Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-01-10
CHAPTER XII.

| CHApIER AL.
lf HALF mile from Captain Peas
ley's ship the rival company
HN tenders were loading rapidly
~ with union labor. The next
day Emerson and Clyde drove down
to the dock with Cherry in closed
carriage, experiencing no annoyance
beyond some jeers and insults as they
passed through the picket line Boyd
had barely seen them comfortably es
tabished on board when up the
ships gangway came "Fingerless"
Fraser radiantly attired. three heavily
laden hotel porters groaning at his
back, the customary thick wasted
cigar between his teeth.
"Are you going with us? Boyd in
quired.
Sure"
"See here! Is life one long success
sion Of surprise parties with you"
"Why, I've fggered on this right
along"
But the ship is jammed now. There
Is no ROOM"
"Oh, | fixed that up long ago. am
going to bunk with the steward"
"Well. why in the world didn't you
let us know you were coming?"
"Say. don't kid yourself. You know
| couldn't stay behind" Fraser blew
a cloud of smoke airily. II never
start anything | can't finish. | keep
telling you. and I'm going to put this
deal through now that I've got 1t
started" With a half embarrassed
laugh and u complete change Of man
ner, he laid his hand upon Boyd's
shoulder. saying: "Pal. amt much
| good to myself or anybody else. but !
| like you and | want to stick around
Maybe I'll come In useful yet-you
can't tell"
Emerson had never glimpsed this
| side Of the mans nature. and 1t rather
surprised him.
"Of course you can come along. old
man." he responded heartily. "We're
glad to have you"
The decks Of the big, low lying
tramp steamer were piled high with
gear Of every description. Ready now
to sail, Boyd went out to the dock Of
Gee to wire Mildred Of his success.
"Fingerless" Fraser soon ran In
upon him. They've come to grab you
for killing tina: strikerp he began
breathlessly. There's a couple OF
square toes on the dock now. Better
take 1t on the 1am'-quickT'
"Godw So Marsh had withheld this
stroke until the last moment.
you'd better beat 1t, quick"
"How? couldn't get through that
crowd. They know me. Listen"
Outside the street broke into roar at
some taunt of the fishermen high up
in the rigging. 81 can't run away. and
IL those detectives get me Pm ruined"
Boyd clinched his hands In despera-
tion.' "I guess they've got me-" he said
bitt erly. "There's no way out"
"From what they said I don't think
hey know you" Fraser continued.
Anyhow, they wanted Peasley to
point you out. When they come on
maybe you can slip 'em."
Boyd seized eagerly upon the sug-
gestlon. "The wharf is empty-see!
I'll have to cross 1t in plain sight"
Through the rear door Of the office
that opened upon the dock proper they
beheld the great floor almost entirely
clear. Save for few tons Of freight
at which Big Georges men were work
Ing It was as unobstructed as a lawn,
and although 1t was nearly the size OF
a city block, 1t afforded no more means
| of concealment than did the little Of
fee itself, with It's glass doors. Its
counter and its long desk, ut the far
ther end Of which bill clerk was por-
ing over his task.
They saw at the foot of the gang
plank two men talking with Big
George. They saw Bait point the
strangers carelessly to the office,
whence he had seen Boyd disappearing
a few moments before, and turn back
to his stevedores. Then they saw the
plain clothes men approaching.
"Herel Gimme your coat and hat.
quickr cried Fraser In a low voice.
his eyes blazing at sudden thought.
He stripped his own garments from
his back with feverish haste. Put
mine on. There! I'll stall for you.
When they grab me, take 1t on the
run. Understand"
"That won't do. Everybody knows
me-" Boyd cast an apprehensiye
glance at the arched back Of the bill
clerk, but Fraser, quick Of resource In
such a situation. forced him swiftly
to make the change, saying:
"Nix. It's your only out Stand
here, seep He indicated position
beside the rear door. "I'll step out
the other way where they can see
me-" he continued, pointing p 4f