The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1916-09-21

I N'N
Morissey was quite right in his sur
mise Hook. who was the possessor
OF chronic thirst. confident that he
would have time for a glass of beer
before the repairs TO the engine could
be effected, had slipped away on a
brief visit TO the nearest saloon But
leaning over the polished bar were
some seafaring acquaintances, and. in
their congenial company, the single
drink that he had promised himself
became two. and the two grew into
half dozen, so that nearly an hour
had elapsed before. breaking away from
his noisily protesting companions
he made his way, q trise unsteadily
back to the pier. But the launch, in.
stead OF being tied up alongside, where
he had left her. was now a small black
speck on the waters OF San Francisco
bay.
The unceremonious fashion in which
he had been left behind sobered Hook
completely, and II was a detected and
very sheepish old seaman who turned
his steps in the direction OF the city.
But II was destined that he should
go to the Farallons after all, though
In a fashion which he had not anticl.
pated. for. Just as he was leaving the
pier a taxicab drew up and deposited
three passengers. One of them Hook
instantly recognized as Gerald Nor.
ton, but the man and woman who ac.
companied him he did not recall hav.
ing seen before. Al sight OF them the
old sailor stepped behind a pile of lum.
ber
They approached the dockman.
we wish to take q run out to the
Farallons," said Morton. 81 under.
stand that launches for the trip can be
hired here"
The only small launch we have has
just started for the islands," was the
answer. "A feller and a girl hired Il
for the trip only about half an hour
ago But Capn Coleman might take
you over in his big boat II you're will.
ing TO pay his price. That's him with
the blue cap down to the end of the
wharf"
Morton and the woman approached
the man designated as Captain Cole.
man. while Hook. from the shelter OF
his lumber pile, watched from afar
their conversation. II evidently re-
suited satisfactorily TO all concerned.
for Coleman came hurrying I'D the
pier.
Just run over to Jerry's place. will
you, Bill" he called to the watchman,
"and see II you can find my two fire.
men, Hennessy and Dillon?"
so Mister Morton and his friends
is goin' to the islands too, eh?" said
Hook to himself Il think I'll Jest slip
aboard. unbeknownst to 'em. and go
along"
Morton and his companions had
strolled to the far end OF the pier.
where they stood deep in converse.
ton; Captain Coleman was busy get
ting supplies from the storehouse: the
watchman had gone across the street
10 get the crew; SO that no one saw
he one-armed sailor when he climbed
aboard the Sea Hawk and disappeared
down the companionway.
No one had been more astonished
han Morton and Olga at the mysteri-
lus disappearance of the books from
he Delmar study, and their astonish.
nent was increased when they saw
he mystiflcatlon OF Hope and Cleo. |
But Olga did not believe in taking
for granted. No sooner did !
ihe reach her apartment In the Por-
ola Arms than, despite the lateness
II the hour, she sent for Sextus and |
elated to him the exciting events OF |
he evening. I'm pretty we'll con.
'inced," she concluded that neither |
iope nor the Burke girl have any |
more knowledge OF what has become |
Il those books than have, but don't |
Wish TO take any chances. | want you |
o watch them closely for the next few
lays, Sextus, and to keep me informed |
4 anything which seems suspicious.
I will be quite safe for you to lounge |
bout the lobby Of their hotel. or even
or you TO take a room there, for
Ieither or them know you. II they go |
ut, follow them. It's possible that
hey know more about those books
hat disappeared tonight than we
hink they do, and | don't dare leave
he city to search for the other books
ecause 1t would mean letting them
ut OF my sight"
The following morning, from his
able in the breakfast room OF the ho-
ell where Hope and Cleo were stay.
ng, Sextus witnessed. without, how
YER being able to overhear. their
with Hook when, after
inch, they departed in a taxicab for
he waterfront, he followed them: and
rom the pier he saw them depart in
he launch for the Farallons Five
linutes later, breathless from run.
ing, he was talking to Olga over the
elephone.
They've given us the slip" he
anted. They've hired a launch and
tErted for some islands outside the
ntrance to the harbor. think they
all them the Farallons. They
But Olga cut him short.