The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-07-25
Written by Charles Godd
the DISTINGUISHED Playwright.

l811S0 I 10yW11X4k1s
board for q very reasonable sum add.
tonal. But the bargain was struck ct ten
dollars for moderate beating, and the
foreigners were warned that ~ he was .
delicate old man they must be careful not
to kiu 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 az
Pauline and gazed long at the pirate
He studied the rascals face, apparently
trying to remember the identity Of the
man. Slowly the aged head nodded ~ II
he was saying to himself yes. no b the
same mani"
Then, turning to Pauline and Shaking .
warming finger, the old man delivered .
surprlsfn0 message.
Pauline was startled The three men
leaped to their feet. It was with the ut
most difficulty that she was able to pre-
vent violence owen excused himsen to
hunt up his Spaniards and demand IN ex-
PLANTATION for their slowness. To his sur
prise they declared that they had tackled
him and that he was AZ quick and powerful
as q gorilla. He had thrashed them both
and they were glad to escape with their
lives.
The exsecretary was incredulous but
they showed cuts and bruises and de-
handed their money. sayine that q joke
mad been played on them. When Owen
the ten dollars was forthcoming.
Returning, ruefully. he related the fail
ure of the Spaniards. The pirate" ct
once said:
"Now. let me handle him.
few moments later Boyd cornered hiS
ancient adversary on . deserted and wind
swept piece Of deck.
"Old man." snarled the pirate" 'yoa
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 SEQ the
aged person take OF his hat and remove
q gray wig with his left; hand while his
right fist collided with the pirates" eye.
ing on the deck with no living thing In
sight but a seagun aeroplaning on slanted
wings over his head. His return to the
party was more rueful than Owens.
"What is the matter with your eye, Mr..
Boyd? asked Pauline innocently.
why, you see," said the pirate" Il
was looking at girl with one OF these
new slit skirts and stumbled and bumped
against a ventiator."
81 see." commented Owen to help him
out You sort Of slipped on . sex
appeal. so to speak
"Yes," said the sailor. gratefully. II
was just like that"
"It's a lie,' said . high, thin voice from
somewhere, and they noticed that port
hole behind them was open.
Pauline found conversation difficult
Hicks was q 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 unfailing in
terruptton. Owens mind, too, was pre-
occupied with growing suspicion. So the
a Afp0va 1n<S~ - -
room and wrote letter to Harry.
The sailor intimated that he had Inn
pOftant news which could be only told I'm
the privacy of Owens stateroom. The
secretary suspected this to be only a
manoeuvre on the pirates" part to get
acquainted with the whiskey 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.
II more than half suspected It" said
Owen, !" and I have been watching his
stateroom. But there is NO way any enc
can see into his room unless by getting
. look in thrclgh the portfolio"
And there's where you get good
idea." said the pirate"
But there's no good having peep ct
him without his disguise now that it's
Harry" objected Hicks
NO." said the pirate" turning ON
Owen his lusfrele8S sea-Green eyes. faoeo
by much grog to dimness 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 q rope tonight when all IL quiet
and the fool passengers are over ON the
other side looking 1t the bloody moon
And then whatf' said Owen.
well. Z drink hrst." suggested the
sailor. lingering suggestively the glass On
the washstand.
Il wish you would get over that habit
Of stopping for q 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 point to TOWARD
myself with drink every time have
good idea Sometimes gives myself the
drink irst and hopes to get the idea. ana
as honest man ter honest man I'm b0md
ter admit don't always get the ioea-
But, anyway, 1 always gets the drink
IAN right, what's the idea!
II goes down the rope and shooes me
old fool mean the young fool-throuen
the portfolio.
~Why. that's murder.- cried Owen. We'd
al swing for IT.
mo, It amt murder; It's suicide. cause
IN throw the gun IN there where they'll
ind Il when they break the door m ana
4 H. - = ~