Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-13
THE GOLDEN HORSESHOE.
By ROBERT AITKEN.
Copyright The JohnN Company
Bv ROBERT AITKEN.


can tied to it's tail-and. as soon as he
had sized me up, he talked to me so cum
ningly that I consented to run this show
for him. I was feeling pretty cheap at
the time. and of course. I jumped at
the chance of little healthy excitement.
I'd be jumping still. I suppose. if hadn't
found out thing or two about the same
Barr He's one Of those exported Scotch
them I'm the old country. and they're
about the most dangerous devils l know.
''All he'd tell me was that 1t will be
risky venture. If we get nipped. by the
way. there won't be much chance for us.
It's outside civilization. you know. and
we leave the Stars and Stripes behind
when we sail. I'm to take twenty men
down to San Benito. under sealed orders.
when he says Go" and act on these
orders when l get there. That's his side
of the question. and signed
ut sounds interesting" Allardyce com
mented. and helped himself to more
coffee.
They're having the time of their lives
scrapping with each other in San Benito
at this identical moment continued
Meggs But that doesn't mean that were
going to liberate any oppressed republics.
No. sir. I made Barr swear by all he
holds holy that we're to have. nothing
whatever to do with any of their private
dog fights. Ours is one of those high
class side shows which are warranted not
to bring a blush to the cheek of limo
cence. If we end up with our backs
against brick wall and bandages over
our eyes. 1t won't be because we've mis-
taken our mission in life to that extent.
And the only weak point in the whole
program is that old Barr is most
monumental liar
But can't you find out Corbyn in
terrupted. and Meggs held up protest
ing hand.
Half minute Phil he requested.
Let me get it all off my chest in one
spasm. What do you think I'm chasing
about New York with blush rose In my
hand for. anyhow! I've been working
my mind double shifts of late. That's
what's the matter with me. And what
I've decided to do is to lay sheet
anchor to windward of my slippery
friend while the fair weather lasts. I'm
willing to go there blind myself but I'm
not going to throw away twenty other
mems lives to no purpose. I'll tell you
what my idea is. I'm going to form
syndicate to insure us all square deal.
Now. how are you fellows fixed? VIII
you come in with me?''
'Tll take five cards. said Allardyce.
casually. my present hand isn't good
enough to go on with
Corbyn merely nodded, and Meggs whis-
tied in great glee. A waiter came for
ward in haste. He sent the man off for
cigars and resumed in a quieter key.
There's boat sails for La Boca this
afternoon How would it suit you to drift
into San Benito on her and find out how
the land lies? Then if there's any hankey-
pankey on tap we'll be able to turn the
tables on Barr before it's too late. 1t
will be if we have to cross the mountains
without knowing where we're at"
Were your men. jerry" Corbyn said,
briefly. after quick. interrogative glance
in the direction of Allardyce. Moth
ing would suit us better. and I've
been in San Renito before. too. ! know
T q al
the capital
Meggs sat back. almost overcome by
emotions of joy.
what a continuation he cried. phil
my rose was inspiration"
There's another man we might get to
join u.s. suggested Corbyn, still hoping
that Dennis O'Dare would turn up in
time. Would three be too many in the
advance guard?'
"I'll leave that to you Meggs reioined.
without thinking twice. land remember
expense is no object. I'll give you
check in advance for any amount you
like. No. it's not my own money. for
made Barr cash up handsomely in ad-
l told him I'd take what steps thought
fit to insure our safety, and. of course,
he couldn't raise any objection to that.
Mont forget either that If we ever
get back. the Northern Corporation will
honor our pay drafts. i haven't trusted
take Bars word for paper Of pins.
You'll start today. then. and I'll be
after you with twenty Of the bravest and
best the minute he slips the leash. I
only wish were going with you. but It
won't be long till we join forces. Wait
half a minute
He left the table. and shortly came
back with slip of gray-green paper.
which COrbyn pocketed as Allardyce
f1icked it across to him. Having lit
r.fY urn tn nj
three we're well accustomed to act on few
words. and the more salient features of
Meggs' sketchy program were quite suff1-
cient for the other two. Their part at
country, and they found no occasion for
further question as to such simple duty.
Allardyce spoke lightly of his wander
ings since he had left the English army.
with some vague idea of earning his
bread and butter by means Of the pen in
aightforwardly his own anomalous po-
sition as poor artist and the son of A
rich man who did not believe in artistic
idleness. Meggs entertained them both
with London gossip. but did not again
refer to his reason for leaving that city.
II met your sister one day at Hurting
ham. Phil" he remarked. and Corbyn's
face lit up
Where is Doll at present." he asked
eagerly. II had to tell her not to write
quarrel with her about me-
''She and her husband should be here in
New York very shortly Meggs told him.
"Tney are coming over in 'f,eir own boat
and intend TO stay on this side for some
months. Landguard has resigned from
the army. She made him. And he's bit
restless. with nothing to do. What corps
was he in, do you know. Allardyce?"
"Landguard was in the gunners. same
as myself Allardyce answered. Il
didn't know his wife was your sister.
Corbyn, old chap. I've never met her.
hut used to know Landguard we'll. He's
in this with us like shot. If he had had
the chance and were still a bachelor"
Yes. Landguard's all right said Cor
byn, and rose. Come on. Allardyce. It's
time we began to get busy, IL we're to
sail in the afternoon.
They parted with Meggs after a few
final words as to future arrangements.
and left him. greatly delighted with the
success of his scheme, to the task of re-
cruiting a few of his rank and file from
among the many who had written Barr of
Mobile. Allardyce beamed on Corbyn as
they bowled smoothly down Broadway
in the hanson they had hailed.
Luck has turned at last, old chap"
and what difference it makes having
Meggs to deal with instead of some Span
ish cutthroat as we expected. I'm rather
surprised. all the same. to find him play
ing at soldiers of fortune"
"Poor jerry! COrbyn rejoined, soberly.
Hes harder hit than you'd think. AL
lardyce, whoever the girl was. He doesn't
squeal but he's feeling it very badly. l
can't understand He has more than