Rocky Ford enterprise., 1914-09-04

| for the Kohinur. for some occult cause.
was not to be SO simply arranged as
such matters generally are; the pre-
liminaries were unusual and-to him
unnecessary; he was becoming more
and more puzzled, for he believed that
Brownlow was needlessly investing
| the proceedings with an air of mys-
terry, and this made him restive.
I'm fearful that it's not to be-"
sighed he, heavily. When you hear
the conditions you will back out like
all the rest of 'em. Seems like these
days navigators are too busy clipping
coupons and drawing dividends to be
attracted by little thing like double
| wages.'
Tom pricked up his ears. Two pas
times had been mentioned which he.
at least. never had enjoyed. He inter
rupted with an exclamation.
Double wages! Say'-eagerly-'if
the games straight don't care to hear
conditions. Where's your yacht? I'll
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 a few remarks to Tom. rub his
hands together briskly and dart OF
upon his promenade.
'T declare. Mr.. Phinney," he spoke
vehemently, "in way this is a rare
stroke of luck for me: but before we
go any further I must-my conscience
impels me to tell you-ahem!-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-
tions, l believe / may truthfully af-
firm. are extraordinary: indeed. with
out exaggerating the state of affairs,
| may even go SO far as to say that they
are astoundingly extraordinary; and l
| must put you into possession of such
ia cts 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 a chief en-
gineer. The scamps who have been
serving me in those capacities-con-
found 'em-are poor, miserable. spine
less creatures whose proper walk In
life is between a pair Of plow-handles
instead Of upon the deck OF a sea-go-
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 fnd men for the
billets. and you'll have to scare 'em up
somehow. somewhere. before six
o'clock. That's the fix I'm in"
But what is 1t you want to tell me!"
Tom impatiently 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
| I can get the men,"
| BrownIow threw himself into his
chair and hitched 1t closer to Tom.
Leaning forward, in a confidential atti-
tude and occasionally empha sizing 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 indefi-
mite period. Ordinarily I wouldn't lis
ten to such a proposal. but he offered
me sum of money that quite took my
breath away. and-ahem!-to be frank
with you. Just now ! need the money
more than l do the boat. Do you get
me? Well! He put It up to me to
find the men ! have mentioned-rest
of the crews all right-but the enter
prise Is wholly secret. Understand
Secret! They balked. And there you
are"
"A.ha!" 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
NIT himself. and the other went on
with much warmth. "As ! say. the en-
terprise is secret: l myself am igno-
rant of Its nature; but-believe me.
Mr.. Phinney-it is indorsed by a name
that would astonish you were ! at lib
erty to mention it. In point of fact. II
was that name that finally Influenced
me to accept the offer. Crooked? God
bless my soul, no!'
Tom was already upon his feet. IF
that's all I'll go hunt for men. We
haven't any time to lose. What them"
| CHAPTER u.