Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-11-22
CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER XII.
HALF mile from Captain Peas
ley's ship the rival company
H tenders were loading rapidly
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 ~ they
passed through the picket line. Boyd
had barely seen them comfortably es,
tablished on hoard when up the
ships gangway came "Fingerless
Fraser radiantly attired. three heavily
laden hotel p0rters groaning at his
back. the. customary thick wasted
cigar between his teeth.
"Are you going with usT" Boyd in
quired.
Sure"
"See here! 10 life one long success
sion of surprise parties with your
"Why, I've 0gKsred On this right
along"
'But the ship IL jammed now. There
= no room"
'.oh, I lxsd that up long ago. am
soing 10 bunk With the steward
'Well. Why in the world didn't you
let 10 know you wers coming?"
"say, don't hid yourself. You know
couldn't stay behind" Fraser blew
q 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 it
started" With half embarrassed
laugh and complete change Of man
ner, he laid his hand upon Boyd's
shoulder, saying: pal. amt much
good to myself or anybody else, but I
like you ami I want to stick around
Maybe I'll come in useful yet-you
can't tell"
Emerson had never glimpsed this
side Of the mans nature. and it 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
Zee to wire Mildred Of his success.
'FinSeriess'' 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 1t on the 'lam'-quick!'
"Godw So Marsh had withheld this
stroke until the last moment.
you'd better beat 1t. quickr'
"How? l couldn't get through that
crowd. They know me. LISTEN"
Outside the street broke into a roar at
some taunt Of the fishermen high up
in the rigging. II can't run away. and
II those detectives get me I'm ruined"
Boyd clinched his hands in despera-
ton. II guess they've got me-" he said
bitterly. There's no way out"
From what they said I don't think
they know you," Fraser continued.
Anyhow, they wanted Peasley to
point you out When they come OF
maybe you can slip EN-
Boyd seized eagerly upon the sue.
gestion. THE wharf is empU-see!
IN have to cross it il plain sight"
Through the rear door Of the ONCE
that opened upon the dock proper they
beheld the great door almost entirely
clear. save for 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, it's
counter and it's long desk. at the far
thcr 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 ONCE,
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,
quickv' cried Fraser in a low voice
his eyes blazing at 4 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
hero, zee" He indicated . position
beside the rear door. "In step out
the other way where they can ses
me-" he continued. pointing 10 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.
"I'll take q chance. GooAby."
There was no time even for q hand.
shake. FRASER stepped swiftly to the
door, then strollsd quietly out intc
the view of the two men. who an In.