Gilpin observer., 1910-09-08
Dry as tinder."
And palls-lots of balls. and few


! Captain Plum. The old man noted the
fast settled about them hid the added
meaning that passed in curious look
over the others face.
odd way to come in, though-very
odd" continued the old man, CUR
Cling and shaking as II the thought of
1t occasioned him great merriment.
Very cautious. Level business head.
Want to know that things are on the
square. eh?"
That's it," exclaimed Captain Plum.
catching at the proffered straw. In
wardly he was wondering when his
feet would touch bottom. Thus far
he had succeeded in getting but a
single grip on the situation. Some
body was expected at Beaver island
with powder and balls and guns. Well.
he had certain quantity of these ma
terials aboard his sloop, and II he
could make an agreeable bargain
The old man interrupted the plan
that was slowly forming itself in Cap
tain Plums puzzled brain.
Its the price, eh?" He laughed
shrewdly. You want to see the color
of the gold before you land the goods.
I'll show it to you. I'll pay you the
whole sum tonight Then you'll take
the stuff where / tell you to- En-?
Isn't that so?" He darted ahead of
Captain Plum with quick alert move
ment. viii you please follow me.
sir?"
For an instant Captain Plum's inn
pulse was to hold back. In that in
stant it suddenly occurred to him that
he was lending himself to a rank i'm
position. At the same time he was
| filled with desire to go deeper into
the adventure. and his blood thrilled
with the thought of what it might hold
for him.
Are you coming. sir?'
The little old man had stopped a
dozen PAGES away and turned ex-
pectantly.
Il tell you again that you've got the
wrong man, dad"
will you follow me, sir?'
We'll. If you'll have it so-damned
if l won't!" cried Captain Plum. He
science, anyway. If things should de-
velop badly for him during the next
few hours no one could say that he
had lied. So he followed light-heart-
edly after the old man. his eyes and
ears alert, and his right hand, by force
of habit. reaching under his coat to
the butt of his pistol His guide said
not another word until they had trav-
eled for half an hour along twisting
path and stood at last on the bald sum-
nit of knoll from which they could
look down upon a number of lights
twinkling dimly quarter of a mile
away. One of these lights cleaned
above all the others, like a beacon set
among firefies.
That's St. James," said the old
man. His voice had changed. 1t
was low and soft. as though he feared
to speak above whisper.
"St. James,"
The young man at his side gazed
down silently upon the scattered lights,
his heart throbbing in a sudden tu-
multi of excitement. He had set out
that day with the idea of resting his
eyes on st. James. In it's silent mys-
terry the town now lay at his feet.
And that light" spoke the old
man. He pointed trembling arm to-
ward the glare that shone more power
fully than the others. THAT light
marks the sacred home Of the king,"
His voice had again changed me-
tallic hardness came into it, his words
were vibrant with strange excite
ment which he strove hard to con-
ceal. 1t was still light enough for
Captain Plum to see that the old
mans black, beady eyes were startling
ly alive with newly aroused emotion.
You mean"
"Strang!"
He started rapidly down the knoll
and there floated back to Captain
Plum the soft notes of his meaning
less chuckle. dozen rods farther on
his mysterious guide turned into by
path which led them to another knoll,
capped by "a good-sized building made
of logs. There sounded the grating
of key in lock. the shooting of a
bolt. and door opened to admit them
You will pardon me II don't light
up" apologized the old man as he led
the way in. "A candle will be sufi-
cient You know there must be
privacy in these matters-always. Ell :?
Isn't that so?"
Captain Plum followed without re-
ply. He guessed that the cabin was
made up of one large room. and that
at the present time. at least. It pos
sessed no other occupant than the
singular creature who had guided him
to II.
1T is Just rs well. on this particular
night, that no light is seen at the
window" continued the old man as
he rummaged about table for q
match and candle. 81 have little