Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1904-04-21
CHAPTE-- VIII.

Joe, only | must give him to under
stand that the next similar Of
fense--"
Eyes the next similar offense-"
"Will not only be followed by dis
pleasure, but something more lasting"
"You need never fear that this I'M
lucky wretch will ever offend again
In the same way. l can guarantee
that, Miss Molly. 1t was all a mis-
take, anyhow, which l can explain.
You see, he had positive idea"
Unfortunately for his peace Of mind,
Mynheer Joe gets no further than this.
They are interrupted. The baron and
a companion come up and Introduce
some subject that all Cairo is talking
about.
Molly looks annoyed, while Mynheer
Joe is secretly fuming. He silently
nurses his wrath, hoping that some
time the chance may come when he
can take it out upon the baron. De-
pend upon it, he will no longer stand
between the other and any vengeance
lie may invite: indeed, it would do
him good to watch a man of about
Tanners build use the baron neatly
up. His ideas have changed, you see.
Then Sandy makes his appearance,
and Joe presently finds himself tete-
a-tete with his voluablc newspaper
friend
There are times when one desires
n confidant; oven Il man likes to pour
his woes into Il sympathetic ear. Myn-
heer Joe's life has been such that, as
general thing, he has been deprived
of this privilege; but he has the feel
ing deep down in his heart all the
same.
In Sandy he sees the friend who may
help him out of the hole. A sugges-
ton will do it, for his brain, usually
so clear, seems strangely muddled just
at present
Besides, the war correspondent
knows Molly and her father very we'll,
having met them III various places.
Perhaps he can discover a loophole
of escape, whereby Joe may crawl out
of his awkward scrape with honor.
Having made up his mind to trust
Sandy. he first of all draws a pledge
from him that he will not reveal n
word of the story or hint at it in any
of his correspondence: all Of which
Sandy, duly impressed with the gray
ity of the situation, solcmnly prom
ises.
Then Joe relates the difficulty into
which his impetuoSity and love of fair
play have led him. nor does he forget
to lay due emphasis on the fact that
he fancicd and truly believed he was
defending the dear old governor him
self.
Sandy holds In as long as he can.
and at last, doubling up, shakes all
over with laughter. 1t is silent, too.
ali but the gurglins sounds as of water
buhblins down rocky ravine.
Mynhecr Joe appreciates the situa-
ton knows he has made n consumnate
donkey OF himself. and although nat
urally tempted TO make use of his
boot, firmly refrans. Two mistakes
do not make right. Sandy has rea-
son to he merry. And, besides, Joe
realizes that he has need of advice
from this sagAciouS w"itcr-this little
man who has, tiguratively, wadcd
knee-dcep in gore at battles, search
ing for news
The great obligation under which
he has. this night, placed Sandy, by
giving him the story of khartoom'S $
downfall ana Gordon's death, must
serve as Il lever to lift him from the
slough of despond. Back of 1t, of
course, is Sandy's personal regard for
his fellow-citzen. That goes n great
way. He patiently waits till the other
has had his laugh out.
Il must beg your pardon, Joe. Aw-
full trick. that of yours. Too impul-
sive hy half, my dear boy. If you
had known the baron rs l do"
Il would have danced to see him
Knocked out" cried Mynhcer Joe. vim.
dictivcly.
"Ho. You've come to it already, eh?
Thought it would be that way. EX-
pect pistols for two between you and
the baron yet. Sly fellow, that man.
They do say he's downcd half dozen
men in affairs Of honor, with sword
or pistol
Aynhccr Joe snaps his fingers.
ITO the deuce with the baron. If
ne ever comes my way, I'll ring his
bcaStly neck rs | would that Of a
chickenw he muttcrs.
7
Despise the fellow myself. And yet
Joe, he's a power in the land, protected
by a hired gang that is paid by Rus
sian gold. When the time comes, Il
1t ever does, for YOU TO lay that plotter
out remember that the moment your
hand touches him it will be Il signal
for several desperadoes to leap into
the game, armed, and ready to take
life. if necessary, in order to save the
emissary who is worth so much to
Russia"
NIynheer Joe gives low whistle.
The deuce! Do you happen to
know these men, Sandy?' he asks in
low tone.
"1wo of them | am sure of. There
Is another who battles me. Without
any apparent motive, cast your eyes
across the room. Do you see that
tall, nt-looking man in full even
ing dress? He Is known here as Colo
mel Taylor, an Confederate officer
In reality, he Is Russian spy, and