Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1904-05-19
,CHAPTER XI.
TCOntinued.1


IDENTIFY been barking up the wrong
tree" says Sandy. solemnly.
This time Grimes laughs aloud.
"Good guess. my boy. He owes the
goose-egg on his forehead, the halt in
his gait and the bandaged arm to
tome one we know"
Ten to one it was that Mynheer
Joe" 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 mission for his master,
and was thrown through the window
by the messenger from Iihartoom,'
OF course Sandy pricks his ears up
at this chance for sensation, and
plies the other with questions. which
Mr.. 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-eXercisc his
skill with sword and revolver, as
though there is work ahead.
"As sure rs 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 dovil against him. Still, Joc's
star of luck has never yet deserted
him. He's the only foreigner TO come
out of Khartoom alive. Let us hope
and pray he will finally outwit that
baron and carry off the prize"
Sandy has never been more earnest
in all his life, and if something would
only 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
and endeavor to discover some way
whereby the explorer can be benefited.
They feel sure the baron has made UP
his mind to push matters to the wall,
and that he will not hesitate about the
means he employs.
If Joe Is challenged, of course he
may have the choice of weapons, time
and place. He can, therefore, make
the best of the bargain. The one
thing they fear is that the baron may
arrange 1t so that the insult comes
from him. Well if so, Joe will proba
bly, avenge it on the spot, and not
dream of sending in a challenge.
Thus they draw consolation from
the situation and hope for the best"
Where can Joe have taken himself
to? They fail to find anything Of him.
nor do they see Tanner and bis daugh
ter. This delay is not to Sandy's lik
ing. as he is anxious to send a tele-
gram to the city on the Mediterranean,
engaging his passage for India. and
fretS under the lapse of time.
The morning has gone and the after
noon with 1t.
1t is evening when the two friends
run across Tanner in the hotel-Tan-
ner, who greets them in his usual bois-
ferrous manner, as he 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
be if all Of them could go on the same
steamer to India, which proposition
quite takes the other by storm.
Making inquiries as to date of sail
ing and a few other things, Tanner
figures on his own plans, and then an
nounces that Sandy may include him
self and daughter in the party.
"How about Mynheer JoeT
you'll have to see him personally"
returns the orator, with sly twinkle
in his eyes, as though he can make a
pretty good guess that the party men.
toned will not be far away when they
leave Alexandria,.
Where may he be found?' asks
Sandy
Think know. You see party Of
English officers and leading men We're
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 spread
had been ordered. | was pressed to
go, but Molly would be waiting for
me at the hotel here. and as l am a
dutiful parent and never disappoint
her, gave up the idea"
Sandy has cloud on his brow.
''How long ago since the party went
tn!'
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
ent?
Certainly. That man s every
wherew 1t is evident that he does not
bear malice against the baron, or at
least fails to show 1t.
Sandy and Mr.. Grimes exchange
glances.
sit will be done there?" says the
latter.
mo doubt of it, sir" replies the cor
respondent
whats all this about?" asks Tan
ner, noticing their peculiar mods and
glances.
"We're off to see If Joe goes with
rs or stays in Cairo"
And with the words the two friends