Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-18
THE GOLDEN HORSESHOE.
By ROBERT AITKEN.
Copyright 1907. The John Mcbride Company

most invisible friend and they jumped
ashore with great good will
II like dry land. said Corbyn aside &c
Allardyce. Don't YOU"
Il love it answered the other, shut
fling gleefully on solid earth.
When you're quite done cog dancing:
Challoner interrupted perhaps you II
lend a hand to house the boat. 1t would
be awkward for US if"
They turned and saw the man Miguel
laying roller uown on the gently sheiv-
ing strip of sand that lay between the
waters edge and the black wall Of rock
behind them. All four laid hands on the
little craft and she ran smoothly up tine
ways to her hiding place. low cave al
the cliff foot. 4 heavy door. swinging or
well-oiled hinges. shut her in as soon as
Miguel had retrieved the rollers. Come
this way and step lively, said Chaiioner
turning along the beach.
They tramped along the shore for ter
minutes. and then turned up steep slope
which took them TO a level road running
parallel at that height with the curve OF
the coast Challoner called a halt till he
could be sure that no passerby would OBJ
served them. and they crossed 1t quickly
Another climb. but longer. brought them
to a squat building. which occupied a
little plateau mere terrace IN the rock
face. overhung by the heights above
proa enable only by the path they had
followed
This is my shack. Come right In, he
said Hospitality. and threw open the door
Of snug. lamp-lit living room. whicf
opened on to the wide. trellised porch
"I'll fish out some dry kit for ycI. and
Shucks, They hit you. did they? That
was why you pulled me aside when we
were at close quarters with those pirates
It's your right arm. too. That bullet
would have come close to corpsing me
If you hadn't
Its nothing" Corbyn broke in. look
ing down at the blood stained handker-
chief he had managed to bind about his
wound in the darkness. and Challoner
said no more. He set the other down In
a chair. brought in warm water and a
case of surgical implements. cut the coat
sleeve clear, and dOctOred the hurt very
deftly.
'Clean through he announced. on ex-
animation. 4 nickel-nosed bullet. If il
had been soft lead I'd have had to saw
your arm off. my friend. AS it is. you'll
be all right in few days. but 1t will be
a bit stiff and sore tomorrow"
He knotted the bandage he had applied
with :dexterous fingers. and. as Corbyn
rose led them through to an inner room,
threw open a capacious cupboard. slip
ped back panel and pulled forth great
variety" of costumes.
Il sometimes have to dodge about in dis
guise. Suit yourselves as to cut and
color. Id recommend these dark things
and a soft sombrero. They're less likely
to attract attention than the clothes
you're wearing. and I've ruined your coat
Ing by the time you're ready
He nodded approvingly when they APP
peared in their change of clothing.
You'll pass all right in the crowd, "
said he. ''St in
Over e welcome meal he had provided
they were too busy with healthy appe-
tites to talk much. and afterward their
host explained very frankly that he
could not keep them longer.
I'm here myself on sufferance." he in
formed them. apologetically. land l can't
afford to be under the slightest suspicion
of completely in any matter which does
not Immediately concern the Wireless.
know you won't bear me any Ill will on
that account and I've had to send Meggs
word to the same effect. Yes. l had news
could in consequence. I don't know
what his game is. and l don't want to be
told. If you know-but l hope you and
he won't get into any trouble. I'd do
more than good deal for Meggs. but
I'm drawing pay from the Wireless. and
1t won't allow me to have any friends
while I'm working. in case the authorities
here turn sour on me.
That's why I must ask you to forget
that you've met me. and all you've seen.
especially the boat and where I keep it.
Henceforth we're strangers in a strange
land. m sorry but it's ABSOLUTELY neces-
sary. and. if Gods good to us all, we'll
maybe meet again In Manhattan. Then
I'll be better able to prove that I'm not
ungra teful to you for having saved my
life. Corbyn. And. apart from that. I
owe Landguard your brother in aw
I
him pretty well. I met him in Egypt.
DO you need any money: Talk
straight about it.
They shook their heads
Got your guns?"
They nodded.
You'll find oil and rags and mixed
ammunition in that cigar box. Help
yourselves to anything you find useful
He left them for a few minutes and
when he returned they were once more
ready for action.
The road is clear" he said. and es-
corted them to the foot of the path keep
ing carefully in the deepest shadow
Il hate this hoe-and- corner work" he
muttered. as they shook hands at the
roadside, "but-you can understand my
position. Turn to the right, and the
high road leads straight to La Boca Look
after yourselves there, and bear In mind
that the natives. who ought to know
what they're talking about. call it La
Boca del Tigre.
Goodbye. goodbye. No. you don't
owe me a word of thanks I'm in your
debt. That's how we stand. Good luck
to both of YOU
He hurried after them. Give Meggs
my membranes when you see him -
said he. Il don't know where I may be
by then. And I almost forgot to tell you
that you'll find fairly safe quarters at the
Golden Eagle, If you mention Rose to
the fat woman you'll find there. | fixed
that with her. 1t was all could do for
you.
Good little sort Of old Samaritan" Al
lardyce soliloquized. as he and his friend
followed the dusty road at round pace
II almost wish he were with US in this
Newspaper corresponding is soulless
business.
What kind of place is La Boca del
Tigre. Corbyno The English of it's the
Tigers Mouth. eh?'