The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1912-08-16
Copyright Igl BY Louis Joseph Vance

Oopyright iSi. BY Louis Joseph Vance
A night Of velvet blackness, softly
Opaque, lay upon land and water. The
police launch, shuddering with the vi
brations of q 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 direc-
lions, 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 we're 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 80 slight craft
at such high speed through that
Stygian darkness; yet the sub-chief
was accomplishing the feat without a
observable trace Of fear or tremor
Of uncertainty.
O'Rourke sat beside him. In the
stern q police orderly acted as me-
chanic, attending to the motor. These
three, no more, made up the rescue
party.
Though devoured by impotence and
anxiety, O'Rourke forbore to question
Couch, hesitating to divert his atten-
ton from his task and knowing that
40 soon as he could the young lieu
tenant would speak. From the time
when the coolie had yielded, there
had been not Q seconds rest for eth
er: neither had had time to confer
save ON questions Of the most imme-
diate 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
souId-"at least presume it's Mrs.
ORourke, from what you say-have
tsen kidnapped by q gang Of highbind.
eSs and are now aboard junk in the
tower river, which will sail for God.
tnows-where at the turn Of the tide.
That's the only thing that saves 'em.
Wen b on EN- before they're able to
toree . way down the river"
O'Rourke groaned, holding his head
WiSA both hands. my wife ="
- said broksnly. -- ..
Il know" Couch interrupted grim
b: n know how you feel. Miss Pyn-
&ent n there, too; you see." p.
''Oh," said 0'Ronrke, Il didn't un-
1efstand that. -. I'm sorry" He
dropped . hand on the younger mans
shoulder and let IL, rest there briefly.
please God" he said reverently.
"tAere'n be many another polluted
ssllcw soul yammering at the gates
n hell this night"
"Ansn!" said Couch. We
SAA'n't b long now"
silently O'Rourke removed his coat
and waist-cOat, his collar and lawn
10, and turned back his cuffs. Even
hg clothes are hardly the thing to
asht in" he said; but Pm thinking
tv0n't make . deal of difference to
ne. Got any cartridges for q Webley
park W." Of,
wheeler has. Give Colonel
0'ROurke few, Wheeler" said Couch,
addressing the orderly.
The latter rummaged in q locker
md pressed into ORourke's hand half
! dozen cartridges, with which the !
ldventurer proceeded to replenish the
pmpty chamber in his revolver.
I'D only discharged one," he OBJ
served, but it's likely we'll need that,
wen. with only the three Of US
against q junk-load."
"Oh, ] teleph0ned for reinforce
Aents. of course" returned Couch.
They ought to be there ahead OF
~"
What did the coolie tell ye. if ye've
line to TALK"
Couch laughed. II daresay you're
wondering how I made him speak at
ILL.,"
That's the true word for ye."
81 threatened to cut on his silly pig
Nil and send him naked and dishonor-
I'd TO the ghostly halls of his ances-
sors. It's wonderful how much those
tallous brutes dote on that decora-
dea. told him further. that II he
-. when found 1t out I'd return ]
and shave him bald a. an egg. even n
~ we're dead by that time. SO ] per-
suAdsd the truth from him. the whole
story-from his side Of It."
I'm listening. :" :.
He confessed he was in the pay
A1ks these chaps we're after now-0f
Q highly respectable Chinese merchant
end head Of one Of the tongs-One OF
ehe richest men in Ransoon. who. It
Oos0s, Was also after that ruby. !
east IMAGINE what ~ wanted Of II.
but that'n come out. probably; the
mas's rich enough to buy dossns Of
o1oaoo - Ans. However
0nlher he'd laid his plan far ahead.
~ COOLIES isttmsted you'd been
vatshed al the way from BOMBAY. A. 4
~ events, IL bsetss were ready
49, you arrived; syphsr was .
1esnsl nAn from TIE moment y0u
$3.50 over the Pool Of Flame. They
ppvyounled hie hopss this night. oon-