Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-12-22

and wnen, at nlIunlgnt that night,
he parted from moist and senti-
mental sailor-man, whose capacity for
iliquor-eyen including the indescrib-
able native retsinato and masticha-
had proved enormous, the arrangement
had been arrived at. signed, sealed
and delivered by clasping of hands.
And it was O'Rourke was the happy
man.
Tis Danny who'll be giving me
the welcome" he assured himself. sit
ting on the edge Of his bed and star
ing thoughtfully into the dishevelled
depths Of the battered steel kit-box
that housed everything he owned in
the world-for he was packing to join
the Pelican at noon.
II hope to hiven he has five
pounds" announced O'Rourke later,
frowning obviously.
Five pounds happened to be the
sum he had agreed to pay Captain
Hole for the accommodation. it being
further conditioned that the latter
was to accompany the adventurer
ashore at Alexandria and not part
from him till the money was forth.
coming: something which irked the
Irishman's soul. why could he not
take me word for IT," he demanded
of midnight darkness tempered by
feeble lamplight. "But. faith. | forget
what I'm dealing with. Besides, tbs
sure am to find Danny"
He arose and resumed his packing,
blowing an inaudible little air through
his puckered lips. "Divvlish awkward
If I don't BY the Gods! I'd
all but aforementioned :"
He failed to state exactly what he
had misremembered. but stood mo-
t;onless, with troubled eyes staring
at the lamp fame, for full five min.
utes. Then
9TH have to chance it." he said
slowly. "Tisn't as il it were mine"
He unbuttoned the front of his shirt
and thrust a hand between his under.
shirt and his skin, fumbled about I'M
der his left armpit. his brows still
gathered thoughtfully. Presently he
gave a little jerk and removed his
hand. 1t contained a chamois-skin bag
about the size of a ducks egg. from
which dangled the stout cord by
which he had slung it about his neck.
Holding this gingerly. as If he fear
ed IL would explode. O'Rourke glanced
at the window. drew the blind tight.
and tiptoed to the door, whore he
turned the key in the lock. Then. re-
turning to his bed and making sure
that he was out Of range OF the key
hole. he cautiously loosened the draw.
string at the mouth of the bag.
Something tunbled out into his
palm and lay there like ball of red
fire, brilliant and coruscant.
O'Rourke caught at his breath sharp
ly: his very voice had an ominous
ring in It's timber when he spoke al
length.
0iuDu, DC Sdlu oiu"if. pioou'
doubt not that rivers Of bloGc
have flowed for the sake Of We. BE
like We were fashioned of blood in.the
beginning, for It's that's your color
and the story of ye as I've heard it Il
all told when I've said that one wore
blood!
And. after bit I'D best put it away
I'm thinking. 'Twouldn't be safe to car
~ it that way any longer. ii some
thing should catch In me shirt oD
board, and rip II. and Hole happen tc
see it-why. me life wouldn't be worth
a moments purchase. I'll hide ii IL
me box there; they'll niver suspect
Ab
And with that he thrust the Pool
of Flame back into the leather bag
and the bag into the depths Of the kit
box: which he presently locked anG
noiselessly moved beneath his bed
After all of which he lag down and
with another sigh slept TRANQUILITY.
(To Be Continued.l