Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1908-06-20
"Well?" said | inQuiringly.

lNcSH hdNinS the lueSSdSe lruSltu W
a fool boy, and having a cop for your
friend, an maybe Citing this note be
fore you're expected to, you're setting
here genteel-like having agreeable
conversation along with me, instead
of being in company you mightnt like
so well-or maybe floating out toward
Fort Point"
$50 you didn't writer" | said cooily
Il had an idea of the kind. That's
why my friend Corson is smoking his
pipe down stairs"
Mother Borton gave me a pleased
look and nodded. l hoped ! had made
her regret the cruel insinuation in her
application of the proverb to me as
the favorite of fortune.
Il see," | said. Il was to be way.
laid on the road here and killed"
Carried off, more likely. l don't
say as it wouldn't end in KILN we
But, you see, you'd be Of mighty small
use in tellin' tales If you was dead
but you might be got to talk if they
had we in a quiet place"
Good reasoning. But Henry viii
ton was killed.
Yes" admitted Mother Borton
they thought he carried papers, anC
maybe they amt got over the idea yit
It's jest as well you're here instid OF
having little passear with Tom Ter
rill and Darby Meeker and their pals
Well" said /, as cheerfully as
could under the depressing circum
stances, IF they want to kill me,
don't see how | can keep them from
getting a chance sooner or later"
Mother Borton looked anxious al
this, and shook her head
You must call on your men," she
said decidedly. You must have
guards"
by the way" l said, that reminds
me. The men haven't been paid anC
they're looking to me for money"
Who's looking to you for money!
"Dicky Maitland the others, | sup
pose"
"Dicky Nahl?"
why, yes. He asked me for it,"
And you gave it to him." she asked
sharply.
"No-o-that is, | gave him ten dol
lars and told him he'd have to wai'
for the rest. / haven't got the money
from the one that's doing the hiring
yet, so | couldn't pay him."
Mother Borton gave an evil grin
and absorbed another inward laugh.
Il reckon the moneyll come al
right" said Mother Borton, recovering
from her mirth. There's one more
anxious than you to have 'em paid
and if you amt found out you'll have
it right away. Now for guards, take
Trent-no, he's hurt. Take Brown
and Porter and Barkhouse and Fitz
hugh. They're wide-awake, and DOM
talk much. Take 'em two and two
and never go without 'em, night OF
day. You stop here tonight, and IL
git 'em for you tomorrow"
l declined the proffered hospitality
with thanks, and as compromise
agreed to call for my bodyguard in the
early morning. Rejoining Corson,
explained Mother Bortons theory o.
the plot that had brought me thither
she's like to be right" said the pc
liceman. she knows the gang. Now
if you'll take my advice, you'll let the
| rats have your room for this night
and come along up to some foine no
tel"
The advice appeared good, and fit
|
ing my health at the Lick House bar
and calling on the powers of light anc
darkness to watch over my safety a,
| slept.
Whether due to his prayers or nos
my sleep was undisturbed, even b,
dreams of Doddridge Knapp and hi.
charming but scornful daughter; anC
with the full tide of life and business.
flowing through the street in thu
morning hours 1 found myself ono,
more in Mother Borton's dingy eating
room, ordering a breakfast.
Mother Borton ignored my entrance
and, perched on high stool behins
the bar and cash-drawer, reminded m,
of the vulture guarding its prey. Blu
at last she fluttered over to my tabl,
and took a seat opposite.
Your men are here" she said short
| ly. And then, as / expressed m.
thanks, she warmed up and gave m,
a description by which l should know
each and led me to the room where
as she said, they were "corralled."
'By the way" l said, hating cut
side the door, they'll want some
money, l suppose. Do you know how
much?"
They're paid" she said, and pushed
open the door before l could expires,
surprise or ask further questions.
surmised that she had paid them her
self to save me from annoyance OF
possible danger, and my gratitude tt
this strange creature rose still higher
(TO BE CONTINUED)