Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-02-17
ORY OF THE SECOND STEWARD

Take me to Stacks shop-in a hurrN
I want TO take a look at It,"
Clancy. the louuacious. asked no qucs>
lions. He arose quickly and started along
the wharf They tramped after him until
Water street was reached. All three turned
into the narrow thoroughfare lined on each
side with great brick buildings. giving II.
at that unearthly hour the appearance OF
a great canyon There and there some
low shack OF a storeroom squatted in abiect
squalor between its imposing neighbors.
They walked for five blocks and halted be-
fore a small wooden structure streaks OF
light shone from between the cracks in the
door.
Here II is" said Clancy.
Barnes made repsonse, but, doubling
up his right fist. pounded vigorously on
the door. subdued sounds of voices
came from within. The chief knocked n
second time While the sound Of his
blows was still echoing on the crisp early
morning air the door was cautiously
opened few inches and scared face
looked out.
what do you want?' piped shrin
voice.
Barnes never replied. but pushed his way
roughly into the room, followed by Clancy
and Forward. A gasoline lamp fastened
to the wall spread a CHASTITY light over tho
narrow apartment. Coils of rope lay about
the floor and ships lanterns hung from
the ceiling.
Mr.. Jimmy Slack fronted the chief, fear
and anger alternating in his light blue
eyes.
Now that you've broken into my place."
NJ cried, 'rd like to know what you
want"
You're not very civil to customers" re-
piled Barnes irrelevantly
Customers" replied the river scavenger.
"Yes customers" replied the old man in
his smoothest tones. I'm here TO make q
purchase"
"A fine hour for that" rejoined Slack.
surily
"Oh, but this is an emergency-and I
believe you are an emergency man."
what do you want?" suspciously.
"A life preserver," blandly.
81 haven't any," said the river man,
doggedly.
whats this?" cried the chief and
making a quick movement. he pulled
piece of canvas from bulky pile of stun
in the corner of the room. All eyes
turned In that direction.
There in all of its symmetrical beauty,
lay the circular life preserver.
That's not for sale" cried the water
man. There was fear in his eyes and his
lips turned white.
"But I'll take Il Just the same" and
Barnes, STOPPING down, picked up the round
white object.
Slack gave n snarl like wild animal and
grabbed the other side of the life preserver.
There was a ripping sound; the rotten COW
ering gave way. Some cork dust and ex-
celsior flew out first and then ne soddeu
plank flooring of the shack was covered
with a glttering heap OF precious pearls
and cut rubies TranshXed with horror.
the waterman stood there unable to move
A fearful oath came from the rear OF the
ROOM A heavy door in the back of the
place was thrown open and the second
steward of the Vulture stood on the
threshold.
Barnes. his eyes glittering but perfectly
self-possessed. bowed low.
my dear Mr.. Tallman, we greet you
Our lines seem to cross tonight. We"
He got no further The second steward
made movement for his hip pocket A
glistenng barrel shone in the dim lamp
light. simultaneously Clancy jumped for
ward and struck at the shining object. Z
There was a quick, sharp report. When
the smoke cleared away the chief was
standing there, erect and uninjured. d.
rectIy behind him an ugly bullet was inn
bedded in the wall The second steward
was on his back on the floor with Clancy
clutchng viciously at his throat
By the time the second steward and
his accomplice were put behind the bars
and the gems were placed in the safe OF !
the customs house the sun had risen and
the city was awake. Half an hour later
the chief and his two companions were
in the rooms overlooking Washington
square.
You had close call" ventured For
ward. q
IT never had a closer one" admittedal
Barnes THAT bullet whispered in mhe
ear"
Clancy was silent. The chief, loohiN
at him, suddenly jumped up. with a gin
of surprise The next minute he had ty-t'
water and bandages and was washing pt, I
clotted blood fOm the right hand os sena
young assistant
cts only a scratch" smiled Clancy,
feehly: st will be all right in a day or So"
Barnes said nothing, but he pulled out
a big red handkerchief and began blowing
his nose with unnecessary vigor. Ten min
utes later the assistant was sent home Ito
take a good long snooze"
The chief stood looking out OF the vim
dow and watched Clancy as he hurried
through the square. He seemed uncbn-
scious of the presence OF Forward. His
eyes remained glued on the rapidly as
appearing form Of his dapper little assist-
ant. Barnes rarely showed emotion Even
now he merely sighed. Then. as il talking
10 himself he said in low voice that was
merely a whisper:
And yet some people wonder why love
that boy"