The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1911-01-12
"Dry as tinder.~


Captain Plum. The old man noted the
emphasis. but the darkness that had
fast settled about them hid the added
meaning that passed In a curious look
over the others face.
"Odd way to come In, though-very
odd" continued the old man. CUR
Cling and shaking as II the thought of
it occasioned him great merriment
Very cautious. Level business head.
Want to know that things are on the
square, eh?"
That's IT," exclaimed Captain Plum,
catching at the proffered straw. In
wardly he was wondering when his
feet would touch bottom. Thus far
he had succeeded in getting but
single grip on the situation. Some
body was expected at Beaver island
with powder and balls and guns. Well,
he had a certain quantity of these ma
terials aboard his sloop, and II he
could make an agreeable bargain
The old man interrupted the plan
that was slowly forming itself in Cap
tain Plum's puzzled brain.
ITS the price, ch?" He laughed
shrewdly. you want to see the color
of the gold before you land the goods.
I'll show 1t to you. I'll pay you the
whole sum tonight. Then you'll take
the stuff where | tell you to. En-?
Isn't that so?" lie darted ahead Of
Captain Plum with quick alert move
ment. will you please follow me.
sir?"
For an instant Captain Plum's i'm
pulse was to hold back. In that in.
slant it suddenly occurred to him that
he was lending himself to a rank i'm.
position. At the same timr he was
filled with a desire to go deeper into
the adventure. and his blood thrilled
with the thought of what It rlight hold
for him.
Are you coming. sir?'
The little old man had stopped a
dozen PAGES away and turned ex-
pectantly.
Il tell you again that you're got the
wrong man, dad"
"Will you follow me, sir?'
"Well. II you'll have 1t so-damned
II WON'T" cried Captain Plum. lie
felt that he had relieved his con-
science. anyway. If things should de-
velop badly for him during the next
few hours no one could say that he
had lied So he followed liEht.heart-
eddy after the old man. his eyes and
ears alert, and his right hand. by force
of habit, reaching under his coat to
the butt of his pistol. His guide said
not another word until they had tray-
eled for half an hour along n twisting
path and stood at last on the bald sum-
nit of knoll from which they could
look down upon a number of lights
twinkling dimly a quarter of n mile
away. One of these lights cleaned
above all the others. like beacon set
among frefiies.
That's ST. James," said the old
man. His voice had changed. II
was low and soft, as though he feared
to speak above a whisper.
st. James,"
The young man at his side gaZed
down silently upon the scattered lights,
his heart throbbing in n sudden tn
multi of excitement. He had set cut
that day with the idea of resting his
eyes on St James. In its sill snt mys
terry the town now lay at his feet
And that light" spoke the oil
man. He pointed trembling arm to
ward the glare that shone more power
fully than the others. That light
marks the sacred home Of the king!"
His voice had again changed. A me-
tallic hardness came into 1t, Ills words
were vibrant with a strange excite
ment which he stroye hard to con
ceal. 1t was still light enough for
Captain Plum to see that the old
mans black, beady eyes were startling
ly alive with newly aroused emo'i ion.
You mean"
"Strang,"
He started rapidly down the knob
and there fioated back to Captain
Plum the soft notes OF his meaning
less chuckle. A dozen rods farther on
his mysterious guide turned into by
path which led them to another knoll.
capped by a good-sized building made
of logs. There sounded the grating
OF a key in a lock. the shooting OF
bolt, and door opened to admit them
you will pardon me II | don't ligh'
up" apologized the old man as he led
the way in. "A candle will be sufii-
Client. You know there must be
privacy in these matters-alw ays. Eli?
Isn't that so?"
Captain Plum followed without re-
ply lie guessed that the cabin was
made up of one large room. and thar
at the present time. at 'iesst. II pos
sessed no other occupant than the
singular creature who had guided him
to II.
1T is Just as we'll on this particular
night, that no light is seen at the
| window" continued the OH man as
he rummaged about a table for a
match and a candle. II have a little
corner back here that a candle will
brighten up nicely and no one In re
world will know 1t: Ho. no, hollow
nice II is TO have a quiet little corner
sometimes! Eth, Captain plura?"
At the sound of his name Captain
Plum started as though an I'm expected
hand had suddenly been laid uron him
SO he was expected. after all, and his