The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1912-10-24
CopyriSII iS,s, ~
CHAPTER xxxIv.


opaque, lay upon land and water. The
police launch, shuddering with the VI
| brations of a motor running at high
tension, sped down the silent reaches
of Rangoon River like hunted ghost.
She ran without lights. these having
been extinguished by COUGHS direo-
tions, regardless Of harbor regulations
or danger Happily the hour was late
enough to relieve them Of much fear
of trouble with other craft; the upper
reaches of the river were practically
deserted.
In the bow Couch was handling the
wheel with the nonchalance Of one
from whom the river had no secrets
by night or day. TO O'Rourke 1t seemed
no light task to pilot so slight craft
at such high speed through that
Stygian darkness; yet the sub-chief
was accomplishing the feat without-a
discernable trace of fear or tremor
of uncertainty.
O'Rourke sat beside him. In the
stern a police orderly acted as me-
chanic, attending to the motor. These
three, no more, made up the rescue
party.
Though devoured by impatience and
anxiety, O'Rourke forbope to question
Couch, hesitating to divert his atten-
ton from his task and knowing that
as soon as he could the young lieu
tenant would speak. From the time
when the coolie had yielded, there
had been not a seconds rest for eth
er; neither had had time to confer
save on questions of the most imme-
date moment; and control Of these
Couch had voluntarily and naturally
assumed, deciding. acting and direct
Ing In the same thought. apparently.
Your wife, with Miss Pynsent"
said Couch abruptly. without looking
round-"at least I presume Its Mrs.
O'Rourke, from what you say-have
been kidnapped by a gang Of highbind-
ers and are now aboard junk In the
lower river, which will sail for God
knows-where at the turn Of the tide.
That's the only thing that saves 'em.
Well be on 'em before they're able to
force a way down the river"
O'Rourke groaned, holding his head
with both hands. MY wife ="
he said brokenly.
'T know" Couch interrupted grim
ly; II know how you feel. Miss Pyn-
sent is there, too, you see."
oh" said O'Rourke. 81 didn't un-
derstand that. I'm sorry" He
dropped hand on the younger mans
shoulder and let 1t rest there briefly.
Please God," he said reverently,
"there'll be many another polluted
yellow soul yammering at the gates
Of hell this night"
Amen" said Couch. We
sha'n't be long now"
Silently O'Rourke removed his coat
and waist-coat, his collar and lawn
tie, and turned back his cuffs. Even
ing clothes are hardly the thing to
fight in" he said; "but I'm thinking
'twon't make a deal Of difference to
me. Got any cartridges for a Webley
mark W."
Wheeler has. Give Colonel
O'Rourke few, Wheeler" said Couch,
addressing the orderly.
The latter rummaged in a locker
and pressed into O'Rourke's hand half
dozen cartridges. with which the
adventurer proceeded to reo'enish the
empty chamber in his rev.. er.
"Td only discharged one," he OBJ
served, but It's likely We'll need that,
even, with only the. three of US
against a junk-load."
"Oh, l telephoned for reinforce
ments, of course" returned Couch.
They ought to be there ahead OF
U.s."
What did the coolie tell ye, If ye've
time to TALK"
Couch laughed. II daresay you're
wondering how l made him speak at
ALL"
That's the true word for ye."
81 threatened to cut of his silly pig
tail and send him naked and dishonor-
ed to the ghostly halls of his ances-
tors. It's wonderful how much those
callous brutes dote on that decora-
ton. told him further, that if he
lied, when l found it out I'd return
and shave him bald as an egg, even II
he were dead by that time. So l per-
suaded the truth from him, the whole
story-from his side of it."
I'm listening.
He confessed he was in the pay
like these chaps we're after now-of
a highly respectable Chinese merchant
and head of one Of the tongs-one OF
the richest men in Rangoon, who, 1t
seems, was also after that ruby. l
can't imagine what he wanted OF n,
but that'll come out, probably; the
mans rich enough to buy dozens OF
stones as fine. However l
gather he'd laid his plan far ahead.
The coolies intimated you'd been