Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1914-07-08

lfcr the kohinur, for come occult csuts.
was not to be so simply arranged as
| such matters generally are; the pre-
Iliminaries were unusual and-to MIN
unnecessary: he was becoming more
and more puzzled. for he believed that
Brownlow was needIessly investing
the proceedings with an air Of mys-
terry, and this made him FESTIVE.
I'm fearful that It's not to be.
sighed he. heavily. when you hear
the conditions you will back out Ike
ali the rest OF EN-. Seems like these
days nayigators are too busy clipping
coupons and drawing dividends to be
attracted BY little thing Ike double
wages"
| Tom pricked up his ears. Two pas
times had been mentioned which he.
at least, never bad enjoyed. He inter
rupted with an exclamation.
Double wages. Say eagerly II
the games straight don't care TO hear
conditions. Where's your yacht? III
get my dunnage aboard without vast
ing any more time"
The little man bounded from his
chair and began pacing the floor with
short. nervous strides. Every now
and then he would halt with jerk and
address lew remarks 10 Tom. rub his
hands together briskly and dart OF
upon his promenade.
Il declare, Mr.. Phinney," he spoke
yehemently. lin a way this Is rare
stroke of lack for me; but before we
go any further must-my conscience
impels me to tell YOU ahemi -some
things. Certain details must be laid
before you before I allow you. out Of
the generosity OF your nature. to bind
yourself TO any obligation. The condi-
lions, I believe ! may truthfully af-
firm. are extraordinary; indeed, with
out exaggerating the state of affairs. 1
may even go so far as to say that they
are astoundiEgly extraordinary; and l
must put you into possession of such
facts as am at liberty to impart.
"But"-he broke OF abruptly-T
need more than a captain; ! am
| pledged to secure the services of a
| first and second officer and chief en-
gineer. The scamps who have been
serving me In those capaeities-con-
found 'emare poor. miserable. spine
less creatures whose proper walk in
life is between pair OF plow.handles
instead of upon the deck OF a sea-go-
ing craft They are pack OF cow
ards, Mr.. Phinney, when an oppor-
tunity is presented to them that
smacks of adventure. As | have al
ready intimated. I've had the DEVILS
own time trying TO find men for the
blllets, and you'll have to scare 'em up
somehow. somewhere, before six
o'clock, That's the fix I'm in"
but what is It you want TO tell me?"
Tom impauently tried to pin him
down. IF the thing depends upon so
much we haven't any time to spare.
I've a motor below, and I'm pretty sure
j can get the men, aaat ,"
Brownlow threw himself into his
chair and hitched 1t closer to Tom.
Leaning forward. in "a confidential atti-
tude and occasionally emphasizing his
remarks with vigorous tap upon the
young mans knee, he impressively be-
gan:
"Looky here. Mr.. Phinney- here's
the way of it. A certain party wants
to charter the Kohinur for an indef-
mite period. Ordinarily ! wouldn't lis
ten To such a proposal, but he offered
me sum OF money that quite took my
breath away. and-ahem Ito be frank
with you. Just now I need the money
more than do the boat DO you get
me? Well! He put it up to me to
find the men ! have mentioned
OF the crews all right--but the enter
prise is wholly secret. Understand?
Secret They baked. And there you
are"
"A-hal" interjected the bewildered
listener. who was now beginning to see
light. THAT listens well-if the
things not crooked"
Crooked" shouted Brownlow,
aghast at the very idea. Young man,
do you think | would lend myself to
anything crooked" Tom did not com
init himself. and the other went on
with much warmth. GAS say. the en-
terprise is secret: myself am igno,
rant OF it's nature: but-believe me,
| MF. fhihhey--it Is lhuofSeu py name
that would astonish YOU were ! at lib
erty to mention it. In point of fact. il
was that name that finally influenced
me TO accept the offer. Crooked? God
bless my soul. mol"
Tom was already upon his feet. IF
that's all ~ 80 hunt for men. We
haven't any .ime to lose. What thenT'
CHAPTER II.
The Voiee In the park