River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-16
CHAPTER xIII.-(continued.)

CHAPTER NtII.-(Continueo.J
He mopped his brow, simply (as be-
fitted one of his apparent station in
Iife) with the back OF hand, ana
stood erect, exulting in the scent. the
indescribable, impalpable. ins1stent
odor of the East that is forgotten OF
none who had ever known It, The hot
wind drove 1t gustily in his face, and
he shifted and dew great lungfuls
and was glad.
"'Tis good" no said simply. And,
a bit later, while on the short-line the
brazen arcs were beginning to pop out
silently: There's the customs boat.
I'm thinking I'll slip below"
No lamps had yet been lighted be-
low, but O'Rourke knew the way to
his room. He entered and shut the
door. The afterglow of the sunset,
entering through the portfolio, rem
dered the little coop light enough for
his purpose. Dropping to his knees,
the Irishman pulled his kit-box from
beneath the bunk.
The lid came up freely as he
touched it. For full minute he did
not breathe Then, in ominous 81
lence, he bent and examined the lock.
It became Immediately evident that
his memory had not tricked him; the
trunk was locked, as he had left it
that morning But the clasp had
yielded to a cold chisel.
1t was hardly worth the trouble,
still O'Rourke rummaged through the
contents of the box, assuring himself
that the channels bag was gone. So
far as he could determine then, moth
ing else had been taken.
He shut down the lid and sat down
to think 1t out, eyes hard, face grimly
expressionless, only an intermittent
nervous clenching and opening of his
hands betraying his gathering rage
and excitement. At length he arose,
determination in his port.
One phrase alone escaped him:
And not a gun to me namei"
He went on deck. Already the trop-
ic night had closed down upon the
harbor, but 1t was easy enough to To-
cate the captain and first officer, still
waiting at the gangway. From over
side arose the splutter of launch-a
raucous sound, yet one that barely rip
pied the surface of O'Rourke's con-
seriousness. He stepped quickly to
the captains side and touched him
gently on the arm.
Captain" he said quickly, I'll be
asking the favor of word with We in
private"
Hole caught the CLEAN of the Irish
mans eye in the lamplight and
stepped back pace
Get forrard," he said CURLY. "Carn't
you see the customs officer coming
aboard? I'll see you later"
"Ye will not. Yell hear me now,
captain"
Hole backed further away. "Wot!"
ne barked hoarsely, raising his voice.
'sWot! I'll show you 'oo's master
aboard this ship. Get forrard to your
quarters! S'help-me-gawd!" he ex-
ploded violently. 800 ever heard the
like of it?"
O'Rourke stepped nearer, his fists
closing. Drop that tone, We scud!"
he cried. Dye want me to spoil your
little gamer"
The shot went home. The captain
gasped, and in the darkness O'Rourke
fancied he lost a shade or two of his
rudy color.
"Wotcher mean?" he demanded, low
ering his tone.
Il mean" replied O'Rourke in a
quick whisper. that the Egyptian Gus
toms officer is at the side Return
what we've stolen from me this day.
or I'll tell the whole harbor what
we've been up to! And, if We want
me to be more explicit, perhaps the
word 'hashish' viii refresh your mem
oryl"
I'll talk to you later"
Yen give me back me property this
minute or
O'Rourke was rail in a stride.
-Shall | tell him? ne demanded.
a swift step sounded beside him.
lie turned an instant too late. who had
aeckoned without Dennison. AS he
moved to protect himself the first of
ficers fist caught the Irishman Just
under the ear. And one hundred and
aeventy-five pounds Of man and malice
we're Sehind it. O'Rourka shot into