Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-10-27
II have to crosa II IN plain sight"

.iuI OpcucI upOu tilc wv pA"PN' S"SJ
bcheld the great floor almost entirely
clear. Save for few tons of freight
1T which Big Georges men were work
ing 1t was as unobstructed as lawn.
and, although 1t was nearly the size OF
IL city block. 1t afforded no more means
of conccalment than did the little Of
fee Itself, with It's glass doors. Its
counter and It's long desk. Mt the far
thcr end of which 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 carelcssly to the Office,
whence he had seen Boyd disappearing
few moments before, and turn back
to his stevcdores. Then they saw tho
pain clothes men approaching.
"Ifcre. Gimme your coat and hat.
qrlck." cried Fraser In Il low voice.
his eyes blazing Mt n sudden thought.
He stripped his own garments from
His back with fcYcrish haste. Put
mine on. There. I'll stall for you.
When they grab me. take 1t on the
run. Understand"
"Thet won't do. Everybody knows
ne" Boyd cnst an apprchensive
glance at the archcd back of the bill
clerk, but Fraser. quick Of resource In
such situation. forced him swiftly
to make the change, saying:
mix. It's your only out Stand
here, scc" He indicated n position
beside the rear door. "Tll step out
the other way where they can SEQ
me-" he continued. pointing to the
wagon way ut the right. "Savvy?
When they grub me You beat 1t and
don't wait for nothing"
"l3ut YOU
Already they could hear the foot
steps of the officers.
"I'll take chance. Goodby."
There was no time even for a hand
shake. Fraser stepped swiftly to the
door. then stro!led quietly out into
the view Of the two men. who an in
slant later accosted him.
Are you Mr.. Boyd Emerson"
The adventurcr answered brusquely.
Yes. but can't talk to you now"
You are under arrest. Mr.. Finer
SON.
Boyd waited to hear no more. The
glass door swung open noisclessly un'
der his hand. and he stepped out Just
as the bill clerk looked up from his
work. staring out through the other
entrance.
"Fingcrless" Fraser's voice was
louder now. as If for signal. "Ar.
rest me? What do you mean? Get
out of my way"
You'd better come pcaceably."
Boyd heard sharp exclamation
Get him. Bll"-and then the sound
OF men struggling. He ran. followed
by 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 pursucrs to the
street
Scarcely had Boyd reached Big
George when wing Of the besiegine
army swept in through the unguarded
entrance and down the dock like IN
avalanche. leaving behind them the
battling officers and the hungry pack
clamorlng for the prisoner.
drop that freight and get aboard
the best way you can" Boyd yelled a,
the fishermen. and, with bound. was
out into the open. crying to Captain
Peasley on the bridge:
Here they come. Cast Off. fol
Gods sake
The dozen men who had been sling
ing freight on the dock FASTENED vi
the gangplank or climbed the tenders
while the Signalman c.ung to the lift
whistle. was swung aloft out Of thu
very arms of the rioters.
, Above. on the flying bridge. Captain
Pcasicy was believing orders. At las
the Bedford Castle was under way
Even after they were miles dow
the sound Boyd remained at his post
sweeping the waters astern in an anX
ious search for some swift harbo
craft. the appearance Of which woul'
signal that his escape had been dis
: covered.
II won't feel safe until We are pas
Fort Townsend" he confessed to Che,
: ~. who maintained a position at hi
side "rhe police can wire on frol
I Seattle to stop us and take me Off n
that point"
g IF they find out their mistake
They must have found 1t out lon
4 ago. That's why I've got Peasle
forcing this old tub. She's doing |
j knots. ana that's Il breakneck spec
for her. Once we're through III
V straits III be satisfied"
v "What will happen to Fraser?" sh
+ queried
p Nothing serious, am sure. 70
> see, they wanted me and nobody els'
l Once they find they have the wron
j man rather believe they will fire
l. him in disgust"
) 4 moment later he went on: "Jus
II tho same, 1t makes me feel depresse
! and guilty to leave him. IL wouldn
l. desert Il comradc for anything IL th
u choice lay with me-"
"You did quite right" Cherry warn
y t. assured him.
II "You see, am not working for m.
sell. am doing this for another"
1t was the girls turn to sigh softl
e while the eyes she turned toward IL
west were strangely sad and dreamy
3 1.-TWO hours more" he told her ,