Gilpin observer., 1908-07-02

him on the quiet Sam colored up.
for he saw the old fellow was on to
Bandy's nudge. but before he could
say word the stranger laughs quite
jolly like.
That's the correct ticket" he ses,
nodding at Bandy. II like to see
sailormen careful of their money, be-
ing as they have to work so hard
for 1t. You don't need to spend any
thing with me; I'm we'll paid for what
l do and have plenty of loose change.
II your mate has come into bit Of
coin, as l heard some of the boys
sayin', the best thing he can do is to
salt it away and not waste 1t"
With that he called for more re-
freshments and paid the waiter out
of big bundle of bills that made
Bandy's and Sans eyes fairly bulge
out of their heads when they seen it.
Must be a good business. yours"
ses Bandy, ''judgin' from the size Of
your roll"
"Why, yes" ses the old fellow, 'it
pays well. and l hope it'll pay better
still before l get ready to retire into
private life"
Might l ask wot business you're
in?" ses Bandy, quite polite.
The old chap smiled again and
coughed.
Before l tell you that" he ses,
you must both promise not to betray
me. I've taken a fancy to you boys
and feel like trustin' you, but man
has to be careful in my line"
Bandy and Sam was all ct up with
curiosity, and they swore earnest to
keep their mouths shut. The old fel-
Ter looked around as IL to make sure
nobody was piping him of. and tosses
'em a card with the name Austin Bar
ram on 1t in nice printed letters.
Down in the corner was a picture
of screamin' eagle with the words
~. s. Secret Service" underneath.
Did you ever hear of Scarlet Silas,
the pirate terror of the South seas?"
whispered Barram, leanin' across the
table. They both shook their heads.
"I thought pirates was out Of date"
ses Bandy. Anyway l never heard
Of 'em shippin' on the lakes"
"Of course you didn't" ses Barram.
This chap is too big highHyer to
go foolin' round a duck pond even II
his trade was carried on here, which
1t amt No. boys, Scarlet Silas Is a
bloody minded rufiian that has defied
the European governments, robbin'
vessels in the Pacific ocean, cutting
the throats of men. women and chill
dren. sinkin' ships with all hands on
board, and done all such devilments
for years."
i've heard of such things" ses
Bandy, who remembered reading lot
of hair-raisin' sea stories when he was
kid. but thought they was all
done away with"
That's right" ses Barram. This
here Scarlet Silas is the last of the
bunch. and he quit the game ten
years ago and settled down. But the
British government hit his trail the
other day and he lit out of India and
started for the States. There's re-
ward of $4,000 for him, dead or
alive. Two weeks ago / got the tip
that he had come to Chicago, and
here am. I'm closin' in on him now,
and figure that may want some help.
That's why I picked out you fellows.
You're young and strong and got lots
Of nerve. II you agree to 60 in with
me, l can promise you $4,000 to cut
up between the two OF you when we
land our man."
Were on" ses Bandy and Sam
in the one breath: "but why don't you
have the police help your"
mot me-" ses Barram. II amt biz.
40 years in United States service for
nothing. They'd want all the credit of
the capture and most Of the reward.
It's different with you boys. can
see by your faces that you're honest,