The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-10-28
Copyright 1906. the Bobbs- Merrill Col


Il guess It woke him up, said an
other and harsher voice. 4 heard
noise in there
You're certain he's there?" asked
the first voice with another chuckle.
Sure, Dicky | saw him go in,
and Porter and | have taken turns to
watch ever since"
Well it's time he came out" said
Dicky. He cant be asleep after that
racket. Say.' he called, Harry
What's the matter with you? If you're
dead let US know"
They appeared friendly, but hes
itated in framing an answer.
Wen have to break down the
door. I guess" said Dicky. Some
thing must have happened" And a
resounding kick shook the panel.
Hold on" l cried. What's
wanted?"
oh" said Dicky sarcasticallv
You've come to life again, have
you?"
We'll, I'm not dead yet"
Then strike light and let us In.
And take a look at that reminder
you'll find wrapped around the rock
/ heaved through the transom.
thought 1t was open" And Dicky
went OFF into another series Of
chuckies in appreciation Of his mis-
take.
"All right" l said I was not en-
tirely trustful, and after l had lighted
the gas-jet l picked up the stone that
lay among the fragments Of glass, and
unwrapped the paper. The sheet bore
only the words:
AT Borton's, at midnight.
Richmond"
This was the name of the agent OF
the Unknown, who had sent the other
note. Dicky and his companion must
then be protectors instead of enemies.
/ fastened to unlock the door, and in
walked my two visitors.
The first was young man, tall,
well-made, with a shrewd. good-hu-
mored countenance, aAd a ready, con-
fi9ent air about him. l had no trou-
BILE in picking him out as the amused
Dicky. The other was a black-bearded
wake of the younger man.
You've led me a pretty chase"
said Dicky. IF it hadn't beer for
Pork Chops here. 1 shouldn't have
found you till the COWS come home"
Well, what's up now?" l asked
why, you ought to know said
Dicky with evident surprise But
you'd better be hurrying down to
BoYton's. The gang must be there by
now"
l could only wonder who Borton
might be, and where his place was,
and what connection he might have
with the mystery. as Dicky took me
by the arm and hurried me out into
the darkness. The chill night air
served to nerve instead of depress my
spirits, as the garrulous Dicky uncon-
sciously guided me to the meeting
place, joyously narrating some anus
ing adventure of the day, while the
heavy retainer stalked in silence be-
hind.
Down near the foot of Jackson
street, where the smell Of bilge-water
and the wash of the sewers grew
stronger, and the masts of vessels
could just be seen in the darkness
outlined against the sky, Dicky sud-
denly stopped and drew me inteC a
doorway. Our retainer disappeared al
the same instant, and the Street was
apparently deserted. Then out Of the
night the shape of a Inan approached
with silent steps;
"Five-sixtee,h." croaked Dicky.
The mar gave a visible start.
"Sixtsen- he .croaked in re
turn
= ANY signs?" whispered Dicky.
Six men went upstairs across the
street. Every one of them did the
sailor-drunk act"
Sure they weren't sailors?"
Well. when six coves goes up the
same stairs trying the same dodge
~ inside Of ten minutes, has a right
to my suspicious. And Darby Meeker
amt been to sea yet that | know.
on"
Darby Meeker!" exclaimed Dicky
a whisper And he drew a whistle
-ader his breath. What do YOU think
that Wilton had no idea he was
Jack from that wild-goose chase YOU
sent him on
1T looks bad" I admitted cautious
ly. 7 dare say he isn't in gooe
temper"
You'll have to settle with him foi
that piece OF business" said Dick
with chuckle.
l failed to see the amusing side c
the prospect I wished l knew wha
Mr.. Meeker looked like
The guard had melted away int
the darkness without another wore
and we hurried forward with due car
ton Just past the next corner wa
a lighted room. and the sound G
H.,