The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1912-03-15

| Auu Wuen, NJ miuuiBuJ tndJ nlButp
be parted from a moist and senti.
mental sailor-man, whose capacity for
iquor-even including the indescrib.
able native retsinato and masticha-
aad proved enormous, the arrangement
had been arrived at, signed. sealed
and delivered by clasping of hands.
And 1t was O'Rourke was the happy
man.
| "'Tis Danny who'll be giving me
he 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-fof he was packing to join
the Pelican at noon.
II hope to hiven he has five
pounds" announced O'Rourke later,
trowning obviously.
Five pounds happened to be the
sum he had agreed to pay Captain
Hole for the accommodation, II 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
Trishman's soul. why could he not
take me word for III" he demanded
Of midnight darkness tempered by
feeble lamplight. But, faith, forget
what I'm dealing with. Besides, It's
sure I am to find Danny"
He arose and resumed his packing,
blowing an inaudible little air through
his puckered lips. "Divvilish awkward
II l don't BY the Gods! I'd
all but misremembered :"
He failed to state exactly what he
had misremembered. but stood mo-
tionless. with troubled eyes staring
at the lamp flame, for a full five min
utes. Then
"Pll have to chance It," he said
slowly. "'Tisn't as If It were mine"
He unbuttoned the front of his shirt
and thrust hand between his under
shirt and his skin, fumbled about UNI
der his left armpit. his brows still
gathered thoughtfully. Presently he
gave little Jerk and removed his
hand. It contained a chamois-skin bag
about the size Of ducks egg. from
which dangled the stout cord by
which he had slung it about his neck.
Holding this gingerly, as II he fear
ed 1t would explode. O'Rourke glanced
at the window. drew the blind tight
and tiptoed to the door, where 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 tumbled out into his
palm and lay there like a ball of red.
fire, brilliant and coruscant
O'Rourke caught at his breath sharp
ly; his very voice had an ominous
ring In its timber when he spoke at
length.
Blood" he said slowly. "blood. .
d. l doubt not that rivers Of blood
have flowed for the sake Of ye. 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 1t is
all told when I've said that one word
blood! :"
And. after a bit. I'D best put 1t away.
I'm thinking. 'Twouldn't be safe to car
~ 1t that way any longer. II some
thing should catch In me shirt on
board. and rip It. and Hole happen to
see it-why, me life wouldn't be worth
q moments purchase. Ill hide It in
me box there: they'll niver suspect"
And with that be thrust the Pool
Of Flame back into the leather bag.
and the bag into the depths Of the kit.
box; which he presently locked and
noiselessly moved beneath his bed.
After all Of which he lay down and
with another sigh slept TRANQUILITY.