Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-08-04

the giants remarkable metamorphosis
now inquired its meaning.
"That's him!" repeated George, his
eyes glazing redly. That's Willis
Marsh"
"Where?" Emerson whirled curious
ly; but there was no need for George
to point out his enemy, for one Of the
strangers stood as IL frozen, with his
hand upon the back of his chair, an
expression Of the utmost establishment
upon his face. A smile was dying from
his lips.
Boyd beheld plump, thick-set man
Of thirty-eight in evening dress. There
was nothing distinctive about him ex.
cept, perhaps, his hair, which was of a
decided reddish hue. He was light OF
complexion; his mouth was small and
of rather womanish appearance, due
to the full red lips. He was well
groomed, we'll fed; in all ways he was
typical city-bred man. He might have
been broker, though he did not carry
the air of any particular profession.
That he was, at all events, master
of his emotions he soon gave evidence.
Raising his brows in recognition, he
nodded pleasantly to Bait; then, as if
on second thought, excused himself to
his companions and stepped toward
the other group. The legs of Georges
chair scraped noisily on the tiles as he
rose; the sound covered Fraser's quick
admOnition:
Take it easy, pal; let him talk"
How do you do, George? What in
the name Of goodness are you doing
here? I hardly recognized you.
Marsh's voice was round and musical,
his accent Eastern. With an assump-
ton of heartiness, he extended a
white-gloved hand, which the big, I'M
couth man who faced him refused to
take. The other three had risen.
George seemed to be cropping for re-
tort. Finally he blurted out, hoarsely:
Don't offer me your hand. It's
dirty! It's got blood on it!'
"Nonsense!" Marsh smiled Lets
be friends again, George. Bygones are
bygones. l came over to make up with
you and ask about affairs at Kalvik.
If you are here on business and can
help"
you dirty rat" breathed the fish
erman.
Very we'll; if you wish to be obsti-
nate" Willis Marsh shrugged his
shoulders carelessly, although in his
voice there was metallic note. Il
have nothing to say" He turned very
bright and very curious pair Of eyes
upon Georges companions, as If seek
ing from them some hint as to his
victims presence there. 1t was but
momentary flash of inquiry, however,
and then his gaze, passing quickly
over Clyde and Fraser, settled upon
Emerson.
mr.. Bait and had business mis-
understanding, he said smoothly,
(which l hoped was forgotten. 1t
didn't amount to much"
At this Bait uttered choking snarl
and stepped forward, only to meet
Boyd, who intercepted him. "
Behave YOURSELF" he ordered.
Don't make scene" and before the
big fellow could prevent it he had
linked arms with him and swung him
around. The movement was executed
so naturally that none of the patrons
of the cafe noticed it, except, perhaps,
as preparation for departure. Marsh
bowed civilly and returned to his seat
while Boyd sauntered toward the exit,
his arm which controlled George tense
as iron beneath his sleeve. He felt
the fisherman's great frame quivering
against him and heard the excited
breath hating in his lungs; but pos
sessed with the sole idea Of getting
him away without disorder, he smiled
back at Clyde and Fraser, who were
following and chatted agreeably with
his prisoner until they had reached
the foyer. Then he released his hold
and said quietly:
YOU'D better go up to your room
and cool off. You came near spelling
HE tried to shake hands," George
mumbled, with me! That thieving
whelp tried to shake" He trailed off
into an unintelligible jargon Of curses
and threats which did not end until he
had reached the elevator. Here Alton
Clyde clamored for enlightenment as
to the reason for this eruption.
THAT is the fellow we will have to
fight" Boyd explained. HE is the head
Of the cannery combination at Kalvik,
and bitter enemy of Georges. If he
suspects our motives or gets wind of
our plans, we're done for"
Clyde spoke more earnestly than at
any time during the evening well,
that absolutely settles 1t as far as
am concerned. This is bound to end in
q row."
"You mean you don't want to join
us?" e.
Don't want to! Why, I've just got
to, that's all. The ten thousand is
yours, but if you don't take me along,
I'll stow away"
CHAPTER XII.
Wherein Boyd Emerson Is Twice
Amazed.
Nearly a month had elapsed when
Emerson at last expressed to George
the encouragement that for several
days had lain silently in both mems
minds.
eft looks like failure doesn't If ~