Los Angeles herald., 1906-10-07
SsEaEII


looked over the stern, but could dis
tinguish nothing in the shadow beneath the keel.
what is it?" he cried out angrily.
For answer 0uten pointed to the shore on
either side. Home saw long thin line run
from the bank disappear in the water, reappear
on the other side of the creek, and continue its
course to the opposite bank 1t was just such
an obstacle as selfish landowners the Thames
put across the backwaters which run through their
territory-a stout chain hung from shore to
shore. Holme uttered savage oath and scowled
at the Red House. which lay one hundred and
fifty yards from them.
''I'll teach the scoundrel that the creeks don't
belong to him" he muttered. Cant we break
clear of the cursed thing, Outen? We shall smash
our rudder"
1--WE can pull in bit of cable sir, but not
much. The bottom of this creek doesn't hold
very well, and the tides running like mill race
We want as much chain as possible"
"Well, let's pull her clear of this cursed chain.
Then we'll go ashore and talk to Mr. Jordison .
Holme had very good reasons for avoiding the
man, but he forgot them in the heat of his an
ger. He would reach this upstart that to buy
the land on either side of the creek conferred no
right to the waters that flowed between the
banks. He did not realize that the meeting
was exactly the object Jordison had in view
They hauled in some of the anchor chain, stow
ed sail, and rowed ashore in the dinghey. 1t
was now past o'clock in the morning, and
there was no light to be seen in any part of
the Red House. The two men waded I'D to the
bank through the mud, and, making their way
to the door, kicked on it with their heavy boots
The noise reverberated through the house. but
no one stirred within. Holme stepped back a.
and o-o1 - fla ..-1I
empty window frames
They walked round to the other side of the
house and thundered at the back door For five
minutes they kicked at the woodwork. until thew
had knocked in the two bottom panels.
Then suddenly a streak of yellow light came
from behind them and threw their shadows ON
the wall of the house. They turned round and
saw that it came from an open door in the STA
bles, and that the dark figure of a man was sill
houeted against it. They left the house and
walked toward him.
As they drew near he took the lantern fo,,,
the table behind him and let it hang from his
hand, so that the light fell full on their faces
and his own was in darkness.
VINO are your" he cried, "and what the ,;1
do you mean by making disturbance at this
time of night?"
Holme recognized the voice, but he would GER
tainly have been surprised if he could have seen
the face, which was lit with smile of triumnb
and betrayed none of the ANNOYANCE that tba
words implied.
Il am Arthur Holme" was the sharp reply,
"and my boat is caught up some cursed OBJ
stacle that you have put across the creek You
have got to remove it at once"
The creek is mine. The land on either side
is mine"
"You are evidently a stranger to the customs
of these parts, You acting against the law,
Mr. Jordson, and the chain must come down"
81 W "isk the law, but | have no wish to
hinder your boat. 1 will have the chain lowered.
He stepped inside the door and closed it be-
hind him. Holme and Outen waited outside till
he reappeared with Lipp and Jenny.
my two servants will go down with your man, -
said Jordison, "and loose the chain. In the
meantime want a word with you, Mr.. Holme.
If you will inside the harness room, and
excuse my rough hospitality, will give you a
glass of good whisky and really passable cigar"
''I have no wish to talk to you," Holme re
piled. 81 want to get under weigh at once"
'You have lost the tide now. You cannot clear
East Wick salterns. You will have to wait at
least five hours. ] have something important
to say to you, and if you refuse to come in with
me, well, you certainly won't get past the chain
unless you bring some more men to help you"
Holme shrugged his shoulders. A few min
utes' conversation was of no importance one way
or the other. He particularly wished to make
the sea by daybreak.
"Ill come" he said abruptly, and went in
side with Jordison.
The other three men disappeared round the
corner of the house. Jordison poured out two
glasses of whisky, and, Offering cigar to his
guest, lit one himself.
''Now, then, Mr.. Holme," he said, looking the
young man straight in the face, 81 am going
to ask you question. / asked it you before,
and you Departed somewhat unceremonously
without answering it. This time it will take a
more precise form. Tell me what you know
of the death of Richard Behag.'
Holme was silent. He had expected this ques-
ton and had already resolved to give no answer
But he did not expect what was to follow.
.'Tell me what you know of the death OF
Richard Behag," Jordison repeated slowly, "and
tell me whether you know anything of Arthur
Sterious, who is said to have killed him."
Holme half rose from his chair, and his face
grew white. But he recovered himself.
''You seem to know all about it, Mr.. Jordison "
he replied, Il can't tell you more than what
is common gossip in Valparaiso. Why are you
so interested in the stoTy?"
Jordison looked at the speaker from under his
shaggy eyebrows.
81 was great friend of Sterious' father" he
said "He has written to me, and asked me to
search for his son in England New facts have
come to light which have proved sterious to be
innocent. Can you tell me anything about him? ?"
Holme smiled; the story trihe weak.
"Why should / know anything?"
Arthur Sterious is in this neighborhood, y
Jordison answered. and watched the effect Of
this well-aimed shot
"Reallyl don't know the gentleman
For answer Jordison pulled out gold watch
and flung it on the table. Holme glanced at it