University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1915-07-15
LOVE INSURANCE
By Earl Der. Biggers-
Copyrighted by The Bobbs-Merrill Company

lnto our launch ana run off out C
sight behind Tarragona Island. Then
let Trimmer search to his hearts con
tent. When he gets tired and quits
signal us by hanging a red lantern il
the bow"
Martin Wall smiled broadly.
Not bad for an amateur kidnaper,
he said "Will | turn George over to
you? Will a duck swim? A good
idea"
For Gods sake. hurry" cried Mi.
not. Look"
| He pointed to the largest of San
Marcos piers. The moon was lost
under clouds now, but the electric
| lights ON the waterfront revealed a
swarming shouting crowd of people
Martin Wall stepped to the door Of
! the main cabin.
Lord Harrowby," he cried. He
turned to Minot and Paddock. 81 call
him that to cheer him in captivity,
he explained. The tall weary Eng
lishman strode out upon the deck.
Lord Harrowby," said Wall, these
| two gentlemen have come to take you
for boat ride. Will you be kind
enough to step into that launch?"
Poor old George pulled himself to
gether.
IF you'll pardon my language, I'll
be damned if | do" he said. 81 take
it Mr.. Trimmer is on his way here.
Well, gentlemen, the first to grasp his
hand when he boards the boat will be
the chap who now addresses you"
They stood gazing doubtfully at
George in revolt. Then Minot turned,
and saw rowboat putting off from
the pier
Come on" he cried, and leaped on
the shoulders of the aspirant to the
title. Paddock and Wall followed.
Despite his discouraged appearance,
George put up a lively fight For a
time the four men struggled back and
fourth across the deck, now in moon
light, now in shadow. Once George
slipped and fell, his three captors on
top of him, and at that moment Mr..
Minot felt a terrific tugging at his
coat. But the odds were three to one
against George Harrowby, and finally
he was dragged and pushed into the
launch. Again Paddock started the
engine, and that odd boat drew away
from the Lileth.
They had gone about ten feet when
poor old George slipped out from
under Minot and leaped to his feet.
"Hi-Trimmer-it's me-it's George
=" he thundered in a startlingly loud
tone. MinOt put his hand over
Georges lips, and they locked in con-
fiict. The small launch danced wildly
on the waters. And fortunately for
Minot's plans the moon still hid be-
hind the clouds.
With a stretch of Tarragona's rank
vegetation between them and the
Lileth, Mr.. Paddock stopped the en-
gine and they stood still on the dark
waters. Paddock lighted a cigarette,
utilizing the same match to consult
his watch.
Ten O'clock" he said. Cant say
this is the ,jolliest little party l was
ever on"
Never mind,' replied Minot cheer
fully. at won't take Trimmer fifteen
minutes to find that his proposition
isn't on board. In twenty minutes
we'll slip back and look for the sig
nal"
The proposition" in question sat up
and Strengthened his collar
The pater. and l split" he said,
"over the matter of my going to Ok
ford. The old boy knew best. | wish
now I'd gone. Then l might have
words to tell you chaps what | think
Of this damnable outrage"
Minot and Paddock sat in silence.
i've been In America twenty odd |
years." the proposition went on.
Seen all sorts of injustice and |
I've lived to experience |
the climax myself"
Still silence from his captors, while
the black waters swished about the
launch
81 take 1t you chaps believe me to
be an impostor, just as Allan does.
Well, I'm not. And I'm going to give
you my little talk on the old days at
Hall. When I've finished"
mo, you're not" said Minot. "Ive
heard all that once"
And you weren't convinced? Why,
everybody in San Marco is convinced
The mayor. the chief of police the"