The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1914-03-27

desk, upon which he thoughtfully
drummed with his fingers, every now
and then directing sharp glance at
his caller. Tom was beginning to real
ize that the employment Of captain
for the Kohinur, for some occult cause,
was not to be 80 simply arranged as
such matters generally are; the pre-
liminaries were unusual and-to him
unnecessary; he was becoming more
and more puzzled. for he believed that
Brownlow 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 'em. Seems like these
days navigators are too busy clipping
coupons and drawing dividends to be
attracted 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
Iuptcu Will al cACidlUdllOH.
Double wages! Say"-eagerly-"if
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 few remarks to Tom, rub his
hands together briskly and dart off
upon his promenade.
81 declare, Mr.. Phinney," he spoke
vehemently, 'in 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 l allow you, out OF
the generosity of your nature, to bind
yourself to any obligation. The condi-
tons, l believe ! may truthfully af-
firm, are extraordinary; indeed, with
out exaggerating the state of affairs, l
may even go so far as to say that they
are astoundingly extraordinary; and l
must put you into possession of such
facts as am at liberty to impart.
"But"-he broke of abruptly
need more than a captain; l am
pledged to secure the services of a
gineer. The scamps who have been
serving me in those capacities-con-
found 'em-are poor, miserable, spine
less creatures whose proper walk in
life is between pair OF plow-handles
instead of upon the deck Of sea-go-
ing craft. They are pack of cow
ards, Mr.. Phinney, when an oppor-
tunity is presented to them that
smacks OF adventure. AS / have al
ready intimated, I've had the devils
own time trying4to find men for the
billets, and you'll have to scare 'em up
somehow, somewhere, before six
o'clock. That's the fix I'm in"
But what is it you want to tell me?"
Tom impatiently tried to pin him
down. IF the thing depends upon so
much we haven't any time to spare.
I've a 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 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 Kohinur for an indefi-
mite period. Ordinarily wouldn't lis
ten to such proposal, but he offered
me sum OF money that quite took my