The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1914-05-09

cabin and find my razors. boys. IN
nave EN- bring you some nice, hot
water, and Quick's we get ashore
us all day steaming to Relampag
from here In this craft-1'll buy you
all white clothes. 30 you won't stand
out from the crowd like. And now
a spell"
He pattcd their backs and beckoned
imperiously to the ham, ha nded sailor
That person appeared almost az soon
az Mr.. McWirt himself and quite po-
Iitely led them TO the captains cabin,
He bore steaming hot water and
poured 1t for them: he laid clean tow
els on the captains bunk, and said
that the razors were in the little cup
board. And when he was gone the
spanish Brute considered his chief for
a minute. as did tho Snake: and the
Brute voiced the sentiments OF both
when he stepped forward awkwardly
and said alphabetically:
II want to tell you, Bob. that I
we'll. I take back any little kicks
I've been putting up. I guess you
picked this old guy right, after ALL"
The chief. stropping his razor.
smiled serenely.
II guess I did. Bill" he said mod
estly. II think so"
When the sun was touching the
horizon they dropped anchor Just in
side the long harbor OF Relampago,
and at the rail stood Captain Velvet,
studying the distant city with obvious
pleasure. At his side stood the shaven
trio, who also studied II with pleasure,
since II promised leisure for life at
such slight risk
Presently a speedy little gas-iaunch
came Swimming down the harbor and
drew UP alongside the Glory b.. and
Captain Velvet turned 10 his first
and second and third-ofiicer.
We'll. there she lies. Mr.. McWirt,"
he said. and I dunno's I'd fire that
salute l mentioned unless send
man out here with word. In case l
do. you might drop down about
mile nearer town: or II you happen
Go soc that nag Of Mikes go up any
whore. you might let her 70. anyway.
Don't allow anybody on board. and
that's all. 7 think. Come on boys"
he said TO the trio.
Two brown men manned the swift
little launch. They removed their
caps and showed their teeth when
Capt. Velvet appeared: they bowed
some thir;y-fivc or forty times and
Chartered greetings in strange
tongue. And at tho sight of them
and the rather bored manner in
which thu captain received their
greetings Pollard thrilled queerly.
The captain represented power here,
and for once they were on the side OF
respectable power.
they ran into n little private dock,
some squares from what appeared to
be the business section " the city.
Some two dozen men were grouped
here out OF sight OF the street, and
they. too. barred their heads and
bowed with amazing respect
They buttonholed the captain and
talked to HIM: and he released him.
self presently and permitted the most
important of tho gentlemen to escort
them TO n waiting automobile, to see
them comfortably settled. and then,
hat in hand. to watch the liveried
negro drive them swiftly down the
hot narrow little street.
Followed pause AZ a s-,all. ready
made clothing establishment, where
the trio discarded their battered gar
mcnts and blossomed out in spotiess
white; and IT is noteworthy that they
watched with no emotion at all as
the captain paid for the things with
bills from the selfsame collection OF
hanknotes they had failed so dis
mally TO acquire
Carefully ne had picked out the
Knot OF the Irvine string and taken
a collection Of small notes from un-
der the thousand dollar one: care
fully he had twisted the Irvine and
tied II again; and though they real
lied that there must he fifteen or
twenty thousand dollars in plain
sight. they no more than smiled hap
ply, for they had come to the land
where money grew on trees.
The car rolled on apa,r, STONED
at certain corner, and the captain
them to descend and follow
him. They did II with alacrity. the
captain linking arms with Pollard
and the others stepping along behind.
The streets Of Relampago seemed
10 be filling up rapidly: knots Of
people were standing everywhere,
some conversing in undartone. others
tabbcring with happy abandon.
Streams Of people walked before the
little shops, and, At rough estimate,
at least every second man removed
his hat to tho captain and cvery
second one OF the as,oundngly pretty
women smiled at him.
Three squares, and they turned into
a narrower way. hurried along II and
turned again. hurried once more
through a silent street OF white
houses, and then quite suddenly
plunged back into the heart OF activ-
tiles once more and were all hut
showed straight M n narrow stairway
In corner building,
When they had como to the top Of
the stairway. wondering n little. they
observed that even Captain Velvet
seemed slightly disturbed; that he
spent n solid minute looking down
ward to the street. as II expecting
10 be followed. before rapping thrice
upon n white door.
within. locks ratified mysteriously
and tho doors opened, just n crack,
and one black eye appeared; and
then the door was thrown wide open
and the captain was saying sharply.
straight in there-quick."
The door clicked on his heels and
he locks ratified again. Captain Vel
vet glanced quickly about a dusky
little second nOor restaurant. two
tables OF which were occupied. each
by two men. At each Of them a man
rose. looked straight al the captain,
and th'n, crooking tho first two fin
gers Of his right hand, atraightened
hem. crooked them again. and sat
down.
The CAPTAIN permitted himself
sigh Of relief.
IT'S all right" he chucklcd
That's Mikes private sign. I'm