Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1911-12-15
tut out the utions. What you &C

supposed to be in hiding They made
the wreck near the creeks mouth and
made fast to her rotting timbers. She
doomed big and black above the natty
little launch and afforded a measure
OF protection from observation. Abel
and Myron Fladd loungel in the cab.
in and took turns watching through
the tiny portfolios for some sign Of
life near the mouth of the creek.
There was nothing save an occasion.
al kingflsher to disturb the solitude.
Hour after hour passed in tedious
waiting.
Maybe he went while you were
across the bay" suggested Abel Wat
kins.
There wasn't five minutes 1 didn't
have my glasses trained on that
creek" said Myron sharply. Con.
found him! Why can't he come out"
Lets so after him." suggested
Abel. I'VE might as well catch him
In there rs to chase him all around
Little River bay"
Myron Fladd agreed. and just as the
day was fading they painted into Cedar
creek and made for its upper reaches
There, drawn ON a little pebbly beach
and half hidden in the tall salt grass
was Il narrow, dark gray motorboat
Lounging on the deck was a long limb
ed young man. who shot to his feet
as they approached.
well. what Is itY he asked sharply
as Fladd's launch grounded In the soft
mud
Myron Fladd stepped ashore and
crashed through the grass to the side
OF the gray launch. He drew a short
barreled shotgun from underneath his
pilot coat. and. throwing back the lapel
OF the garment. he flashed brief
glimpse of his freman's badge and
cried authoritatively:
Hold up your hands, In the name
of the lawp'
The stranger threw up his hands,
With one he caught the gun barrel
and twisted the weapon out of Myron's
hands; with the other he lifted that
stout gentleman to the deck of the
craft by way OF strong grip inside
the collar OF his coat. With lightning
like rapldity he snatched up rope
and tied the ambitious pirate hunter
with dozen hard knots.
Then the stranger leveled the shot
gun at the shrinking form Of Abel
Watkins and beckoned with long and
crooked foreflnger "Come herep he
ordered unlEindly.
Abel went and was trussed quite as
neatly as his friend. Together they
watched the strange young man dive
into the cabin OF his launch. come
forth with a suit case and shrug him.
self into a warm overcoat.
I'm borrow your boat for awhile,
and I'll leave mine for security.
had a breakdown, confound II! III
send somebody after you. Sorry
cant take you along, but I've got an
important engagement with lady.
BY, byI' He waved mocking fare
well at his sputtering captives, push
ed Fladd's boat out Of the mud, leap
ed nlmbly aboard after his suit case
and was soon chugging quietly from
sight In the gathering mist
When all was still again Myron
Fladd turned uneasily to his compan-
ion.
Abel, did you recognize that fell
low Seems like I've seen him be-
fore"
Il don't know. Looks like chap
that was boarding over to the hotel
last summer. took him out fishing
once, and he gave me $40. | heard
he had lots of money. | don't believe
It's the same. What would he DE do
ing around here this wayY
Hes the pirate, all right" uttered
Fladd gloomily. yet he looks con
foundedly like that chap that used to
come and see my daughter Mabel last
summer. told her ! wouldn't hear
Of no city chaps for sons-ln-law. and
so give him to understand. He was
staying to the hotel too. His name
was Turner.
whats he got to do with that
phantom pirate and $500 rewardT' de-
manded Abel sourly, working at his
bonds
There was the sound OF oars and
voices OF men. and presently light
blurred through the fog. and n boat
came cautiously up the creek. Five
minutes afterward Abel Watkins and
Myron Eladd were free men. and sew
eral Of their nelghbOrs we're breaking
the news TO Mr. Fladd that his daugh-
ter Mabel had eoped In u motorboat
with young man of the name Of
Turner and that Mrs. Fladd had said
she was glad Of It II Mabel was happy. |
Somebody had telephoned one Of the |
men that Abel and Myron were ma
rooned 10 Cedar creek--hence their |
timely arrival
1t was silent party that rowed |
across the cbOppy bay In the leaking |
fiat bottom boat. Myron Fladd was
planning all sorts OF revenge upon his |
newly acquired son-iD-law for his
harsh treatment, while Abel took con.
ISOLATION In his disappointment and
fatigue by recolectlng that Brighten.
cd Deborah would gladly prepare a
bour tiful meal when he returned to
her
Al jast one Of the men spoke: II
see by the paper that they caught that
there phantom pirate away down by |
Bornegate light. Myron wouldn't |
mind having that three hundred re- |
ward. would your
But Myron only grunted Irritably tn
reply.