Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1908-11-06
CHAPTER VII.-(Continuedl

was ashore in San Juan" Constable
explained ingeniously. I'm glad Won
came, because it will save me from taking
him back. That is, unless Won decide
that III have to go back, too. l did play
pretty rough with you, but your man
mad 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 Tm-authorized
TO take cash for your part-this time"
How much?"
Five thousand dollars and expenses"
It costs money to keep you off ones
ship"
I'm Crusoe of the detective bureau,
ana usually go where / please" was
the dulcet answer.
I'll have to go out to the ship to get
so much money" Constable declared re-
signedly.
III have to go out to the ship to get
Stembridge," said Crusoe. We'll 20 to-
yether."
Where are your menT
I'm working alone this trip"
You can pick up couple of gen.
darmes to help you, if you think you'll
need help" Constable suggested. This
was the galvanic instant.
l'ruSOp planped or hin, LaopI, H.
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
brllliance 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
Il can handle Stembridge very tidily,
having your moral support" he declared.
Hes too old 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
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 bade his
driver wait, and the two men boarded.
Make her buzz, Ernst" the owner said
to the sailor in charge. Pm 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 a range of rich silver hills ; |
had made good, worked the mines, and |
sold them, year later "salted to a |
brine" to a syndicate of New York capi-
talists. He had engineered the Var
mouth-Leams oil syndicate which disor-
dered London fnanciers for a day. OF |
theSa apd othar iptaractino opoa1n
Constable learned as 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, che
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 a golden glory
Of 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 1
was pleased to see your craft lying here
this morning when 1 came In on the Pan
ther?"
~ 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 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
BILE sprang forward and pinioned the
newcomer about the waist. Crusoe ac-
cepted his defeat nerviy, 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.
NWhst,s your lav Copst hlo ~ ha In. |