Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1914-07-15

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. II is uncertsin 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
10 come aboard or go ashore without
the charterers express permission. !
believe that's all"
Tom stared at the slight figure op-
posite him. and ran bis fingers through
his thatch Of close black curls.
rs this going to be a smuggling
stunt+" demanded he. frankly Devil.
dered Or are we going to kidnap
an heiress?7
"Kidnap an heiressl" echoed Brown
low. God bless my soul! What put
/
that am ignorant Of the nature OF the
charterer's object-save that it is hon
| est"
"Humph!" Tom grunted. ut doesn't
sound honest"
I'm admit that there Is a good deal
not like: but" And Mr.. Brownlow
waved hand in gesture that re-
called 20 the other the Name which
could not be mentioned.
The owner, after a final outburst of
gratitude and satisfaction at having
been. as no expressed it, saved" at
| the last moment, took his departure:
and it was 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 citys former police
chiefs:
Now wouldn't that blow your hat in
the riverl"
He then took over the personal SUI
pervision Of the cleaning.up process.
TO such good purpose that by nightfali
the yacht was as epick and span as
battleship.
II 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 E4o.
ment a mans head and shoulders
doomed dimly In the gangway He
stepped upon the deck and leaning to-
ward Tom, peered into his face In
vain attempt TO make out his features.
To Tom. the mans face was quite in
distinguishable- merely denser blot
against the blackness.
lis THE the captain3" 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 inexplcable rea-
son It 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 Phinne j."
II WAS only natural that he should
expect to hear his quest'oner'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 one an.
other rapidly. until FIVE dim shapes
we're ranged along the deck. wholly
Invisible in the shadow of the super.
structure
/ Ali at once the now very alert skip
per directed his attention TO a murmur
/ of feminine voices in the launch. The
| ladies. manitsstly, were finding con
siderable amusement In pretending n
/ 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
! aud agilely up to the deck. halted and
turned around. Her outline presented
only the yaguest sort Of blur
Welcome to the Kohinur," nhe
called back gayly to whoever remained
below.
And il Tom had started at Sc 4 of
the mans voice. what words ar AIDE
quate 10 describe his sensation now ?
None. 1t is to be regretted. Keeling
backward until he stayed himself by
a mechanical clutch at the rail, he
clung 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 one faint outline.
when he again heard the voice.
Dear mel" It complained How
dark Il is! Aren't We to have any
1ghts?"