Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1914-06-20

for the Kohinur. for come occult cause,
was not to be 30 simply arranged az
such matters generally are; the pre-
liminaries were unusual and--to hini-
unnecessary; he was becoming more
and more puzzled, for he believed that
Browniow was needlessly 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 like
all the rest of EN- Seems like these
days navigators are too busy clipping
coupons and drawing dividends to be
attra' ted 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-'1
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 a few remarks to Tom, rub his
| hands together briskly and dart off
upon his promenade.
Il declare, Mr.. Phinney." he spoke
| vehemently, 'fn a way this is a rare
stroke of luck for me; but before we
go any further | must-my conscience
/ impels me to tell you-ahem! some
things. Certain details must be laid
before you before / allow you. out of
the generosity Of your nature. to bind
yourself to any obligation. The condi-
tons, | 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 |
must put you into possession Of such
facts as / am at liberty to impart.
"But"-he broke off abruptly
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 eapacities-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 sea-go-
ing craft. They are pack OF cow
ardii, Mr.. Phinney. when an oppor-
tunity is presented to them that
smacks Of adventure. AS / have al
ready lntimatsd, I've had the DEVILS
own time trying to find men for the
,billets, and you'll have to scare EN- 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. III the thing depends upon so
much we haven't any time to spare.
I've motor below. and I'm pretty sure
| can get the men"
Brownlow threw himself into his
chair and hitched It closer to Tom.
Leaning forward. in a confidential atti.
tude and occasionally emphasizing his
remarks with a 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 Kohlnur for an indefi.
mite period. Ordinarily | wouldn't lis
ten to such proposal. but he offered
me sum of money that quite took my
breath away, and-aheml--to be frank
with you, just now | need the money
more than do the boat. Do you get
me? Well He put it up to me to
find the men l have mentioned-rest
of the crews all right-but the enter
prise is wholly secret Understand
Secret! They baked. And there you
are"
"Aha!" 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 tC
anything crooked?" Tom did not com
NIT himself, and the other went or
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 Endorsed by 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? Coz
bless my soul. no."
Tom was already upon his feet. II
that's all III go hunt for men. We
haven't any time to lose. What them
CHAPTER u.