Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-12-31
!, TIL
,BOatSWain'S
- Mate y
By W. W. JACOBS
Copyright, 1905. by wa,.am ". Jacob.


Mr.. Travers hesltated and pushing
his cap back. scratched his head.
II gives you the two quid afore you
60 into the house," continued the
boatswain, hastily following up the
impression he had made. "I'd give 'em
to you now II I'd got 'em with me.
That's my confidence in you. l likes
the look OF you. Soldier or sailor,
when there Is mans work to be
done give 'em to me afore anybody"
The soldier seated himself again and
let his bundle fall to the ground. go
on he said slowly. write 1t out fair
and square and sign it and I'm your
man."
The boatswain clapped him on the
shoulder and produced bundle OF pa
pers from his pocket There's letters
there with my name and address on
'em," he said. Its all fair, square
and aboveboard. When you've cast
your eyes over them, I'll give you the
writing
Mr. Travers took them and, relight-
Ing his pipe, smoked in silence, with
various side glances at his companion
as that enthusiast sucked his pencil
and sat twisting in the agonles of
composition. The document finished
after several failures had been re-
trieved and burnt by the careful Mr..
Trayers-the boatswain heaved a sigh
of relief and, handing 1t over to him,
leaned back with a complacent air
while he read it.
Seems all right" said the soldier,
folding 1t up and putting 1t in his
waistcoat pocket. "Tll be here at II
tonight"
Eleven 1t Is" said the boatswain
briskly, "and, between pals, here's arr
dollar to go on with"
He patted him on the shoulder again,
and with caution to keep out Of sight
as much as possible till night walked
slowly home. His step was light, but
he carried face In which care and
exultation were strangely mingled.
By 10 o'clock that night care was In
the ascendant, and by II, when he dis
cerned the red glow Of Mr.. Travers'
pipe set as beacon against a dark
background Of hedge, the boatswain
was ready to curse his inventive pow
ers. Mr.. Travers greeted him cheertly
and, honestly attributing the fact to
good food and couple Of pints Of beer
he had had since the 'boatswain left
him, said that he was ready for any
thing.
In silence. There was no moon, but
the night was clear, and Mr.. Travers,
after one or two light hearted attempts
at conversation, abandoned the effort
and fell to whistling softly instead.
Except for one lighted window the
village slept in darkness. but the boat
swain, who had been walking with the
stealth of red Indian on the warpath,
breathed more freely after they had
left 1t behind. A renewal Of his an
tics little farther ON appraised Mr..
Travers that they were approaching
their destination, and minute or two
later they came to small Inn stand
ing just of the road. IAN shut up and
Mrs. Waters abed, bless her." whis-
pered the boatswain after walking
carefully round the house. "How do
you feel7"
'Tm all right said Mr.. Travers. Il
feel as If I'd been burgling all my life.
How do you feel7"
4'Narvous," said Mr.. Benn, pausing
under small window at the rear Of
the house. 'This is the one"
! Mr.. Travers stepped back few
PAGES and gazed up at the house. All
was still. For few moments he stood
listening and then rejoined the boat
swain.
"Goodby. mate" he said, hosting
himself on to the sill. death or vic
tory"
The boatswain whispered and thrust
a couple of sovereigns into his hand.
"Take your time; there's no hurry" he
muttered. ~ want to pull myself to-
gether. Brighten 'er enough, but not
too much. When she screams I'll come
In"
Mr.. Travers slipped inside and then
thrust his head out Of the window.
won't she think it funny you should
be SO handy?" he inquired.
"No; It's my faithful art" said the
boatswain, keeping watch over her
every night: that's the ticket. She
won't know no better"
Mr.. Travers grinned and removing
his boots handed them out to the 9th
er. 1--WE don't want her to hear me
till I'm upstairs" he whispered. "Put
'em outside, handy for me to pick
up"
The boatswain obeyed, and Mr..
Travers, who was by no means a
good hand at darning socks, shlvered
as he trod lightly over stone floor.
Then, following the instructions Of
Mr.. Benn, he made his way to the
stairs and mounted noiselessly.
But for slight stumble halfway up
his progress was very creditable for
an amateur. He paused and listened
and, all being silent, made his way to
the landing and stopped outside
door. Despite himself his heart was
beating faster than usual.
He pushed the door open slowly
and started as it creaked. Nothing
happening, he pushed again and,
standing Just inside, saw by small
ever silhouetted against the easement
that he was in bedroom. He lis
+anad for the sound of breathing. but