The Lakeland evening telegram., 1913-12-22
Used. but somewhat tarn1sneu, BRASS

letters.
"You can read, can't you?" was the
impudent reply.
Look here, my man; you answer
civil question civilly, and say sir
when you speak to me. Do yget me?'
The sailor recoiled with dropped
jaw.
"Beg pardon, sir" he made haste to
conciliate. You're Captain Phinney
i didn't know"
Answer my question:
Eyes, sir; this is the Kohinur's
launch. l was waiting for you Mr..
Brownlow's on board now"
Look at that lettering" went on
Tom sternly, indicating the name on
the bow; "as green and dull as an ola
brass kettle. And what do y'mean,
coming after your captain in a soiled
rig like that? You'll put in the rest OF
the evening washing and ironing It..
By which episode 1t may be seen
that Tom Phinney Of the Powhatan,
and Captain Phinney of the yacht
Kohinur, were two distinctly different
personalities-a detail worth remem'
bering in the light of what is to follow
later on.
When Tom swung aboard at the
head of his recruits, his appraising
eye took in at once the decks untidy
appearance, the indolent attitudes OF
the watch and the men forward, and IN
the face of so many evidences of lax
discipline he utterly ignored Brown.
lows demonstrations Of JOY at his ap-
pearance. He addressed his mate:
"Will you look at this canal-barge,
Mr.. Mercer? Put those loafers to work
at once, and make 'em jump. Charter.
er's coming aboard tonight, and Ia be
ashamed to look him in the face If
had to meet him in pig-pen like this.
Get down the Observation-Disclosures
he can't climb a rope The bosun will
take the launch ashore after supper
and wait for the party" He wheeled
abruptly upon the sailor Of the launch.
What's your name?"
Charlie Winnard, sir"
very we'll, Charlie Winnard; you
know what you have to do, so step
lively. And you might pass a word
along to your mates; the first man
that shows himself above-deck in rig
as filthy as yours will do his watchs
laundry for week. Get along with
you."
AYE, aye, sir" And the man sa.
luted and stepped away with alacrity.
A moment later Tom and the owner
were alone in the charthouse away
from the confusion. Mr.. Brownlow got
down to business Immediately. He fur
nlshed Tom with list of stewards
supplies, comprising everything from
gasoline for the launch to champagne
for the passengers, glance at which
made the skipper open his eyes.
"Whew!" he whistled. "That reads
like a Rector menu; we shan't go
hungry or dry in the officers mess,
anyhow"
I'D like to do things right" returned
Brownlow, rubbing his spare hands
with obvious satisfaction. There
will be ladies in the party, and they
are very particular people,"
"Ladies!" exclaimed Captain Phin-
ney, scowling. "On secret cruise? l
don't like that"
The other nodded. But you won't
have to worry about them. +.
Now want to give you your final in.
structions; they are brief and not diff.
f1cult to follow; then must be getting
along.
First, the charterer and party will
want to come aboard somewhere
around nine o'clock tonight; he will
bring you note from me.
Second, 1t is uncertain when YOU
Will sail; but fires must be kept
banked in readiness to clear at any
time."
Third, after nightfall the boat must
be kept dark-all interior lights close
ly shaded-none whatever displayed
on or above deck except your regula,
tion port and starboard lights.
Fourth, nobody is to be permitted
to come aboard or go ashore without
the charterer's express permission. I
believe that's ALL"
Tom stared at the slight figure op-
posfte him, and ran his fingers through
his thatch b of close black curls.
"Is this going to be smuggling
stunt% demanded he, frankly bewil.
dered. "Or are we going to kidnap
an heiress?"
"Kidnap an heiress!" echoed Brown.
low. God bless my soul! What put
that notion into your headH told Won
that I am ignorant Of the nature of the
charterer's object-save that it is hon.
est!"
"Humph!" Tom grunted. 1T doesn't
sound honest"
"Pll admit that there is good deal
Of mystery about the affair that do
/ 070 0.5N7 II1771 M