Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-09-01

yawned sIeepny.
There Is a slight clew. One of
your men described man that bought
an outfit last week. At any rate,
feel justified in carrying my chase to
the Yukon" said Mr.. Duffy.
"Our boats are at your disposal"
murmured Woolson, lighting another
cigar.
THANKS. I'll take that one in the
morning. Now, if. you'll excuse me.
sir, I'll go to my lodgings and get
some traps together"
On the steps of the hotel woolson
stood and watched Inspector Duffy
roll down the street until the crowded
pavements swallowed him. Twilight
was falling, and the water front was
darkened with the approaching end of
the day. In another half hour the
coolie gang would stop work.
The manager of the Great Mines
company went back TO his office and
worked rapidly for several moments.
Then he made his way to the wharf
and entered the paymaster's cage. He
sent the man away on some errand
and called HodgsOn. The tallyman
came. throwing clustering commands
over his shoulder at his coolies.
"Send that fellow around for HIS
money, H0dgson," directed his supe-
rior, ''that Chinaman told you to dis
miss"
Right, sir" And Hodgson hustled
away.
woolson stood stifny, waiting while
the disreputable figure of the last man
crept up to the wicket. He lifted his
head and peered through at the big
red and white skinned Englishman
with a shrinking fear in his own dirt
concealed features. Coarse black hair
struggled into his dark eyes, and
long cue hung down his back. He
thrust a trembling hand through the
velope toward him.
Laurence" whispered Woolson
guardedly, with his eyes fixed at some
point beyond the mans head, ''cut IT,
Duffy of Scotland Yard is after you.
There's plenty Of money in this envel-
ope It's yours in remembrance Of
old times and, God willing, in antici-
patton of new and better times to
come. Lie low until midnight and
get aboard the Queen Of the Sea. You
can easily lose yourself in China"
The coolie drew a deep breath. You
recognized me at once then, Arthur
he gasped.
"Yes-never mind, it's all right, old
man. Keep me posted of your move
ments. Better stick to the Yangtze
valley until it blows over. Perhaps 1
can help you regain what you've lost"
I,i1 h bA
one of the coolie.
The mans face worked strangely for
a moment, and he turned away; then
with a sudden impulse he flung the
envelope back on the desk and said
sharply: Il can't do it, Arthur. I'm
too big a scoundrel as it isl have
wronged you enough. I'll find Duffy
and go back to England with him.
After I've taken my medicine I'll come
back, and perhaps then I'll be worthy
to grasp your hand"- He choked sud-
denly.
WooIson spoke grufTly. I've done
nothing more than you would have
done in like circumstances" he said TO
the weaker one. You make me
deuced happy, Old man. though
writhe to think of your doing time
again. When you come back there will
be a place for you with me-" He
wrung the thin hand and WINGED as
hot tears fell on his own. Then he
was conscious that the last man" had
disappeared.
After he had dismissed Hodgson and
paid that bewildered tallyman his due
of wages Woolson sauntered back to his
office TO await a message from Inspec-
tor Duffy.
One hour passed and another, and
his face grew haggard and bitter with
renewed disappointment Then the !
message came.
"Got him. beloved the inspector
joyfully. Game and gave himself up
was dressed like a lord and cool as |
you please! Jolly odd how missed
him, amt it?''
Woolson hung up the receiver and |
smiled contentedly.