Semi-weekly herald., 1912-05-20
SHERLOCK'S
ELOPEMENT
By JAMES HAWKINS

vorable opportunity to dash across the
Gulf At any rate he was decidedly
too attentive to Leigh Granger to suit
Bert Sherlock.
Apparently the little man was not
accustomed to yachts for he stumbled
on the ladder and would have fallen
back into the boat had not one of the
sailors boosted him aboard with an
oar. a timely aid but one accountable
for a decidedly undignifled sprawl up
on the deck
Sherlock sprang to his assistance
and with q powerful grip upon his col
lar dragged the visitor TO his feet.
The senor skipper" demanded the
intruder as he arranged his disordered
dress
The sans" admitted Sherlock. with
bow. How can I serve you!"
'Much-very much" gesticulated
the other. Il am Jesus Maria Juan
Santiago Alvora"
'All OF that?' murmured Sherlock in
mock amazement The other searched
the grave face for possible mocksry
but finding none there continued: 81
see you know not who that is"
The name is imposing-but unfa.
miliar." apologized Sherlock. You
see | am recently arrived lam not
yet familiar with the notabilities"
Very true" assented Alvora gra-
ciously. You are not to be blamed.
Rut over there" he added with a ma
testic sweep toward the southern hori-
zon. they know and fear the name
II brings terror to the bravest hearts"
Il can imagine" agreed Sherlock
politely.
Yes" beamed Alvoro II have come
to see you upon business. Your own
er-he is here?"
MY owner?" echoed Sherlock.
There is a flag they fly when the
owner he is present | have watch
three day He is not here?"
Sherlock smiled 1t was bad enough
to have the Enid anchored opposite
the hotel without flying the owners
pennant. He wanted Frederick Gran.
ger to believe that the yacht was sim.
ply waiting his coming
THE owners flag is not nying," he
assented.
He will be here soon, yes?" asked
Alvoro.
Perhaps cannot say"
Three day: week-two weeks?"
What Is 1t you want?" demanded
Sherlock.
Il would charter your beautiful
boat" explained Alvoro. Il would
elope.'
"Elope? You mean escape?" sug.
gested Sherlock-''from your enemies" ."
Il have said 'elope'" declared Al,
voro, kissing his finger tips 81 would
elope with goddess"
And you want to hire the boat?"
Yes" he exclaimed 81 must have
q boat. You will take us to Bunoven.
ia. | shall make a revolution"
81 guess l can fix It,. declared Sher-
lock. 1t would be at least a week be.
fore Frederick Granger would be gone
and he could make his presence known
to Leigh.
Tomorrow you shall be at the
point" exclaimed Alvoro. 81 shall ride
to the point. Two of my men shall
be there to help yours; we shall seize
her. Once aboard. no for Bunoventa! /!
She shall marry me then and | shall
be dictator"
Perhaps her parents will object"
suggested Sherlock 1T might get me
into trouble on my return"
No" was the eager answer. "She
only objects"
Whats the ladys nameY" demand.
ed Sherlock.
Granger" announced Alvoro proud.
ly. You mus know him. Yes?"
81 know him." admitted Sherlock.
He is with your"
MOS hearty. His the idea il. She
like young man of the north Gran.
ger say you shall take her on to your
own land. She will marry the Presi.
dente and forget the other"
I'm with you" declared Sherlock
Wen make 1t an elopement to live
In history for auickness and dispatch" "
You are my fren'. my bes' fren',"
declared Alvoro You shall be what
you call admiral"
That's a go, too" agreed Sherlock
put iooh hciu tun udN6 your
men on board I've big crew. They
can follow on fruit steamer"
Jus So" agreed Alvoro BE then
at the point at 2. | will pay $500 In
gold. Also shall you be admiral
He tumbled into the waiting boat
and Sherlock watched him across to
the dock. Then, with short laugh he
turned on his heel and went into the
cabin.
This, then. was the reason his own
suit had been received with no favor
Granger was fitting out filibusterins
expedition. His daughter should mar.
ry the successful leader OF the rev.
olution ard the Granger limo OF fruit
steamers would escape the heavy har.
Dor dues.
Late chat evening the Enid left her
anchorage and drew of toward the
point. promontory some three
miles to the south of the hotel heavily
wooded with cocoanuts and palms He
anchored on the further side, and at
noon he and his mate went ashore and
concealed themselves In the bushes.
1t was long wait until the senior
and Leigh Granger made their appear.
ance on horseback. followed by the
senor's body servant At the sight OF