The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1914-07-16

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, it 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 regula.
ton port and starboard lights.
Fourth, nobody is to be permitted
to come aboard or go ashore without
the charterer's express permission. !
believe that's all"
Ton stared at the slight figure OPP
posite him, and ran his fingers through
his thatch OF close black curls.
rs this going TO be a smuggling
s%tunt?" demanded he. frankly Devil,
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 obtect-save that it is hon,
est"
"Humph!" Tom grunted. 'It doesn't
sound honest"
IN admit that there is a good deal
OF mystery about the affair that / do
not like; but" And Mr.. Brownlow
waved a hand In a gesture that re-
called TO the other the Name which
could not be mentioned.
The owner, after a final outburst of
gratitude and satisfaction at having
been, as he expressed il, saved" at
the last moment, took his departure;
and il vas not until he had gone that
1t 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:
Now wouldn't that blow your hat in
the riveri"
He then took over the personal su.
pervision of the cleaning-up process.
to such good purpose that by nightfan
the yacht was as spick and span as a
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 a mans head and shoulders
loomed 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
distinguishable-merely a 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 Ii seemed so necessary that he
should. and he tried so hard to do so,
that the man was Obliged to repeat his
question.
Il beg your pardon" Tom STAN
mered. Il am Captain Phinney."
1t was only natural that his 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 were following n In.
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 a murmur
of feminine voices in the launch. The
ladies'. manifestly. were finding con.
siderable amusement in pretending a
hazardous e~mbarkation, 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 20 the deck. halted and
turned around. Her outline presented
only the vaguest sort of blur.
Welcome to the Kohinur!' sin
called back gayly to whoever remainee,
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 incredulity. 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 a faint outline.
when he again heard the voice.
Dear mel" II complained. How
dark II il! Aren't we to have any
] lights"