The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-04-01
.LaAPTEr XII.
[Continued.l

the matter!' he asks.
"Well, l thought the fellow had evil
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
some one we know"
Ten to one it was that Mynheer
boew exclaimed the correspondent
quickly.
SO up head, young man. You are
hn 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 Ilhartoom."
OF course Sandy pricks his ears up
at this chance for a 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-exercise his
skill with sword and revolver, as
though there is work ahead.
las sure as you live, it's going to be
nip and tuck between these two yet.
I'm ready to bet on Joe, but 1 admit
the case is awfully doubtful, with that
human devil against him. Still, Joe's
star of luck has never vet deserted
him. He's the only foreigner to come
l0ut 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 his daugh-
ter. This delay is not to Sandy's lik-
ing, as he Is anxious to send 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 it.
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 it. 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 few other things, Tanner
figures ON his own plans, and then an
nounces that Sandy may include him
salf and daughter in the party.
.suAxr oil nut Mvnhaor Too S0
You'll have to see him personally
returns the orator, with sly twinkle
in his eyes, as though he can make O
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 were
bound to fete the brave boy who
came from Khartoom with the las
news Of poor Gordon. They took hin
over to the barracks, where spread
had been ordered. 1 was pressed tt
go. but Molly would be waiting fol
me at the hotel here. and as am {
dutiful parent and never disappoin
her. gave up the idea"
Sandy has cloud ON his brow.
How long ago since the party wen
IMP
More than half an hour, 1 reckon,
replies Tanner. consulting his time
piece.
'They must have reached the win'
and cigars"
Every probably"
"Mr. Tanner. was the baron pres
ent?"
Certainly. That man is every
wherer' 1t is evident that he does no
bear malice against the baron. or a
least fails to show 1t.
Sandy and Mr.. Grimes exchange
glances.
at will be done there?" says tn,
lati er.
NO doubt of it, sir" replies the cor
respondent.
whats all this about?" asks Tan