Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1910-09-08

bowling coolly.
II am Captain Plum, OF the sloop
Typhoon," he said. Il called al your
home a short time g and was d.
rected to your office. AS a stranger
on the island | did not know that you
had ar office or / would have come
here first"
"Ah!"
The king drew his right foot back
half a pace and Lowed SO low that
Nathanier saw only the crown of his
hat. When he raised his head the
aggressive stare had gone out OF his
eyes and a welcoming smile lighted
up his face as he advanced with ex-
tended hand.
e" am glad to see you. Captain
Plum
His voice was deep and rich, filled
with that wonderful vibratory power
which seems to strike and attune the
hidden chords Of ones soul. The mans
appearance had not prepossessed Ma.
thaniel, but at the sound of his voice
he recognized that which had made
him the prophet Of men. AS the warm
hand Of the king clasped his own
Captain Plum knew that he was in the
presence of a master of human desti-
MES, a man whose %ponderous red
visaged body was simply the crude
instrument through which spoke the
marvellous spirit that ha, enslaved
thousands to him, that had enthralled
a state Legislature and that had hyp-
Noticed a federal jury into giving him
back his freedom when evidence
smothered him in crime. He felt him
self sinking in the presence of this
mar and struggled ~fiercely to regain
himself. He withdrew his hand and
Strengthened himself like a soldier.
Il have come to you with a griev-
ance, Mr.. Strang," he began. "a
grievance which | feel sure you will
do your best to right. Perhaps you
are var that sOIne little time ago
about two weeks back-your people
boarded my ship in force and robbed
me Of several thousand dollars worth
Of merchandise
Strang had drawn a step back.
Aware of IT." he exclaimed in a
voice hat shook the room. Aware
of it," The red of his face turned
purple and he clenched his free hand
in sudden passion. Aware of it," He.
repeated the words, this time so gent
ly that Nathaniel could scarcely hear
them, and tapped his heavy stick upon
the floor.
mo, Captain Plum, l was not aware
Of it. If | had been" He shrugged his
thick shoulders. The movement, and
a sudden CLEAN of his teeth through
his beard, were expressive enough for
Nathaniel to understand.
Then the king smiled.
Are you sure-are you quite sure,
Captain Plum, that it was my people
who attacked your ship? If SO, Of
course you must have some proof"
I'VE were very near to Beaver is
land and many miles from the main
land" said Nathaniel. 1T could only
have been your people,"
"Ah!"
Strang led the way to a table at the
farther end of the room and motioned
Nathaniel to a eat opposite him.
I'VE are a much prosecuted people,
Captain Plum, very much prosecuted
indeed" His. wonderful voice trem-
bled with a subdued pathos. 1--WE
have answered for many sins that
have never been ours, Captain Plum.
and among them are robbery. piracy
and ever murder. The people. along
the coasts are deadly enemies to us
who would be their friends; they
commit crimes In our name n we do
not retaliate. 1t was not my people
who waylaid your vessel. They were
fishermen, probably. who came from
the Michigan shore and awaited their
opportunity of Beaver island. But |
shall Investigate this; believe me.
shall investigate this fully, Captain
Plum"
Nathaniel felt something like a
great choking fist shoot up into his
throat, 1t was not a sensation of fear
but of humiliation-the humiliation of
defeat, the knowledge Of his own
weakness In the hands OF this man
who had so quickly and so surely
blocked his claim. His quick brain
saw the futikty of argument. He
possessed no absolute proof and he
had thought that he needed none,
Strang saw the fash Of doubt In his
face, the hesitancy In his answer: he
OWNED the working of the others
brain and in his soft voice. purrine
with friendship. he followed up his
triumph.