The Washington herald., 1911-06-04


hand her over to the first officer ! meet, and
she will be safe But was thinking of Alb
ner. What you have told me has put me all
on fire. Now don't make any mistake, Burt.
don't think ! am the son of any great man,
or that am the heir to millions. It's proba-
bly, only common secret after all, but what
ever it is, l. mean to know it il l have to
choke it out of Abner."
Here, in his excitement, Tim arose to his
feet. and Burt also arose in pretended alarm.
Don't be sangunary,' he said, with a
smile Let us proceed to dispose of the
mysterious unknown, who, l see, has fallen
asleep"
So she had The conversation had become
too deep for the little girl, the golden head
fell down on the table and Tiny was in the
land of dreams.
Burt looked at her in some perplexity, but
Tim soon settled his doubts by taking the
child in his arms and preparing to start
Burt then settled for the supper, and pre-
sented Hungry Joe with fvedollar bill az
reward for his services:
Many thanks" said Joe, with a flourish;
"and if you stand in need of my services
again, just loaf around the wharf and you'll
b. sure to find me-"
IL don't think III need to rescue any more
fellows this year. replied Burt, with much
gravity, but if do I'll hunt you up. Good
night"
street car, Burt said:
Wou'uh trust tnat iehoW across teh-
Nor ~ agreed Tim emphatically. 1T
was all | could do to keep my hands of him,
even i he did help me. out of that wretehed
den. Where are we gOlng!
ITO the Bingham House. Ill see that Tiny
is taken care of, and in the morning we'll
go to the chief of police and straighten things
out"
We? Are you going to stay in town.
Certainly ! am. My curiosity Is eating
mi II | at tay
here until Christmas"
The hotel clerk looked in some surprise at
the two boys and the sleeping girl but when
the matter was explained to him he became
deeply Interested
"Of course she can stay here said he.
"l'll have the housekeeper take charge of her.
! suppose this s Tiny Raymond for whom the
reward of five hundred dollars is offered
'Is there reward!' asked Tim, in sur
prise.
"It's all in the newspapers" answered the
clerk. Mr. Raymond is an Arch street mer-
chant who lives in New Jerscy-Merchantville,
think"
Give hundred dollars"
NO. sir!" cried Tim, getting very red in
the face. wont take a cent. Perhaps |
have earned the money and maybe I'm foolish,
but it would seem to me like selling the dear
little girl, and | won't do it,"
And he gave sleeping Tiny warm hug,
while the clerk looked at Burt compassionatcly,
a. if he pltied Burt for having crazy friend.
But he said nothing, and soon had Tiny trans
fIrred to the care of the motherly housekeep-
or, while Burt and Tim were shown to their
room, on the upper floor, in Difference to Tins
economical notions he insisted on paying
half the expense
1t was nearly . o'clock by this time, and
Tim was BEGINNING to get sleepy; Burt was
more OF city boy and wide awake
II was very warm for a May evening. Burt
Tut out the gas and hosted the windows, and
then after half undressing, sat by the open
window and talked to Tim who was in bed
let me see" said he, m%singI!y; you have
.'"Three-no, two days. replied Tim, drow-
silly.
",rwo days! Is that all? Bless me, what
time you have had!'
"Ohs yes," murmured Tim; evidently not
Rescued girl, been swindled made pris-
oner, escaped, and-well, that's all I've been
coming to town ever since | was baby, and
never so much as lost dime. 1t beats all,
mystery about Abner. The old rascal is up
to some mischief, know, and it will be a
sht me If two young chaps like you and me can't
ciTcumvent him. He is sharp enough in his
simple way, but he hasn't the courage to do
anything villainous. III write to father to-
morrow and tell your adventures, and dare
say he will come to town and help us out
What do you say, Tm?"
A snore.
"Wcll,' said Burt, trihe vexcd you're
bright listener Still, fancy he's pretty well
played out. I'll turn in myself
so saying, he started for the bed, and had
Just turned in when light shot over the
transom from an adjoining room, and a high
pitched voice smotc on his ears:
"Sevcntyfve cents for jist sleepn' in this
room room one night! | call that robbery, | dol"
lhen there was "A mans voice, in lower
Key, and then deep, growing bass voice, like
distant thunder
Burt was struck with a sudden suspicion,
and proppcd himself up on his elbow to lis
ten
"Very we'll" went on the first voice. "it
can't be helped, | reckon; but you don't kctch
me In such q Mace dis anain in q hI.rr,.