The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-10-24

O'Clock.
The wind had changed to the south
east, and the sky was overcast rs they
shot out from under the shadow OF
the long pier and headed across the
bay. 1t was three miles to Cedar
creek. where the phantom pirate was
supposed to be in hiding. They made
the wreck near the creeks mouth and
made fast to her rotting tlmbers. She
loomed big and black above the natty
little launch and afforded measure
OF protection from observation. Abel
and Myron Fladd lounGed in the cab
I'm 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 l didn't
have my glasses trained on that
creek" said Myron sharply. Con
found him. Why can't he come out"
Lets go after him." suggested
Abel. I'VE might as well catch him
in there as 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 little pebbly beach
and half hidden in the tall salt grass,
was a narrow, dark gray motorboat.
Lounging on the deck was long limb
ed young man, who shot to his feet
as they approached.
"Well. what is it?" he asked sharply
as Fladds launch grounded In the soft
mud.
Myron Fladd stepped ashore and
crashed through the grass to the side
of the gray launch. He drew short
barreled shotgun from underneath his
pilot coat. and throwing back the lapel
Of the garment, he flashed brief
glimpse of his fireman's badge and
cried authoritatively:
Hold up your hands. in the name
Of the lawl'
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 rapidlty 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 n long and
crooked forefnger. "Come herew he
ordered unkindly.
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 warm overcoat.
IN borrow your boat for awhile.
and I'll leave mine for security. 1
had a breakdown, confound it! I'll
send somebody after you. Sorry
can't take you along. but I've got an
important engagement with lady.
BY, BY! He waved a hooking fare
well at his sputtering captives, push
ed Fladd's boat out of the mud. leap
ed nimbly 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"
II don't know. Looks like n chan
that was boarding over to the hotel
last summer. l took him out fishing
once. and he gave me SO. | heard
he had DTS of money. / don't believe
It's the same. What would he DO 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
Suhiheis tOlu HeT WOULDN'T shear
of no city chaps for sons-in-law, and
so l give him to understand. He was
staying to the hotel too. His name
was Turner"
What's he got to do with that
phantom pirate and $500 rewardY' :
manded Abel sourly. working at
bonds.
There was the sound of oars and
voices or men. and presently light
blurred through the fog. and boat
came cautiously up the creek. Five
minutes afterward Abel Watkins and
Myron Fladd were free men, and sew
eral of their neighbors were breaking
the news to Mr.. Fladd that his daugh-
ter Mabel had eloped in motorboat
with young man OF the name of
Turner and that Mrs. Fladd had said
she was glad of IL IL Mabel was happy.
somebody had telephoned one of the