The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1921-02-01

say neilO. Low is your AuteIh''
mechanism"
Grand. However, your query re-
minds me haven't taken the medicine
the doctor warned me to take after
meals for a couple of weeks. Wait n
minute, Bill, until 60 to my stateroom
and do my duty to my stomach"
For ten minutes Billy and Don Juan
Cafetero bobbed about in the launch;
then stentorian voice shouted from
the steamer. "Hey, you! In the
launch, there. Not so close. Back
off,
Don Juan kicked the launch back
fifty feet. "That will do!'' the voice
called again.
"Hcllo!" Billy soliloquized. 'That's
Jack Webster's voice. Wonder what
he's up to-. I thought he acted
strangcly-preferrin medicine to me
the minute l hailed him"
While he was considering the mat
ter, voice behind him said very soft
~ and indistinctly, like man with
harclip:
Mr.. Gcary, will you be good enough
to- back your launch a couple c. hun
drcd feet? When I'm certain I can't
be seen from the steamer, I'll come
aboard"
Billy turned, and in the dim light of
his pinnacle lamp observed beautiful
pair Of white hands grasping the gum
vale on the starboard quarter. lie
peered over and made out the head
and shoulders of man.
Cali right" he replied in low voice.
"Hang where you are, and you'll be
clear of the propeller"
He signaled Don Juan, who backed
swiftly away, while Billy doused the
pinnacle lamp.
"That'l d." the thick voice said
presently. Bear a hand, friend, and
I'll climb over
lie came, as naked as Mercury,
sprawled on his belly in the cockpit,
opened his mouth, spat out a compact
little roll of tinfoil,Sopencd it and drew
out a bali of paperswhich he flattened
out on the floor Of the cockpit and
handed to Billy.
"Thank you" he said, very courteous
~ and distinctly now. MY creden-
tials, Mr.. Geary, if you please"
Billy relighted the lamp and read:
"Dear Billy:
Il do not know the bearer from
Adams off OK; all 1 know about him
is that he has all the outward marks
of gentleman, the courage of bear
cat, Il sense of humor and Il head for
which the presidente OF SObrante will
gladly pay n considerable number Of
pesos ORC. Don't give up the head, be-
cause l like it and we do not need the
m0ney-yet. Take him ashore with
out anybody knowing it; hide him,
clothe him, feed him-then forget all
about him.
ever thine,
u. S. WEBSTER"
''Kick the boat ahead again, CATER
ty," Billy ordered quietly. He turned
to the late arrival. mr. Man, your
credentials are all in apple-pic order.
DO you happen to know that this bay
is swarWing with man-eating sllarks?'
The man raised fine, strong, youth
full face and grinncl ut him. 'Hoh-
sons choice. Mr.. Geary," he replied.
"Atloat or ashore, the sharks are after
me. Sir, l am your debtor." He
crawlcd into the cabin and stretched
out on the scttee as John Stuart Web
ster's voice came floating across the
dark waters.
"Evcrything we'll with you. Billy?"
"All is lovely, Jack, and the goose
honks high. BY the way, that friend
Of yours called with his letter Of intro
duction. l took care of him."
"Thanks. I suppose you'll call for
me in that launch tomorrow morning?"
"Surest thing you know, Jack. Good
night, old top"
"Good-night, Billy"
Don Juan Cafetero swung the
launch and headed back for the city.
At Leber's little dock Billy stepped
ashore, while Don Juan backed out into
the dark bay again in order to avoid
visitors. Billy FASTENED to
Ell Buen Amigo and returned presently
with bundle Of clothes; at IN agreed
signal Don Juan kicked the launch into
The dock again and Billy went aboard.
HAT. shirt, necktic, duck suit, white |
socks and Shoes" he whispered. "Climb !
INTO them, stranger
Once more the launch hacked out in !
he bay, where Wcbster's protege !
dressed mt his leisure, and Billy hand !
I'd Don Juan couple of pesos.
"Remcmher, John" he cautioned the |
dubious one as they tied up for the
light, nothing unusual happened to- I
hight"
"Divil n thing, MiSthcr Geary.
Thank YOU, sor," the Gaelic wreck re-
'lied Uithely and disappeared in the /
larkpess. leaving Billy to guide the ,
stranger to FL Buen Amigo. where he
vas taken into the confidence of Moth
n jerks and, on Billy's guarantee Of |
he board bill. furnished with 4 room
md left to his own devices.
John Stuart Webster came down the
into Leber's launch hard at |
he heels Of the port Doctor ------