Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-01-19

A lEhDOh1 I EttNJNV "Pooh.' said Sercombe. "Only struck his head on a log. He's all right. Don't waste time over such swine" And he made for the boat, where I could per ceive Montgomery.
 I stopped him. Understand this, Captain Sercombe," I said-'I am not here to break innocent heads or to i'm peril honest lives, and if, as you say and-1 hope, this poor man is not dead, Twill have him taken where he can be cared for
 Sercombe laughed harshly. You are so internally particular, Mir. Great orex. But have your way"
 "Sery well" said I; then I will take him over to the house yonder." We carried the unfortunate man , aboard the boat and pushed her oil, Montgomery bunting to the jetty. There we landed the body. Suddenly Ser combe stopped. ..E
 This is my affair" he said, mot yours You won't be able to show your faces after this if you're mixed up in it. Besides, may get definite particu- lars as to Hood if I go up'
 He shouldered the unconscious form of the policeman as he spoke and de parted, staggering under his burden. In little he came back. Its all right" he said easily. T told the farmer that it was friend of : mine who had met with an accident and he has promised to look after him till I return I am to call in an hours time" He laughed And I've found out that Hood left half an hour ago, having borrowed the old gentleman's boat. There's some good in charity aft CT all" And once more he laughed. l At the word Montgomery and Shep- pard bent to the oars. and the nose of the boat shot downstream. ] CHAPTER XXI.
 {" A ND now said I to Montgon-
 " cry, please explain. think Fl we none of us contemplated a boating expedition. Where gre we going:
 Hoods got on before us you know" he explained eagerly. Captain Ser combe and I got away safely and reach ed this ferry twenty minutes before you. but the boat had gone.-' i You mean Hoods boat:" asked. 4 That's it." Sercombe broke in. T reckoned we might nab Hood in the act but we came too late by ten min utes. I recognized the place from his description. For the matter of that, it's easy to find, but there was no boat. That meant we must carry the expedi- tion a stage farther ere we could drop on him. Presently Montgomery and I happened upon this tub a bit lower down. She's no great shakes, but she'll do to come up with him."
 And when we do:" said Sheppard ] T don't want to put too fine point on 1t. sir" said Sercombe. but 1t means cutting cut, and if we are not prepared for cutting out, why, we had best turn the nose of the boat upstream again
 There was silence after this, but Sheppard and Montgomery applied their oars, if anything, trife more smartly.
 We're not going to turn back now. if that's your meaning, captain" said. We only want to understand where we are and what We have to expect"
 T think. MT. Greatorex, that you may expect treasure" said Sercombe, with a laugh. Hoods got load aboard. and he's no thought of being followed. What he's after don't quite know. for he never got to the end of his explanations. owing 10 that Greek af- fair. but he's going down the river. that's certain. and he'll paddle none too quick. having cargo. On the other hand. he does not want daylight on him. He'll make where he's bound for by night and under the stars. Now, I dare say, you gentlemen know these parts better than I. What point do you put on it:''
 Give him six hours I suggested and that will fetch us into the early morning. Montgomery, how far do you reckon a boat would get by in the morning.?
 Montgomery paused on his oar and considered.
 Tt ought to get near Portagree." said he at last.
 And where may that bey' asked Sercombe.
 "In the mouth of the se-ern-ln the estuary"
 An said Sercornbe thoughtfully Now. wonder what will happen then. And l should like to know what my friend Hood has got in his head
 The sky was heavy with low belly ing clouds. and scarce a breath of air stirred. We raced between the banks as it were through a wild noorland and some scattered voices of the dark reached us. A little after there was a far and a shock that sent us all sprawl ing in the bottom of the tub.
 Serconbe. who was in the bows. put out his arms.
 Its a boom" he said This Is ( piece of private water.
 We shall have to carry the boat round" said Sheppard
 Did Hood, do you sBppose! asked
 No: I think not said sercombe I'd like to see the party that would cary that cargo. Yes: you're right Where Hoods been we can %.