Gilpin observer., 1908-07-02
81 GEORGE rlCkELL MR-

Scarlet Silas, 1 arrest you in the
name Of the United States govern
ment!" he ses.
Bandy and Sam closed in on him,
expecting he might show fight, but the
pirate was meek as you please.
TN CO." he ses. 81 won't make
any trouble. 1 was meanin' to give
myself up anyhow"
Where have you cached them dia-
| monds?" asks Barram.
They're in a belt round my waist
inside my vest," ses the pirate.
Fine business" ses Barram. "We'll
go straight to your room, lads. I'll
notify the head of our Chicago Of
fee tomorrow morning, and then we'll
take him to Washington"
When they reached the room they
stripped the pirate, and there were
the diamonds, monstrous big ones,
sparklin' like fire.
Two hundred thousand dollars
worth" ses Barram, smackin' his
lips. Lord, what easy haul. Fetch
OuL lue money DO8.
Bandy unlocked his trunk and per-
dooced the box with the $1,000 in it
belongin' to him and Sam. Barram
emptied the diamonds atop Of the
bills and laughed.
Yesterday that bunch Of green
backs looked big to you lads" he
ses, but they're small 'longside of
the easy money you made tonight"
After awhile Barram and the pris-
oner turned into bed, Bandy and Sam
having agreed to sit up for the night.
They was too excited over their good
luck to sleep, anyway, and wondered
that Barram could snore away like he
did. Early the next morning Barram
tied up the pirate with ropes hand
and foot so that he couldn't make a
move and told the boys to come
along with him to make his report.
He locked the door himself and put
the key in his pocket.
When they got to the federal build
ing he left them waiting at the main
entrance while he went to the chiefs
office to see if he could receive
them.
Il may be delayed, lads" ses he.
'The chiefs a busy man, and fel-
low can't get to him right away, some
times"
They waited for it might a bin half
an hour, but Barram didn't come
back. After another half hour passed
Bandy got restless.
"Wot right has he keepin' us
standin' round this way" ses he.
Come along and we'll look him up
They went around hunting for the
secret service office and didn't ge,
much satisfaction from anyone they
asked. Finally they ran into a po
liceman.
''I'll ask him." ses Bandy. ut don't
matter tellin' him-now we've got
Scarlet Silas under lock and key"
The copper listened to their story
and started to laugh.
''Wot you fellows need is couple
Of guardeens." ses he. Scarlet 81
las be hanged; there amt no such
person. You've been buncoed, that's
wot. Better hike back to your room
and see wot's left of your property.
Bandy and Sam turned pale as
ashes and broke for their lodgings
under full sail. The door Of the room
was open and so was the trunk and
money box. The diamonds was still
there. but the greenbacks and pirate
was gone. Wot's more, Barram, the
insultin' old devil, had left a note
sayin' he regretted leavin' them as
they was a couple Of as nice, honest
confidin' young chaps as he ever
met. He said the diamonds was the
best make Of phonies on the market,
and worth four dollars Of any mans
money. The note ended by sayin'
that him and Scarlet Silas was Oh
to the South seas again, and II ever
the boys got tired Of lake cruising to
look him up and they'd always be
sure of good jobs as pirates.
Bandy and Sam amt pals any more.
each holdin' the other responsible for
bein' took in. Some folks said it was
their own fault for bein' so greedy for
blood money, but l dunno as they
oughter be blamed for that Nearly
all men has faults, even bridge
lenders.