The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-06-10
CHAPTER vl.-Continueo.

Well have to break down the
door. guess" said Dicky. Some
thing must have happened" And
resembling kick shook the panel
Hold on" cried. What's
wanted"
oh" said Dicky sarcastically.
You've come to life again, have
you?"
We'll, I'm not dead yet.
Then strike a light and let us in.
And take a look at that reminder
You'll find wrapped around the rock
| heaved through the transom. L
thought il was open" And Dlcky
went off into another series of
chuckIes i'm appreciation of his mis-
take.
All right" | said | was not en-
tIreiy trustful. and after | had lighted
the gas-iet | picked up the stone that
lay among the fragments of glass, and
unwrapped the paper. The sheet bore
only the words:
AT BortOn'S, at midnight.
Richmond"
This was the name of the agent CT
the Unknown. who had sent the other
note. Dicky and his companion must
then be protectors instead of enemies.
| fastened to unlock the SOsSs and in
walked my two visitors.
The first was a young man, tail,
well-made. with Z shrewd, Sood-hu-
mored countenance, and a ready, con
fident air about him. | had no trou-
bic in picking him out as the amused
Dicky. The other was black-bearded
giant. VINO followed stolidly in the
wake of the younger man.
You've led me pretty chase,
said Dicky. If il hadn't been for
Pork Chops here, | shouldn't have
found YOU till the COWS come home.
Well. what's up now" l asked.
Why. you ought TO know, said
Dickv with evident surprise. But
you'd better be hurrying down TO
Rorton's. The sang must be there by
now"
could only wonder who Borton
might be, and where his place was.
and what connection he might have
with the mystery. as DiCky took me
by the arm and hurried me out into
the darkness. The chill night air
served to nerve instead of depress my
suirits. as the garrulous Dicky uncOn-
sciousiy guided me to the meeting
place. joyously narrating some anus
ing adventure Of the day, while the
heavy retainer stalked in silence be-
hind.
Down near the foot of Jackson
street. where the smell Of bi,ge-water
and the wash Of the sewers grew
stronger. and the masts Of vessels
could lust be seen in the darkness
outlined against. the Say. Dicky sud
denly stopped and drew me into d
doorway. Our retainer disappeared at
the same instant. and the street was
apparently deserted. Then out of the
night the shape of man approached
with silent steps.
"Fiye-sixteen," croaked DicIy.
The man gave a visible start.
"SiXteen-five," he croaked in re
turn.
ANY signs" whispered Dicky.
Six men went upstairs across the
street. Every one of them did the
sailor-drunk act"
Sure they weren't sailors?"
Well. when six coves goes up the
same stairs trying the same dodge.
all inside of ten minutes. has right
10 my suspicious. And Darby Meeker
amt been to sea yet that l knows
OF
Darby Meeker!" exclaimed Dicky
in whisper. And he drew a whistle
under his breath What do you think
of that. Wilton? had no idea he was
back from that w:ld-goose chase you
sent him on
1t looks bad" l admitted cautious
ly. Il dare say he isn't in good
temper
You'll have to settle with him for
that piece of business said Dicky
with a chuckle.
failed 10 see the amusing side of
the prospect l wished l knew what
Mr. Meeker looked like.
The guard had melted away into
the darkness without another word.
and We hurried forward with due eau
ton. Just past the next corner was
"a lighted room. and the sound Of
voices broke the quiet.
We pushed open the door and walk
ed in. The room was large and Ginsy.
the ceiling low. Tables were scattered
about the sanded floor. A bar took up
the side of the room next the en-,
trance and a general air of disreputa,
bility filled the place.
About the room. some at the tables,
some at the bar, were numbers Of
stout, rough-looking men, with few