The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-04-05

gravely I'm stupid Captain Hole.
and a bit deaf in me off ear" This,
however, was a polite lie.
That explyns It." agreed the molli-
fed man. TITS ole, plyn Will'm ole,
master Of the Pelican, fryghter. just
in from Malta"
A light Of interest kindled in
o'Rourke's eyes. He reviewed the man
with more respect, as due to one who
might prove useful. And bound-?"
he insinuated oraftily.
Alexandria Just dropped
in for a d'y or two to pick up a bit
OF cargo from a chap down at Piraeus.
It's devlish 'ot and thought as 'ow
I'd tyke a run up and see the city
-'aving a bit Of time free, y'know."
Surely" sighed O'Rourke, a far
away look In his eyes. For Alexan-
dria, eh? Faith. I'd like to be sailing
with ye."
Again the captain eyed oRourke
askance "Wot for?" he demanded
directly. "The Pelican's a slow old
tramp. You can pick up a swlfter pas
sage on 'arf-a-dozen boats a day"
Tis meself that knows that. sure"
assented the Irishman. IT'S but a
trihing difficulty about ready money
that detains me" he pursued boldly,
with a confidential jerk Of his head.
There's a bit Of stuG-no matter
what-that don't want to pass
through the Custom House at Alex
andria. I'm not saying a word. cap
tai, but if could smuggle II into
Egypt, the profit would be great
enough to pay me passage-money a
dozen times over. I'm saying this to
ye in strict confidence, for, being an
Englishman, ye won't let on"
Never fear" Hole asserted stout
ly. Umm. Er-I don't mind
telling you, Mr.. O'Rourke, | some
times do a little in that line myself.
Being a casual tramp and sometimes
lyd by for weeks at a stretch for want
Of consignment"
Not another word, captain. | un-
derstand perfectly. Win ye be having
bit of drink, now?"
Captain Hole would. 1T won't 'urt
to talk this over" he remarked. Per
APPS we might myke some sort Of a
dicker."
Faith, It's meself that's agreeable. q"
laughed the Irishman lightly.
And when, at midnight that night.
he parted from a moist and senti-
mental sailor-man, whose capacity for
liquor-even including the indescrib-
able native retsinato and masticha-
had proved enormous, the arrangement
had been arrived at signed, sealed
and delivered by a clasping of hands
And it was ORourke 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 ioin
the Pelican at noon.
ANPS " h4fGA uG udS I'VE
pounds" announced O'Rourke later,
frowning dubiously.
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 Pm dealing with. Besides. It's
sure | am to find Danny"
He arose and resumed his packing.
blowing an inaudibe little air through
his puckered lips. "Divvilish awkward
If / don't By the Gods! I'd
all but misremembered
He failed to state exactly what he
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