The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-09-03
CHAPTER yII.-(Continued.)

WAS dSnOTe III Gan Juan, OonSldDlc
explained ingeniously. I'm glad you
came. because it will save me from taking
him, back. That is. unless you decide
that III have to go back, too. did play
pretty rough with you. but your man
had me going strong about that time
You've got to acknowledge that he's an
artist. Let's get out of this What do
you plan to do?''
go out and get Stembridge, and settle
with you
''The word settle. usually refers to
dollars up in the States" Constable said
delicately.
at doesn't pay to buck the detective
Bureau. Constable, and Unauthorized
to take cash for your part-this time"
How much?"
Five thousand dollars and expenses
ut costs money to keep you off ones
ship"
I'm Crusoe of the detective bureau,
and l usually go where / please" was
the dulcet answer
It'll have to go out to the ship to get
80 much money Constable declared re-
signedly.
an have to go out to the ship to get
Stembridge," said Crusoe. We'll so to-
gether"
Where are your men?"
I'm working alone this trip
You can pick up a couple of gen.
darmes to help you, if you think you'll
need help Constable suggested. This
was the galvanie instant
Crusoe glanced at him keenly. He had
been able to pick no flaw in the moments
talk. He was a shrewd man in his line
and schooled, but Constable had rung
true. There is no inclination or the
part Of the public at large to concede
brilliance of acumen to the heirs of mill
ions. unless the sparkling quality has been
exposed in strong light. The suggestion
concerning the gendarmes, and a last
glance into the face of the young man,
vanquished Crusoe's final doubt.
II can handle Stembridge very tidily.
having your moral support" he declared.
Hes too old bird to resist arrest wher
he's once cornered."
Just as you say" Constable sail
swiftly. Turn your rig about and fol-
low on My launch is ahead. at the
Sugar Landing"
1t was not until the other was behind.
and the back of his own carriage shut
ting CT the view, that Constable realized
he had lost his headache. and was drench
ed with perspiration. 1t was now eight.
The ladies' had agreed to be ready at nine,
in case Uncle joey had returned with
the mail by that time. His several err
rands must wait. The present matter
would take the entire time, and must be
done decently and in order. The driver
was commanded to make good speed to
the launch. which was in readiness. Cru
soc dismissed his rig; Constable babe his
driver wait. and the two men boarded.
make her buzz, Ernst" the owner said
70 the sailor in charge. I'm expiring
for drink and a mouthful of clean air"
Crusoe was deeply interested in the
present manifestation of Martinique's eli
mate, and was not readily diverted to the
subject which challenged his companion.
Once launched. however, upon the deal
ings of Nicholas Stembridge, alias Hay
den Breen, he became fluent, and Con-
stable learned that his guest was ''the
Rajah's Diamond among the swindlers
OF civilization.
Stembridge. according TO Crusoe, had
started a Central American revolution in
order to seize range of rich silver hills
had made good, worked the mines, and
sold them, a year later, ''salted to
brine" TO a syndicate of New York CAPT.
talists. He had engineered the Var
mouth-Leams oil syndicate which disor-
dered LONDON inanciers for a day. OF
these and other interesting engagements
Constable learned the launch sped
across the fouled harbor.
what does this prince of manipula-
tors do with all his money!" he asked
finally.
well. you see,'' Crusoe replied .he
has his army TO pay, and he must pay
the men pretty well. for the rumor is
abroad that they would go on the cross
for him. And then he is golden glory
of a spendthrift I've heard that Paris
looks for his second coming as for Mes
slab, since he has promised the Tender
loin punch from the Milky Way.
Here we are. Perhaps you don't think |
was pleased to see your craft lying here
this morning when i came in on the Pan
ther?'
Il presume you were" Constable re-
piled idly.
They were on the ships ladder. Crusoe
walking ahead The sailor above, on the
main deck of the Madame caught
strange gesture from Constable's hand
and a stranger expression from the eye
OF his owner The sailor did not under
stand exactly, but he stood ready for
ANYTHING that might occur. and accord
ingly made haste TO assist when Consta-
bic sprang forward and pinioned the
newcomer about the waist. Crusoe ac-
eepted his defeat nervily, but when his
run was removed and his wrists enclosed
for the time being in his own manacles
be regarded his captor with eyes of hate
in which little reproach was mingled
whats your lay. Constable?" he in
qaired almost steadily. You're smarter
than thought, and deal more crooked"
Listen" the other said hurriedly. II
didn't like to do this, but there wasn't
any way out of it. I've got a lot on my
mind this morning. and you complicated
matters 1t may be that I'm saving your
life. The mountain yonder looks as il
he were about to blow his brains out.
and I couldn't be interrupted until | got
certain ladies safely aboard here from the
town. As for the fascinating person you
call Stembridge. he may be my guest. and
he may not. I'll see you about that later
on. He's been square as plumb-line to
me. You're a good man. Crusoe. and
Breen is. too Your lines are different.
that's all. You'll get your I've thousand
that / promised to-day. Just sit tight,
and call for anything you want. Well
be good friends yet. Captain
Negley. have Mr. Crusoe quartered pleas
sntly aft, and tell Macready TO serve him
with anything he desires. I'll be tack
with the ladies in about an hour. You'll
Of course have the ship keyed for sprint
to Fort de France"
Constable hurried down the ladder, and
an instant later was again in the launch.
which was aimed at the low-hanging pail,
back Of which lay the tortured city. 1t
was now twenty-five minutes to nine He
could make the plantation house slightly
he h0r1r