The Holly chieftain., 1915-06-11
What does this means

iic was SiitIt lot d nOItHl- utu
he turned suddenly to the ofessor.
What did you call those men in the
motortruck, professor-riyer pirates?
And a lifebuoy, Wait"
He crossed the room towards his
desk and returned with list in his
hand. He ran his finger down it.
stopped and glanced at the date.
The Durham" he muttered. cargo
cotton, destination Southampton. sails
at high tide on the 10th LenOra, Is
that calendar right"
Its the 10th. Mr. Quest" she an
swered.
Quest crossed the room to the tele-
phone.
Il want number one, central" he
said. Thank you, Put me through
to Mr. French's office. . Hello,
French! I've got an idea. Can you
come round here at once and bring
an automobile? | want to get down
to the docks-not where the passen-
ger steamers start from-lower down.
, Good, Well wait"
Quest hung up the receiver
Presently the heard the automobile
stop outside and French appeared
Anything doing?" he asked.
Quest showed him the card and the
sailing list
The inspector glanced at the clock.
Then we've got to make tracks
he declared. and pretty quick, too"
They hurried out to the automobile
and started off for the docks. The
latter part of their journey was ac-
complished under difficulties, for the
street was packed with drays and
heavy vehicles. They reached dock
number twenty-eight at last, how.
ever and hurried through the shed
on to the wharf There were no signs
of steamer there.
Where's the Durham?" Quest
asked one of the carriers, who was just
getting his team together.
The man pointed out to the middle
of river, where a small steamer was
lying.
There she is" he replied. She II
be off in few minutes. You'll hear
the sirens directly when they begin
to move down."
Quest led the way quickly to the
edge Of the wharf. There was a
small tug there, the crew Of which
were just making her fast for the
night
Fifty dollars if you'll take us out
to the Durham and catch her before
she sails" Quest shouted to the man
who seemed to be the captain.
They clambered down the iron lad.
der and jumped on to the deck Of the
tug. The captain seized the wheel.
The two men who formed the crew
took off their coats and waistcoats.
Give it to her, Jim," the former or.
dered Now then, here goes! Well
just miss the ferry"
They swung around and commenced
their journey.
We'll make it all right" the cap
tain assured them.
They were within a hundred yards
of the Durham when Quest gave lit
tie exclamation From the other side
of the steamer another tug shot out
away, turning back towards New
York. Huddled up In the stern, half
concealed in tarpaulin, was a man
in a plain black suit. Quest with a
little shout, recognized the man at
the helm from his long, brown beard.
That's one of those fellows who
was in the truck" he declared, "and
that's Craig in the stern. We've got
him this time. Say, captain, it's that
tug I want Never mind about the
steamer. Catch 1t and III make 1t a
hundred dollars!"
We've got her!" he captain ex.
claimed There's the ferry and the
first of the steamers coming down in
the middle. They'll have to chuck It,"
Right ahead OF them, blazing with
lights, huge ferry came churning
the river up and sending waves in
their direction. On the other side,
unnaturally large, loomed up the
great bows of an ocean-going steamer.
The tug was swung round and they
ran up alongside. The man with the
beard leaned over.
Say, what's your trouble?" he de-
manded
The inspector stepped forward.
Il want that man you've got under
the tarpaulin," he announced.
Say, you amt the river police?"
"I'm Inspector French from head.
quarters" was the curt reply. "The
sooner you hand him over, the better
for you"
do YOU hear that. OToole?" the