River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-07-25
CHAPTER Xxxlll.

A man stood in one of the windows,
his figure conspicuous against the
night in cool white linen of a semi
military cut, his extended right hand
training a revolver on the Irishman's
head
FAITH" cried O'Rourke with genu-
inc relief, you're more welcome than
a snowfall in Hades. Good evening to
We, and many of them"
Hands up!"
With all the pleasure in the world"
O'Rourke elevated his hands. i've
two revolvers on me person. he vol
unteered amiably; before We go any
further yell be wanting to take 'em
away from me. I'm not doubling"
From what | see, quite believe |
shall" agreed the Englishman, with
out relaxing his unprecedented attitude.
AT all events, keep your hands where
they are, for the time being. /.
What the deuce does this mean?"
Tell me yourself and I'll make We
a handsome present" returned the
O'Rourke composedly. I've been adj
ding me wits over it for the last
thirty minutes, but neither rhyme nor
reason can | read into it. But, see
now: would We mind relieving me OF
the arsenal I've been telling ye about.
that | may rest me arms without lear
of being punctured?"
The other laughed shortly and en-
tered the room-a clean-llmbed,
sturdy, we'll set-up boy of four or five
and-twenty, or Whereabouts. He pos
sessed, aside from an emphatic and
capable manner. good looks enhanced
by a wide good-humored mouth.
You might help me out bit, you
know" said the boy brisl1ly. You've
been so free with your information
that | don't doubt you will place me
still further under obligation to you
by turning your back and depositing
your weapons on that table. Of course,
/ needn't bore you by remarks upon
the folly of false moves.
"'Twould be quite superfuous," re-
piled O'Rourke, obeying with a fair
and easy grace. There now. What
else may be your pleasure?"
Move back three PAGES and stand
STILL
"Right-O, me lord"
O'Rourke executed the prescribed
evolution and, at rest, heard footsteps
behind him; thought later he ielt
the Englishman's hands rapidly going
through his pockets. Then. with a
very good" the latter stepped be-
tween the table and O'Rourke and
faced him.
You've apparently told the truth
thus far" he said. Now what dyou
know about this?" He waved hand
round the room. BE careful what
you say. may as well inform you
I'm Couch, lieutenant sub-chief of
police for this district
saint Patrick would be no more
welcome" declared O'Rourke. Il was
on the point of trying to get We by
telephone when We saved me the trou-
bic. How the divvle did We happen
to drop in so opportunely?"
Il was coming upstream in the po-
lice launch, on the night tour of in
spection. and stopped at the landing
just below 'this-the grounds here run
down to the river. you know-to tele-
phone back to headquarters on bust
ness. The exchange operator suggest
ed look IN here and see if everything
was all right-said he'd been unable
to get any response since nightfall. .
Now"
Carefully and concisely O'Rourke
wove the events of the day into a
straight narrative. starting with the
| delivery to Sypher of the Pool OF
Flame, touching briefly upon Des Ire
bes' part-so far as he understood it
and concluding with the death OF
the coolie. The sub-chief of police
eyed him throughout with gravely
concentrated interest. nodding his
understanding.
Il see.' he said slowly. You make
it clear enough Moreover, you've
convinced me- didn't really believe
from the first you'd had any hand in