Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-01-05

other one. there on the shore, stole
them"
What is the lady's name"
II can't tell you that"
But the police"
1T isn't a matter for the police.
Please trust me, Mr.. Porter"
The life-saver stood irresolute.
'If this boat is damaged, I'll make
it good five times over" continued
Orme.
ooh, 1t wouldn't hurt the boat. A
few scratches, perhaps. It's the other
boat I'm thinking Of"
Its pretty grim business, l know"
remarked Orme.
The younger man again studied
Orme's face. "Can you give me your
word that the circumstances would
justify us in ramming that boat?"
1t flashed over Orme that he had
no idea what those circumstances
were. He knew only what little the
girl had told him. Yet she had as
sured him again and again that the
papers were Of the greatest impor-
lance. True, throughout the affair,
thus far, with the exception Of the
blow he had given Maku, the persons
concerned had offered no dangerous
violence. The mysterious papers
might contain information about
South American mines-as little Pori-
tol had suggested; they might hold
the secrets of an international syn
dicate.> Whatever they were, 1t was
really doubtful whether the necessity
of their recovery would justify the
possibility Of Staying another a
Perhaps the girl had unconsciously
exaggerated their value, Women who
took a hand in business often lost the
sense Of relative Importance. And
yet, she had been SO sure; she had
herself gone to such lengths. Then.
too, the South Americans had hired
a burglar to break into her fathers
house, and now this Japanese had
abducted her. Yes. it was a serious
game. .
Orme answered Porter. Il give you
my word" he said.
Porter nodded and frightened his
lips.
"At the very least, that fellow has
tried to abduct this young lady" added
Orme.
"All right" said Porter. LET her
60"
The other boat had drifted about
SO feet away. Orme called out:
Hello, there, Japanese. Will you
give up the papers?"
No answer came.
'If you won't" cried Orme, 1--WE are
going to ram you"
ooh, mol" exclaimed the girl sud
denly. I'VE mustn't drown him."
I'VE shan't," said Orme. But we
will give him a scare" Then, in a
louder voice: do you hear?"
The only reply was the tapping OF
metal on metal. The Japanese, II
seemed, was still trying to find out
what was wrong with hts motor.
well, then" orme said to Porter,
well have to try it. But use low
speed, and be ready to rec off at
the last minute"
He'll try to fend with the boat
hook" said Porter.
IF he does, I'll get him"
"How?"
"Lasso." Orme picked up a spare
painter that was stored under the
seat, and began to tie a slip-noose.
The girl now spoke. II suppose we
shall have to do it," she said. But ]
wish there we're a less dangerous, q
less tragic way"
Hardly knowing what he did, Orme
laid his hand gently on her shoulder;
ut will be all right, DEAR" he whis
pered.
If the word embarrassed her, the
darkness covered her confusion.
Porter had started the motor, set.
ting it at a low speed, and now he
was steering the boat in a circle to
gain distance for the charge.
I've lost the other boat exclaimed
Orme, peering into the darkness.
"she's off there" said Porter. you
can't see her, but / know the direc
ton"
He swung the launch around and
headed straight through the night.
Hold on tight" Orme cautioned
the girl, and coiling his lasso, he went
to the bow.
The launch moved steadily forward
Orme, straining his eyes in the en-
deavor to distinguish the other boat
saw 1t 9. last. 1t lay a few points tt
starboard, and Porter altered the
course Of the launch accordingly.
MAKE for the stern" called orme
"and cripple her propeller, If you can
Another slight change in the course
showed that Porter understood.
AS the %lessening Of the distance be
tween the two boats made it possible
to distinguish the disabled speedel
more clearly, Orme saw that the Japa
nese was still tinkering with the mo
tor. He was busying himself al
though he realized that he had ne
hope Of escape unless he could star
his boat.
Narrower, narrower, grew the inter
yening gap Of dark water. Ormt
braced himself for the shock. In hi
left hand was the coiled painter; IL
his right, the end Of the ready moose
which trailed behind him on the deck
ing. 1t was long since he had thrown
a lariat. In a vivid CLEAN of memor,
he saw at that moment the hot, dust,
New Mexico corral, the low adob,
buildings, the numbering cattle ant
the galloping horses Of the ranch