The Washington times., 1911-09-23
CHAPTER XVI (continuedl .


IN another minute the dingey was
plainly visible not twenty yards
away, and the sculler, sculling fran
tically now. was Enthusiastically Jules
Jules in a light tweed suit and
You we're right" IIazell said This
is a laIk. l believe I'm getting quite
excited. It's more exciting than pay,
ing the trombone in al orchestra. III
lun him down, eh? And then we can
dag the chap in from the water.
R6cksole NODDED, but at that moment
"A barge with her led sails set stood
out of the fog clean across the BOWS
escaped instant destruction.
When they got clear, and the usual
Interchange of calm, nonchalant swear
ing was over, the doggy was barely TO
man was breathing in such Il manner
that his sighs might have almost been
heard on the banks.
Racksole wanted violently to &C some
thing But theIc was nothing 10 uoi
he could only sit Supine by Hazell
SIDE in the stern sheets.
Gradually they began again to over
take the dingey.. whose one-malL crew
was evidently firing. AS they came UP,
hand over fist, the dingey nose
swerved aside and the Iiny craft passed.
DOWN a water lane between two an
chored mineral bargcs which lay. black
y
Surrey shore.
ITO starb0srd.'' said Racksole.
No. man." HAZEL replied. We can't
get through there. He's bound 70 come
out below. Its only feint. I'll Keep
cur nose straight ahead
And they went on, the fat man pound
ing away, with a face which glistened
even in the thick gloom.
1t was an empty dingcy which
emerged from between the two barges
and went drifting and revolving down
toward Greenwich.
The fat man gaspod word TO his
Cornrade, and the customs boat stopped
"'E's all right" said the man in the
bows. If it's i'm you want. 'es on one
O. them barges. So you've only got to
step on and take i'm orf.
That's ALL said voice out Of the
depths of the ne/rest barge, and 1t was
the voice of Jules, otherwise known as
Mr. Tom Jackson.
Ear 'im," said the fat man. smil-
ing. "'E's good 'un, e is But If l
was you, Mr.. Hazell. or you, sir. l
shouldn't step on to that barge so
quick as all that
stern of the nearest barge and gazed
ITS all right" said Racksole to Ha-
Eell: I've got a revolver. How can
] Chamber up there?"
volver all right" HAZEL replied sharp
ly. But you mustn't use it. There
mustn't be any noise. We should have
twinkling if there was a revolver shot,
and it would be the ruin Of me. If an
inquiry was held, the commissioners
wouldn't take any official notice Of the
fact that ms superior officer had put
me on to this job, and should be re-
Quested TO leave the service"
Have no fear on that score" said
Racksole. II shall, of course, take all
responsibility.
1T wouldn't matter how much re-
sponsibility you took HAZEL retorted.
You couldn't put me back into the
service, and my career would be at an
end"
but there are other careers" said
Racksole. who was really anxious to
lame his ex-waiter by means of judi
e!ously aimed bullet. There are other
Careers"
"The customs IS my career" said IIa-
Eell. $50 let's have no shooting. Well
wait about a bit. He can't escape.
You can have my skewer if you like"
and he gave RacksOle his searching
instrument. And you can do what
don't make a row over it,"
For a few moments the four men were
passive in the boat, surrounded by
swirling mist, with black water be-
meath them and towering above them a
half-loaded barge, with desperate and
resourceful man on board
Suddenly the mist parted and shriv-
eled away in patches as though be-
fore the breath of some monster.
The sky was visible; 1t was a clear
sky and the moon was shining; the
transformation was just one of those
meteorological quick changes which
happen most frequently on a great
That's a sight better" said the fat
man.
At the same moment a head appear
ed over the edge of the barge. 1t
was Jules face. dark. sinister and
leering.
rs It Mr.. Racksole in that boat?"
he inquired calmly. Because If so,
let Mr.. Racksole step up. Mr.. Rack
sole has caught me. and he can have
me for the asking. Here 1 am"
He stood up to his full height on
the barge. tall against the night sky,
and all the occupants of the boat
could see thathe held firmly clasped
Now, Mr.. Racksole, you've been
after me for a long time" he con-
tinued. Here 1 am. Why, don't you
step, up? II you haven't got the
else to step up in your place. The
- same fair treatment will be accorded
to all"
And Jules laughed a low, penetrat-
ing laugh.
He was in the midst of this laugh
when he lurched suddenly forward.
"What'r' you doing of aboard my
barge? on you goes"
1t was a boys small, shrill voice
that sounded in the night. A ragged
lads small form had appeared silent
ly behind Jules, and two small arms,
with a vicious shove, precipitated him
into the water.
He fell with a fine, gurgling splash.
It was at once obvious that swim
ming was not among Jules accom-
plishments. He houndered wildly and
sank. When he reappeared he was
dragged into the customs boat. Rope
was produced. and IN a minute or two
the man lay ignominously bound on
the bottom boards.
be 81 -