ticket in my
pocket by an excursion train for Seat
tie! 1t raj only good that day! He.is
the robber. I could swear to It! How
did you come to think Of 1t SO quick p
"'Cause the chap that did 1t would
have taken your money out Of your
pocket and lit out. He wouldn't have
took no chances hunting for q belt I'M
less he knew there was there. I see
1t must be some one that knew Of the
papers, and then the rest was easy.
Now come down aboard n we'll see
II 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 a narrow crack in the partition
which separated 1t from TOMS room.
1t needed but a glance to show that 1t
had been recently enlarged.
That's what did the business" he
continued, "and he's off for that gold
mine. He's got q big start, and what's
to prevent his passing himself of as
MIR. Tom Scott on those people?"
HE couldn't do that!" exclaimed
Tom.
why not? was there any descrip-
ton OF you In the paper the Die man
gave you? How are they to know"
But I've got a statement in my
pocket from Captain Coffin, telling
who we are. and all about lit" insisted
Tom.
What good lis that when the mate is
on the spot, perhaps, with his docu-
ments, and how can you make anyone
believe Q are the right chap? Look
here, Scott. there's only one thing to
do. We've got to go after that son OF
a sea cook, and take the law in our
own hands. Something will turn up to
help us OUT. After all, I don't know
but that there 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 anything Apout his family
or business. Now, / dare say the old
chap told you a good many things
about himself, didn't he?"
Yes" replied Tom. eagerly, The told
me all about his family, and I can soon
convince anyone that the mate is lying
II he claims to be me. I've got the cap
tain's statement, you know, sworn to
before q Justice OF the peace. and all
witnessed. That mate will have q hard
time to get round that
.Mebbe soss' was the doubtful reply,
but It's a Wild country where we're
going, don't believe papers will