The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1911-01-12
CHAPTER i-Continued.

bt ttAINhlh
over there-opposite me. So"
lie continued for a moment to
smooth out the creases In the letter
and then proceeded to read II with az
much assurance as though its owner
we're a thousand miles away instead
OF within arms reach OF him. Cap
tain Plum was dumbfounded. He felt
the hot blood rushing to his face and
his first impulse was TO recover the
crumpled paper and demand some
thing more than an explanation. In
the next instant IL occurred to him
that this action would probably spoil
whatever possibilities his nights ad-
venture might have for him. So ne
held his peace. The old man was so
intent in his perrsal OF the letter that
the end of his hooked nose almost
scraped the table. lie went over the
dim. partly obliterated words line by
line, chuckling now and then, and ap-
parently utterly oblivious OF the 9th
er's presence. When he had come TO
the end he looked up. his eyes glitter
Ing with unbounded satisfaction. care
fully folded the letter. and handed II
to Captain Plum.
That's the best introduction in the
world, Captain Plum-the very best!
10, holt couldn't be better. I'm
glad found IT," lie chuckled gleeful-
ly, and rested lis ogreish head In the
palms Of his skeleton-like hands. his
elbows on the table. so you're going
back home-soon?'
Il haven't made up my mind yet.
dad" responded Captain Plum. pulling
out his pipe and tobacco. You've read
the letter pretty carefully. guess
What would you dor
Vermont" questioned the old man
shortly.
That's It."
Wen, I'd go. and very soon, Cap
tain Plum. very soon. indeed. Yes. I'd
hurry" The old man jumped up with
the quickness Of a cat. SO sudden
was his movement that II startled Cap
tain Plum. and he dropped his tobac-
co pouch. BY the time he had recov-
cred this article his strange compan-
ion was back in his seat again holding
n leather bag in his hand. Quickly
he united the knot at its top and
poured a torrent OF glittering gold
pieces out upon the table.
Observation-Disclosures and gold" he
gurgled happily. rubbing his thin
hands and twisting his fingers until
they cracked. "A pretty sight, eh. Cap
tain Plum? Now. TO our account A
hundred carbines. Ell? And a thou
sand OF powder and ton OF balls. Or
is II in lead7 II doesn't make any diff
ference-not a bit. It's three thou
sand. that's the account. eh?" He fell
to counting rapidly.
For full minute Captain Plum TO
manned In stupefled bewilderment. ST.
fenced by the sudden and unexpected
turn his adventure had taken. Easel
mated, he watched the skeleton fingers
as they clinked the gold pieces. What
was the mysterious plot into which he
had allowed himself to be drawn?
Why were a hundred guns and a ton
and half OF powder and balls wanted
by the Mormons Of Beaver islandY
Instinctively he reached out and closed
his hand over the counting fingers OF
the old man. Their eyes met And
there was a shrewd. balf-understand'
| ing CLEAN In the black orbs that fixed
| Captain Plum In an unfiinching chal'
lenge. For a little space there was
silence II was Captain Plum who
| broke A.
Dad, I'm going to tell you for the
third and last time that you've made
a mistake. I've got eight OF the best
rifles in America aboard my sloop Out
there. But there's a man for every
gun. And I've got something hidden
away undertook that would blow VI
ST. James In half an hour. And there
is powder and ball for the whole out
1T But that's all. I'll sell you wha
I've got--for good price. Beyond
that you've got the wrong man!
lie settled back and blew a volume
OF smoke from his pipe. For another
half minute the old man continued q
look at him, his eyes twinkling. an'
then he fell To counting again.
Captain Plum was not given over q
the habit OF cursing But now h
bumped 70 his feet with an oath tina
larred the table. The old man chuck
ed The gold pieces clinked between
4 - .snnIlx ha Chnvp1 tWl