The Minneapolis journal., 1902-07-05
he paused and leered at Sotheran knowingly.
profits! Hey, captain; prohts-you UNDER

afraid. From pity to love! He knew that
women sometimes took that path.
Yet he saw no other way, and took the
chance. Ellery had been too long at large
sotheran hestated, but finally spoke:
IF I send you a prisoner, how will you
treat him?"
|"You send9" queried Brush.
IF one comes. Jthen-one we both dislike
| "Ellery:" interrupted Brush, leaping to the
conclusion. %.'Ha! you mean Ellery, cap
tain Z"
The captain nodded, What will YOU DO
with hlna?'
Brushs blotched face grew purple with de-
| light ''Let me put my hands on him!' he
| cried. "Shaekled in the small cell, where he
can't lie with comfort--no bedding, q CUP Of
water IN day--oh. captain. let me have
| him!" 81
And he stretched his huge hands. with
their thick fingers crooked, toward the cap
tain, as II that moment to receive his victim.
| His bleared eyes glowed; his teeth, tobacco
stained, showed between his heavy lips. In
new summer clothes, spread with cheap silver
lace, yet already dirty, but for his earnest
ness he would have been laughabfe. The coat
was large, even for his Eurly figure; the cuffs
came down to the red knuckles, and the
skirts Of the coat fell below his knees. Huge
paste buckles shone on his shoes, and sotled
| silk stocklngs5 with 1nussed neckcloth, COM
pleted the costume. His large cooked hat,
laced like the coat, fell to the floor as ho
| stretched out his hands. Intenseness shone
on dis hot face and trembled In his limbs as
| he repeated: ~-r .~S.-5
! Let me have himt" -
why should you want hin!'' asked the
captain, quietly = ~ .+, r. {
| Brush cursed 'The damned whelp, I've
always hated him! He's scorned me since
boy. This very day he threatened me.
Give me the chance--I'll bring him dewn!'
! E{o ~ fa
suggested the captain. l-...-. ~, i
| ''Ay, Tim WILL" said Brush.
/ Roger comes into the estats."t ,.-,--
F. Brush grinned. :
S"And il give you this" began sothsrsn.
drawing out his purse. ! r.
| T"No!" CRIED the tory. "Gad, I'm flush,
want no guineas from you. captain. But put
i him in my hands, let me play with him, and
/ Til not forget the favor. And SO old Tom"
+ Quiet" said the captain, pointing toward
! the other room. ~ : 4.
| May, the lad is singing Brush laughed
loudly. S"'And SO old Tom Ellery plays -fnto
/ your hands and mine; for he can't keep what
he wins. That's right; use his handwriting.
captain, and the profits OURS
\ His handwriting7 The captain nearly asked
the question, You've known him long7" he
( asked instead. - p -
"Longf EAy; and yet it was-only accident
thatsI discovered this trick OF his. Some
asking troublesome questions; / guessed the
| truth, and saved Tom from more mischief.
He was willing to leave New York for Bos-
! ton. I'll wager that when the books are
shown his nephews will get small part of
1 their own property" :
"so?'' asked the captain; and his Gold smile
! fickered. s9 ~
Surely" averred Brush. "tIe would cozen
the skin from a cat and produce her written
consent to the bargain. And df by this time
he's not thorough master OF his nephew g
handwriting, never trust old Tom But how'd
/ you learn his cleyerness7"s a.,.s-e= >.,:.-
Sotheran merely smiled.
"Well'-and Brush responded with gross
er imitation-"never mind. But what's tho
| gane-a letter to the enemy?'' T.. - i
"Mr. Brush!'' warned the captain.
"Well," said Brush hastily, 'its simplest;
that's all. 1Iis own sweetheart would not
doubs the writing; and If you yourself have
an eye that 'way-s ~ ,-.= -.
"Fellow"
7. "rm gone-tm gomez protested Brashs
setting his hat. mot another word. captain.
Take your time; but when you send h1rp--
ah!" and, with d gesture that meant more
than words, the new jafTer departed : = -
WHEN he was gone the captain laughed
, aloud. Il
4 A plan was nnade dor him, sfHnpls and~af
Brush had told the trutA-psrfeot In It's re-
suits. He paused but moment to consider.
10 faIsify the letter would be military Of
dense; to forge new enc almost q capital
crime. And yet, to have evidence which could
be produced Id court, which would brand
IS1lery before all people as SPY and
traitor! The temptation was strong, and, be-
sides, the ,forseries, ii ensatisfaotorys need
not be used = -.
: 'iRoger!" cried sotheran again. ''Fetsh ma
Mr. Thomas Ellery." -
I. Then followed, when Mr.. El1ery hastened
Upon the summons, pleasurable Interview
] Ito the captain 70 probe the trustee as be
!. writhed and prevar1eated, to stuptfy him
J With uncanny knowledge, and then to daz-
: zle with the prospect Of success, was easy
and enjoyable. The old grub-worm gave up
Ehfs secrets, and, ehattering with fear, heard
tie plan disclosed. He wTung his hands,
he whimpered, btit he promised obedienee,
! for Diekie's birthday, as the captain re-
minded; was not far away. Yes, Mr. Ellsry
. would do as he was told. He listened TO d.
fections, took the papers that the captain
gave him. and skunk away. =,
The captain laughed again. He felt pride
: IN His management Of men, and IN bis subtitle
ty What fool had said that too great elever-
ness betrays itself? III I5,-
!. That night while the captain slept at ease,
! Thomas Ellefy labored until dawn. with
: four candles to give light, again and again
he followed copy. Pausing to shfver that 90
i nauch was known, d look at the wall be-
!, youd which his nephew lay would reanina&te
him, through hate, with courage, and he
! would fall to work again. Mumbling dry
lips, straining lis hot and snaarting eyes, be
persevered till he was satisfied; then laid On
Il his steepless eouch until it was time to rise
= And little later the captain smiled as be
! | read the papers, while Ellery stood for hts
! approval. The Doctors letter, with pas:
: sage altered-perfect as the original! And
' Franks note to Warren seemed convincing
| creased and rubbed as If it had passed
: through n1any hands.
"You are sure this fs the paper he uses
: and the wax7',
: Eyes" S#
9 ttAnd ii this'--Sotheran read an h,anbl,
!. note in curious phraseology, addressed Z
: General Gage--''you advise the hour In which
! 10 f1ad him at home?" ~
tYes; tits night at ten.
' The captain was satisfied. my thanks
. be draw1ed. 4
. ., day Of days! Gay was the captain wher
= Ills next visitor came. Wine ran through
!. his arteries-wine Of. Joy, wine Of triumph
The unsuspeeting general had accepted Soth'
|, erar's recommendation Of Hartman as 9
! clever aran to make the arrest. All was II
8 Tiarrifnans hands; lie had been coached; hert
at last was certainty 80 g
And that evening the captain sat at hii
9 window thrilled with anticipation. The moon
8 Ylighted the narrow street from side to side
:. Of the coming spectacle sotheran Would not
;, miss one detail Ealery bound and guarded
:. on his way to jail4-O, this would cure pain
1ro,Iia 1otr,4 oalf the memory OF defeat, would