Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-10-22

crowd They know me. Listen"
Outside the street broke into a roar at
some taunt of the fishermen high up
in the rigging Il can't run away. and
If those detectives get me I'm ruined"
Boyd clincheG his hands in despera
ton. 81 guess they've got me-" he said
bitterly. There's no way OUT
From what they said 1 don't thins
they know you" Fraser continued.
Anyhow, they wanted Peasley to
point you out When they come off
maybe you can slip EN-"
Boyd seized eagerly upon the sug-
gestion THE wharf is empty-see!
I'll have 70 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 a 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 it's long desk, at the far
Their end of which a 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
q 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 a low voice.
his eyes blazing at a 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 a situation. forced him swiftly
to make the change, saying:
nix. It's your only out Stand
here, see" He indicated a position
beside the rear door. I'm 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.
'Pll take a chance. Goodby."
There was no time even for a hand
shake. Fraser stepped swiftly TO the
door. then strolled quietly out into
the view of the two men, who an in
slant later accOsted him.
Are you Mr.. Boyd Emerson"
The adventurer answered brusQuely,
Eyes. but can't talk to you now"
"You are under arrest. Mr.. Emer-
son."
Boyd waited TO hear no more. The
glass door swung open nOiselessIy IN
der his hand, and he stepped out just
as the bill clerk looked up from his
work, staring out through the other
entrance.
"FingerIess" Fraser's voice was
louder now, as If for a signal. AR
rest me? What do you mean? Get
out of my way"
You'd better come peaceably."
Boyd heard a sharp exclamation
"Get him, Bill,"-and then the sound
of men struggling. He ran, followed
by a roar from the strikers. in whose
full view Fraser'S encounter with the
plain clothes men was taking place. A
backward glance showed him that
Fraser had drawn his pursuers to the
street.
Scarcely had Boyd reached Big
George when a wing Of the besieging
army swept in through the unguarded
entrance and down the dock like an
avalanche leaving behind them the
battling officers and the hungry pack
clamoring for the prisoner.
Drop that freight and get aboard
the best way you cam Boyd yelled at
the fishermen. and. with bound, was
out into the open. crying to Captain
Peasley on the bridge:
Here they come! Cast off. for
Gods sake"
The dozen mon who had been sling /
ing freight on the dock FASTENED up
the gangplank or climbed the tenders,
while the signaIman chung to the lift I
ing tackle and, at the piping cry of his .
was swung aloft out of the /
very arms Of the rioters.
Above. on the flying bridge. Captain /
Peasley was believing orders. At last |
the Bedford Castle was under way.
Even after they were miles down .
the sound Boyd remained at his post, .
sweeping the waters astern in an anX-
lous search for some swift harbor .
craft, the appearance Of which would /
signal that his escape had been dis /
covered
Il won't fcal safe uEtil we are past
Port Townsend" he confessed to Cher
~, who maintained n position at his
side. The police can wire on from
tN CT nd fol- Off