Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-11-04
HARPER u BROTHERS

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this trouble, and now you either get US
out of it or buy my stock"
You know that 1 can't buy your
stock"
''Then I'll sell wherever 1 can. I've
been stung. and 1 want my money.
Only. remember, 1 offered the stock to
you first
You've got a swell chance to make
a turn in Kalvik,' said Fraser. ''Why
don't you take it to Marsh?"
ct willr declared Alton.
you wouldn't do a trick like that?"
Emerson questioned quickly.
why not? You won't listen to my
advice. You're playing with other peo-
pies money, and 1t doesn't matter to
you whether you win or lose. If this
enterprise fails 1 suppose you can pro-
mote another"
Get OUT" Boyd ordered. in such a
tone that the speaker obeyed with ludi-
crous haste
Did you know Cherry before you
came to Kalvik?" BOYD asked. search
ing his companions face with a look
the man could not evade.
"Only casual"
'where?"
'eNome-the year Of the big rush"
During the mining troubles, eh?"
Sure"
What was she doing?"
Winding her business. She's good at
that" Fraser's eyes had become green
and flshy, as usual.
what do you know about herT'
well. 1 know that lot of fellows
would go through for her at the drop
of a hat. She could have most any
thing they've got. I guess. Most any
Of them miners at Nome would give
his right eye or his only child, or any
little thing like that, if she asked it,
What else?'
well. she was always considered a
right good looking party
Yes, yes; Of course. But what do
you know about the girl herself? Who
is she? What is her history?'
''Now, sir. I'm an awful poor detec-
tive" confessed "FingerleSS' Fraser.
i've often noticed that about myself
II 1 was the kind that goes shopping
around into other peoples business,
listening to all the gossip I'm told, I'd
make n good witness. But 1 amt. No,
sir! I'm q rotten witness
Despite this indirect rebuke, Boyd
might have continued his questioning
had not George Bats heavy step
big fellow entered.
What did you find at the traps"
asked Emerson eagerly.
1.-The fish struck in this morning, but
our trap is corked" He wrenched off
his rubber boots and flung them saw
agely under a bench.
What luck with the boats?"
Not much Marsh's men are trying
70 surround our gill meters, and we
amt got enough boats TO protect our
selves" He looked up meaningly from
under his heavy brows and inquired,
How much longer are we going to
stand for this?"
What do you mean? I've got men
out hunting for new hands,"
You know what l mean" the giant
rumbled, his red eyes flaming You
and l can get Willis Marsh"
Emerson shot quick glance at Fra
ser, who was staring fxedly at Big
George.
Hes got us right enough, and it's
bound TO come to n killing some day
so the sooner the better" the fisher
man ran on. I'VE can get him tonight
If you say so. Are you in on itT''
Boyd faced the window slowly. while
the others followed him with anxious
eyes. Inside the room a deathlike ST
lenCe settled.
Moreover, Mildred Wayland was soon
to arrive-the yacht was expected
daily-and she would find him a fail.
ure. What was worse, she would find
that Marsh had vanquished him. She
would turn elsewhere-perhapS to the
very man who had contrived' his IN
doing. At thought Of this a sort of
desperation seemed TO master him; he
began to mutter aloud.
What did you say" queried Bait.
AZ said that you are right. The time
is close at hand for some sort of a
reckoning" answered Boyd in a harsh.
strained voice.
"Goodr'
Emerson was upon the point Of turn