The Cairo bulletin., 1914-08-09


tioua.. Blu, he bargain was struck at ten
dollars TOR a moderate beating and the
foreigners were warned that as he was a
delicate old man they must be careful not
to kill him
During the next hour or two the old man
passed the four treasure hunters in their
steamer chairs, but each time the pirate"
ceased talking before he came within ear
shot.
At last the old man stopped in front OF
Pauline and gazed long at the pirate"
lie studied the rascars face, apparently
trying to remember the identity of the
man, Slowly the aged head nodded as IL
ne was saying to himself yes, he is the
same mani"
Then, turning to Pauline and shaking
warming finger, the old man delivered
surprising message.
Pauline was startled The three men
leaped to their feet. 1t was with the ut
most difficulty that she was able to pre-
vent violence owen excused himself to
hunt mp his Spaniards and demand an ex-
PLANTATION for their slowness. TO his sur
prise they declared that they had tackled
him and that he was as quick and powerful
as a gorilla. He had thrashed them both
and they were glad 10 escape with their
lives.
The ex.secretary was incredulous. but
they showed cuts and bruises and de-
manded their money, saying that a joke
aad been played ON them, When Owen
refused one of them drew stilett0 ana
the ten dollars was forthcoming
Returning, ruefully. he related the fail
ure Of the Spaniards. The pirate" at
once said:
"Now, let me handle him"
few moments later Boyd cornered his
ancient adversary on a deserted and wind
swept piece of deck
"Old man" snarled the pirate" 'you
say all my stories are lies. Only your gray
hairs have saved you from thrashing
before this"
IF it's my gray hairs that stop you.
I'll remove that obstacle"
THE pirate" was amazed to see the
aged person take of his hat and remove
a gray wig with his left hand while his
right fist collided with the pirates" eve.
When consciousness returned he was ly-
ing on the deck with no living thing in
sight but a seaguIl aeroplaning on sIanted
wings over his head. His return to the
party was more ruefUl than Ovens.
What is the matter with your eye, Mr..
BOyd?' asked Pauline innocently
"Why, you see.' said the pirate" 81
was looking at a girl with one of these
new slit skirts and l stumbled and bumped
against a ventilator."
Il see" commented Owen to help him
out you sort OF slipped on a sex
appeal, so to speak.
yes" said the sailor, gratefully, 1t
was Just like that"
IT'S a lie" said a high, thin voice from
somewhere, and they noticed that a port
hole behind them was open
Pauline found conversation difficult.
Hicks was man of few words, which gave
him an undeserved reputation for wisdom.
The pirate" had given up spinning yarns
on account Of the old mans unfaling in.
terruption. Ovens mind, too, was pre-
occupied with a growing suspicion So the
adventurous young lady went to her state.
room and wrote a letter to Harry.
The sailor intimated that he had i'm
portant news which could be only told in
the privacy of owens stateroom. The
secretary suspected this to be only a
manoepvre on the pirates" part 10 get
acquainted with the whskey he knew
Owen kept with him. But the seafarer
unfolded the tale of his black eye not
truthfully nor accurately, except in that he
had recognized Harry under the disguise
Of the old man.
81 more than half suspected it." said
owen. and l have been watching his
stateroom. But there is no way any one
can see into his room unless by getting
a look in through the portfolio"
And there's where you get a good
idea said the pirate"
"But there's no good having a peep at
him without his disguise now that it's
Harry" objected Hicks.
mo" said the pirate" turning on
Owen his lustreless sea-green eyes, faded
By much grog 20 dimuess that reminded
one of the faint lights set in ships decks
and known as "dead-eyes" mo. but
your portfolio idea is Just the scheme to
get at him and get rid OF him. ! can slip
down a rope tonight when all is quiet
and the fool passengers are over on the
other side looking at the bloody moon"
"And then what?' said Owen.
"Wen. drink first suggested the
sailor. lingering SUCCESSFULLY the glass on
the washstand
Il wish you would get over that habit
Of stopping for drink every time you
have something to tell us said Owen,
getting the bottle.
"Have to do it," the pirate" assured
him always makes it a point to reward
myself with a drink every time / have
good idea. Sometimes / gives myself the
drink first and hopes to get the idea, and
as honest man ter honest man I'm bound
ter ADMIT ] don't always get the idea.
But. anyway, always gets the drink"
All right what's the idea?"
u goes down the rope and shoots the
old fool mean the young fool--through
the porthole.'
"Whv. that's murder!" cried Owen. We'd
all swing for It."
"No. It ain't murder; it's suicide, cause i.
I'll throw the gun in there wher they'll
find II when they break the door in. and