The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1914-04-03

along.
First, the charterer and party will
want to come aboard somewhere
around nine o'clock tonight; he will
bring you a note from me.
Second. 1t is uncertain when you
will sail; but fires must be kept
banked in readiness to clear at any
time"
Third, after nightfall the boat must
be kept dark-all interior lights close
ly shaded--none whatever displayed
on or above deck except your reguIa'
ton port and starboard lights.
Fourth. nobody In to be permitted
to come aboard or go ashore without
the charterer's express permission.
believe that's ALL"
Tom stared at the slight figure op-
posite him, and ran his fingers through
his thatch of close black curls.
us this going to be smuggling
stunt?" demanded he, frankly bewil-
dered. "Or are we going to kidnap
an heiress?"
"Kidnap an heiress!" echoed Brown
low. God bless my soul! What put
that notion into your head? told you
that am ignorant OF the nature OF the
charterer's object-save that 1t is hon
est!"
"Humph!" Tom grunted. at doesn't
sound honest"
"I'll admit that there Is a good deal
of mystery about the affair that ! do
not like; but" And Mr.. Brownlow
waved hand In gesture that re-
called to the other the Name which
could not be mentioned.
The owner, after final outburst OF
gratitude and satisfaction at having
been, as he expressed it, Saved" at
the last moment. took his departure;
and 1t was not until he had gone that
it occurred to Tom that the charterer's
name had not been once mentioned.
At this neglected detail he expressed
his wonder in the classic language of
one of New York city's former police
chiefs:
Nov wouldn't that blow your hat in
the river!"
He then took over the personal su-
pervision Of the cleaning-up process.
to such good purpose that by nightfall
the yacht was as spick and span as q
battleship.
1t was perhaps close to ten o'clock
or four bells of the first watch
when Tom, arrayed to his satisfaction.
heard the officer of the watch respond
to the launch's hail. He hurried on
deck and stationed himself at the
head Of the accommodation-steps men,
tally deploring the absence. Of lights.
A stir came up from the river, but
the launch was invisible. In a mo.
ment mans head and shoulders
doomed dimly in the gangway He
stepped upon the deck and, leaning to-
ward Tom, peered into his face in a
vain attempt to make out his features.
To Tom, the mans face was quite in
guishable-merely q denser blot
against the blackness.
rs this the captain?" inquired a
voice strangely familiar.
Tom started with surprise. Where
had he heard that voice before? He
could not recollect on the spur of the
moment, but for some inexplicable rea-
son 1t seemed 30 necessary that he
should, and he tried 30 hard to do SO,
that the man was obliged to repeat his
question.
II beg your pardon" Tom STAN
mered. Il am Captain Phinney"
It was only natural that he should
expect to hear his questioner's name
In return, or to be handed the note of
introduction mentioned by Brownlow;
but the man walked away without an
other word.
The others we're following one an
other rapidly. until five dim shapes
were ranged along the deck, wholly
invisible In the shadow of the super
structure.
All at once the now very alert skip
per directed his attention to murmur
OF feminine voices In the launch. The
ladies, manifestly. were finding con-
siderable amusement In pretending a
hazardous embarkation, for their
transfer from the smaller craft to the
steps was accompanied by little terri
fed shrieks and much subdued laugh
ter. In a moment one came quickly
and agilely up to the deck, halted and
turned around. Her outline presented
only the vaguest sort of blur
Welcome to the Kohinur!" she
called back gayly to whoever remained
below.
And IL Tom had started at sound of
the mans voice, what words are ade-
quate to describe his sensations now?
None, 1t is to be regretted. Keeling
backward until he stayed himself by
a mechanical clutch at the rail, he
chung there. electrified with amaze.
ment-stupid with incredibly. II the
sun had suddenly burst into view over
head he could have been no more com
pletely overcome.
Next instant, however, conviction
was hammered home. Two other laugh
ing figures had Joined the first. the
three blending In one faint outline.
when he again heard the voice.
Dear mel" Il complained. How