The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-03-05
CHATTER XL
TContinuedi

tContinue6.l
Something has evidently befallen
the rascaily Brahmiu since night
closed IN. What dfa you conclude was
1.-THE matterI" he asks
''Well. thought the fellow had evil
dently been barking up the wrong
tree" says Sandy. solemnly.
This time Grimes laughs aloud.
"Goed guess. my boy. He owes the
,goose-egg on his forehead, the halt in
his gait and the bandaged arm to
sene one we know
'%pen to one IL was that Mynheer
1oer' exclaimed the correspondent
quickly.
go up head. young man. You are
an ornament to the guessing class.
Sure enough. it was our Joseph who
handled the Thug without gloves. The
beast was ON q mission for his master.
znd was thrown through the window
by the messenger from Khartoom.'
OF course Sandy pricks his ears up
ut this chance for r sensation, and
plies the other with questions. which
MT. Grimes answers to the best Of
his ability. The story is soon told. and
followed by what he has, this morn
ing. seen the baron do-eXercise his
sail with sword and revolver. as
Though there is work ahead.
"As sure as you live, It's going to be
nip and tuck between these two yet
I'm ready to bet on Joe. but admit
THE case is awfully doubtful, with that
human 6"vil against him. Still. Joes
star Of luck has never yet deserted
him. He's the only foreigner to come
,eut Of Khartoom alive. Let us hope
and pray he will finally oHtwit that
baron and carry OF the prize"
/ Sanity has never been more earnest
In an his life, and If something would
tonay come up whereby he could show
hiS friendship he stands ready to chip
In, no matter what the cost
Thus Joe's friends talk over matters
land eqltieavor to discover some way
Whereby the explorer can be benefited.
They feel sure the baron has made up
bis mind to push matters to the wall.
land that ne will not hesitate about the
means be employs.
/, If Joe h challenged. Of course he
iEasE have the choice Of weapons, time
md place. He can, therefore, make
6he best Of the bargain. The one
knhag they fear Is that the baron may
isrange 1t 80 that the insult comes
tfbsm him. Well, IL SO. Joe will proba-
ltey avenge It on the spot, and not
ikseam Of sending In challenge.
Thus they draw consolation from
NE situation and hope for the best.
Where can Joe have taken himself
tor They fail to find anything of him.
NOR Go they see Tanner and his daugh-
Issr. This delay is not to Sandy's iik-
ing. as he is anxious to send a tele-
gram to the city on the Mediterranean.
engaging his passage for India. and
ltets under the lapse Of time.
The morning has gone and the after
moon With 1t.
II fs evening when the two friends
lsun across Tanner In the hotei-Tan-
uer, who greets them in his usual bois-
tterons. manner, as ne does all his
friends.
Sandy sees his opportunity and
makes the best possible use OF 1t. He
asks the orator his intentions about
travel, and hints at how nice it would
ibe # all Of them could go on the same
lsteasler to India. which proposition
quite takes the other by storm.
Making inquiries as to date Of SAIL
ing and q few other things, Tanner
Ingures on his own plans and then an
Ineances that Sandy may include HIM
'seR and daughter In the party.
Flow about Mynheer JoeT
T you'll have to see him personally" /"
returns the orator. with sly twinkle
On his eyes. as though he can make a
pretty good guess that the party men
toned WIN not be far away when they
leave Alexandria
Where may he be foundr asks
Sandy.
sThink know. You see a party Of
English officers and leading men were
bound to fete the brave boy who
came from Khartoom with the last
news Of poor Gordon. They took him
over to the barracks, where a spread
mad been ordered. I was pressed to
go. but Molly would be waiting for
me at the hotel here, and as I am q
dutiful parent and never dlsappoint
her, gave up the idea"
Sandy has a cloud on his brow.
GLOW long ago since the party went
tnY
more than half an hour. I reckon" !"
replies Tanner. consulting his time
piece.
"They must have reached the wine
and cigars"
"Very probably"
"Mr. Tanner. was the baron pres
entT