The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-01-09

- Tncruuer WIN scowI and DIunxIy
asked him what he wanted.
The man stepped inside and closed
the door.
Il have learned" said he. that no
one is allowed to go ashore: I don't
particularly mind about that; but |
came away rather hurriedly, and I
would like to send a message to my
my people. Would there be any objeo-
ton to that?"
The fellows manner was furtive
and clandestine, and Tom was a bit
puzzled. Before he could reply. the
other drew sealed envelope from his
pocket and laid it on the table, and
upon this he laid a ten-dollar bill
| Whoever takes that letter ashore"
! said the man, "and finds a trustworthy
messenger who will deliver it right
away, can split the ten-spot with him;
f1ivver's not picked up for an hours
| easy work every day, but it's worth
something to keep ones folks from
worrying"
Sweeping aside the bill, Tom me-
chemically picked up the envelope and
glanced at it.
| He did not start or betray by any
| sign that the address gave him a dis
tinct shock of surprise; his suscepti-
! bilities were become calloused to any
/ fresh sensations of this nature; but
/ nevertheless he was amazed to see
that the name upon the envelope was
none other than Mr.. Phineas Flints.
The street number-which Tom could
not identify-was police headquarters.
my uncle" explained the man,
glibly.
! Very carefully Tom replaced the en-
velope and upon top of it the bill;
| then he leaned back and fixed the man
with look.
See here" he demanded with alb
rupt authority, Just how do you come
to be on this yacht, anyhow"
The mans countenance expressed
establishment. Hasn't Mr.. Willard
told your" he asked.
sit makes no difference what Mr..
! Willard has told me-I'm asking you''
This abrupt manner left the man IN
ruffied.
why, it was this way" he said
easily. "My uncle learned Thursday
that Mr.. Willard was in town, looking
for a young man to take the place of
somebody that had been hurt; | was
| wanting job, and he put me wise to
it. Mr.. Willard was in something of a
hurry, and it didn't take us long to
| strike bargain
This explanation was Illuminating
1t required but a seconds reflection to
array the whole thing clear in Toms
mind and at the same time definitely
fix the mans status.
Flint at last had struck Willard's
trail; the latter's urgent need to find
man to take Calls place had in
some manner come to the detectives
ears, and he had been quick to take ad
vantage of it. Flint knew in a gen
eral way what Willard wanted, and
had hastily picked a Central Office
man that would fill the requirements
Manifestly there had been no time to
post him; he was expected to com
municate with Flint as soon as the
quarry was located-hence the letter
Tom was guided to a speedy de
cision by several considerations. TIC
antagonize this man might mean thu
upsetting of Wizards plans at the
very moment of their fulfillment; te
retain his good will would leave a rep
resentative of the adverse interests or
the premises, who could Illustrate VIII
lard IL the latter's schemes really were
to interfere It would be the detect
ives role to wait and watch, and al
John Calls substitute he would be
given excellent opportunities to learr
what was going on.
"Sit down." said Tom presently. Al
the man obeyed. he stood up and
thrusting his hands into his JACKIE
pockets. coolly surveyed the other.
ut happens" he went on; that
know your uncle pretty well myself.
The man gave him quick, SHARP
glance, but said nothing. Il would ad
wise you not to attempt to send thai
letter ashore. It's my opinion that yor
can serve Flint's ends better by doing
just what Willard has employed you tt
do and nv irving not to excite Will