Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1910-12-27
The
SILVER
HORDE
By REX BEACH.
Author Of The Spoilers" and
THE Basrier''
CHAPTER XII.
Cssysiaht l9o9 b aa'pss . sss'hsss

l1ALF mile from captain PeaS-
ley's ship the rival company
||IN tenders were loading rapidly
80 with union labor The next
day Emerson and Clyde drove down
to the dock with Cherry in closed
carriage. experiencing no annoyance
beyond some jeers and insults as they
passed through the picket line. Boyd
had barely seen them comfortably es-
tablished on board when up the
ships gangway came "Fingerless'
Fraser radiantly attired, three heavily
laden hotel porters groaning at his
back, the customary thick wasted
cigar between his teeth.
"Are you going with us? Boyd in
quired.
"Sure"
"See here! Is life one long success
sion Of surprise parties with you?"
"Why, I've fggered on this right
along"
But the ship is damned now. There
is no ROOM"
ooh, 1 fixed that up long ago. am
going to bunk with the steward
"Well. why in the world didn't you
let us know you were coming?"
"Say, don't kid yourself. You know
I couldn't stay behind" Fraser blew
cloud of smoke airily. II never
start anything l can't finish. keep
telling you, and I'm going to put this
deal through now that I've got 1t
started" With half embarrassed
laugh and complete change Of man
ner, he laid his hand upon Boyd's
shoulder, saying: pal. I amt much
good to myself or anybody else, but
like you and I want to stick around.
Maybe Ill come in useful yet-you
can't tell"
Emerson had never glimpsed this
side Of the mans nature, and 1t rather
surprised him.
"Of course you can come along. old
man." he responded heartily. Were
glad to have you"
The decks Of the big. low lying
tramp steamer were piled high with
gear Of every description. Ready now
to sail. Boyd went out to the dock Of
fee to wire Mildred Of his success.
"Fingerless" Fraser soon ran in
upon him. They've come to grab you
for killing that striker" he began
breathlessly. There's couple Of
square toes on the dock now. Better
take it on the lam'-quick.'
Cod" So Marsh had withheld this
stroke until the last moment.
Nvou,<l I,Ok<nv, .hoOfS -
"How? couldn't get through that
crowd. They know me. Listen"
Outside the street broke into roar Mt
some taunt Of the fishermen high up
in the rigging. II can't run away, and
If those detectives get me I'm ruined"
Boyd clfnched his hands in despera.
ton. II guess they've got me-" he saI
bitterly. There's no way out"
From Whit they said don't t1inx
they know YOU" Fraser continued.
Anyhow, they wanted Peasley to
point you oct. When they come of
maybe you can slip en-
Boyd seized eagerly upon the sug-
gestion. 1.-The wharf is empty-see!
I'll have to cross it in plain sight"
Through the rear door of the office
that opened upon the dock proper they
beheld the great floor almost entirely
clear. Save for a few tons Of freight
at which Big Georges men were work
ing it was as unobstructed as lawn,
and, although it was nearly the size Of
a city block. it afforded no more means
of concealment than did the little Of
fee itself. with its glass doors, its
counter and its long desk, at the far
ther end of which bill clerk was por-
ing over his task.
They saw at the foot Of the gang
plank two men talking with Big
George. They saw Bait point. the
strangers carelessly to the Office,
whence he had seen Boyd disappearing
few moments before, and turn back
to his stevedores. Then they saw the
plain clothes men approaching.
Here! Gimme your coat and hat,
quick" cried Fraser in low voice,
his eyes blazing at sudden thought.
He stripped his own garments from
his back with feverish haste. Put
mine on. There! I'll stall for you
When they grab me, take it on the
run. Understand"
THAT won't do. Everybody knows
me-" Boyd cast an apprehensive
glance at the arched back Of the bill
clerk, but Fraser, quick of resource in
such situation, forced him swiftly |
to make the change, saying:
mix. It's your only out Stand
here, see" He indicated position
beside the rear door. "Tll step out
the other way where they can see
me-" he continued, pointing to the
wagon way at the right. "Savvy?
When they grab me you beat it and
don't wait for nothing"
But YOU
Already they could hear the foot
steps of the officers.
"Hll take chance. Goodby."
There was no time even for hand
shake. Fraser stepped swiftly to the
door. then strOlled quietly out into
tie view Of the two men. who an in
slant later accosted him.
care you Mr.. Boyd Emerson?"
The adventurer answered brusquely,
Yes. but l can't talk to you now"
"You are under arrest, Mr.. Emer-
SON."
Boyd waited to hear no more. The
glass door swung open noiselessly un-
Ter his hand. and he stepped out jus.
IS the bill clerk looked up from his
work, staring out through the other
entrance.
'Fingerlcss" Fraser's voice was