Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-06-18
CHAPTER VII.-(Continued)

l was ashore in San Juan" Constable
explained ingeniously. I'm glad you
came, because it viii save me from taking
him back That is. unless you decide
that I'll have to 90 back, too. l 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
1T doesn't pay to buck the detective
bureau, Constable and Im-authorized
TO take cash for your part-this time"
How much?"
Five thousand dollars and expenses"
III costs money to keep you off ones
ship
I'm Crusoe of the detective bureau,
and l usually go where l please" was
the dulcet answer.
I'll have to 20 out to the ship to get
so much money Constable declared re-
signedly.
Al nave u EO OuL " the snip " set
Stembridge," said Crusoe. We'll go to-
gether."
Where are your menu
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 galvanic 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 on 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 a strong light. The suggestion
concerning the gendarmes, and a last
glance into the face of the young man,
vanquished Crusoe's final doubt.
Il can handle Stembridge very tidily,
having your moral support" he declared
He's too old a bird to resist arrest when
he's once cornered."
Just as you say" Constable said
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 off 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
xupl,lI fol thn ha
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
to the sailor in charge. Pm expiring
for q 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 a range of rich silver hills !;
had made good, worked the mines, and
sold them, 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 fnanciers for a day. Of
these and other interesting engagements
Constable learned as the launch sped
across the foued 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 we'll, for the rumor is
abroad that they would go on the cross
for him. And then he is a golden glory
of a spendthrift. I've heard that Paris
looks for his second coming as for Mes
siah, since he has promised the Tender
loin punch from the Milky Way.
Here we are. Perhaps you don't think I
was pleased to see your craft lying here
this morning when l 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 a
strange gesture from ConStable's hand,
and a stranger expression from the eve
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-
BILE sprang forward and pinioned the
newcomer about the waist. Crusoe ac-
cepted his defeat nervily, but when his
gun was removed and his wrists enclosed
for the time being in his own manacles
he regarded his captor with eyes of hate
in which little reproach was mingled.
whats your lay, Constable?" he in
CURED 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 if
he we're about to blow his brains out.
and l couldn't be interrupted until I got
certain ladies safely aboard here from the
Town. AS LOT the ldSClLdIlIS person you
call Stembridge, he may be my guest, and
he may not. III see you about that later
on. He's been square as plumb-line to
me. You're good man, Crusoe, and
Breen is. too. Your lines are different,
that's all. You'll get your five thousand
that l promised to-day. Just sit tight,
and call for anything you want. Wen
be good friends yet. Captain
Negley, have Mr.. Crusoe quartered pleas
antly aft, and tell Macready to serve him
with anything he desires. I'll be back
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
after the hour.