Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1910-10-14
CHAPTER l-Continued.

BE seated, Captain Plum; right
Jver there-opposite me- Sol"
He continued for a moment to
smooth out the creases in the letter
md then proceeded to read it with as
much assurance as though it's owner
we're a thousand miles away instead
If within arms reach of him. Cap
ain Plum was dumbfounded. He felt
he hot blood rushing to his face and
lis first impulse was to recover the
p crumpled paper and demand some
hing more than an explanation. In
he next instant it occurred to him
hat this action would probably spoil
whatever possibilities his nights adj
venture might have for him. So he
seld his peace. The old man was so
intent in his perusal of the letter that
he end of his hooked nose almost
ICraped the table. He went over the
lin, partly obliterated words line by
inc, chuckling now and then, and APP
Darently utterly oblivious of the 9th
IRIS presence. When he had come to
he end he looked up, his eyes glitter
ng with unbounded satisfaction, care
bully folded the letter, and handed 1t
% Captain Plum.
That's the best introduction in the
world, Captain Plum-the very best!
Ho, holt couldn't be better. I'm
y, and rested his ogreish head in the
palms of his skeleton-like hands, his
allows on the table. $50 you're going
sack home-soon?"
Il haven't made up my mind yet,
lad responded Captain Plum, pulling
cut his pipe and tobacco. you've read
the letter pretty carefully, l guess.
What would you do?"
"Vermont?" questioned the old man
shortly.
That's it."
Well, I'd go, and very soon, Cap
lain Plum, very soon, indeed. Yes, I'd
hurry!" The old man jumped up with
the quickness of a cat. So sudden
was his movement that it startled Cap
tain Plum, and he dropped his tobac-
20 pouch. BY the time he had recov-
FRED this article his strange compan-
ION was back in his seat again holding
leather bag in his hand. Quickly
he united the knot at its top and
poured torrent of glittering gold
pieces out upon the table.
Observation-Disclosures and gold" he
Eurgled happily, rubbing his thin
hands and twisting his fingers until
they cracked. "A pretty sight, eh, Cap
tain Plum? Now, to our account! A
hundred carbines, Ell? And thou
sand of powder and ton of balls. Or
IS it in lead? 1t doesn't make any diff
rerence-not a bit. It's three thou
sand. that's the account, eh?" He fell
10 counting rapidly.
For full minute Captain Plum re-
NAMED in stupefied bewilderment, ST.
fenced by the sudden and unexpected
turn his adventure had taken. Fasci-
nated, he watched the skeleton fingers
as they clinked the gold pieces. What
was the mysterious plot into which he
had allowed himself to be drawn?
Why were a hundred guns and ton
and half of powder and balls wanted
by the Mormons of Beaver island?
;nstinctively he reached out and closed
his hand over the counting fingers of
The old man. Their eyes met. And
there was q shrewd, half-understand-
ing CLEAN in the black orbs that fixed
Captain Plum in an unflinching chal-
ienge For little space there was
silence. 1t was Captain Plum who
broke it.
Dad. I'm going to tell you for the
third and last time that you've made
a mistake I've got eight of the best
rifles in America aboard my sloop out
there. But there's man for every
gun. And I've got something hidden
away undertook that would blow up
st. James In half an hour. And there
Is powder and ball for the whole out
fit. But that's all. I'll sell you what
I've got-for good price. Beyond
that you've got the wrong mani"
He settled back and blew volume
of smoke from his pipe. For another
half minute the old man continued TO
look at him, his eyes twinkling, and
then he fell TO counting again.
Captain Plum was not given over to
the habit of cursing. But now he
Jumped to his feet with an oath that
Iarred the table. The OLD man chuck
led. The gold pieces clinked between
his fingers. Coollv he showed two