The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1921-04-21
"Hey Jack, old pal p Billys delight
ed voice answered him.
copJhtAkYHIH Ey,s'

81 knew you'd know 1t, Johnny.
Can't come aboard, you know, until the
ship clears. but l can lie Off here and
say hello. How Is your internal
mechanism"
Grand. However, your query re-
minds me haven't taken the medicine
the doctor warned me to take after
meals for couple Of weeks. Wait q
minute, Bill, until l go 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 dol" the voice
called again.
Hello" Billy soliloquized. That's
Jack Webster's voice. Wonder what
he's up to. i thought he acted
strangely-preferring medicine to me
the minute hailed him"
While he was considering the mat
ter, voice behind him said very soft
ly and ipdistinctly, like a man with a
harelip:
"Mr. Geary, will you be good enough
to back your launch a couple Of hun
dred feet? When Pm 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 gun
vale on the starboard quarter. He
peered over and made out the head
and shoulders Of man.
"All right" he replied In a low voice.
Hang where you are. and you'll be
clear of the propeller"
He slgnaled Don Juan, who backed
swiftly away, while Billy doused the
pinnacle lamp.
"That'll d." the thick voice said
presently. bear a hand, friend, and
I'll climb over"
He came, as naked as Mercury
sprawled on his belly in the cockpit,
opened his mouth, spat out a compact
little roll Of tinfoil, opened 1t and drew
out ball Of paper which he fiattened
out on the floor Of the cockpit and
handed to Billy.
THANK yOu," he said, very courteous
ly and distinctly now. MY creden-
tials. Mr.. Geary, If you please"
Billy relighted the lamp and read:
"Dear Billy:
II do not know the bearer from
Adams Off OK; all know about him
is that he has all the outward marks
of gentleman, the courage of a bear
cat. sense Of humor and q head for
which the presdente Of Sobrante will
gladly pay considerable number OF
pesos orc. Don't give up the i,ead, be-
cause like 1t and we do not need the
money-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-pIe order.
DO you happen to know that this bay
Is swarming with man-eating sharks?"
The man raised fine, strong, youth.
full face and grlnned at him. "Hob.
sons choice. Mr.. Geary," he replied
"Afloat or ashore, the sharks are after
me. Sir, ] am your debtor" He
crawled into the cabin and stretched
out on the settee as John Stuart Web
sters voice came floating across the
dark waters.
Everything well 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. ! took care Of him."
Thanks. l suppose you'll call for
me In that launch tomorrow morning?"
"Surest thing you know, Jack. Good.
night, old top"
Goodnight, 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
inqulsitive visitors. Billy FASTENED TO
Ell Buen Amigo and returned presently
with bundle Of clothes at an agreed
signal Don Juan kicked the launch into
the dock again and Billy went aboard.
HAT. shirt, necktie, duck suit, white
socks and Shoes" he whispered. "Climb
into them, stranger"
Once more the launch backed out In
the bay, where Webster's protege
dressed at his leisure, and Billy hand
ed Don Juan couple Of pesos
Remember, John" he cautioned the
bibulous one as they tied up for the
night, nothing unusual happened to-
night"
"Divll thing, Misther Geary.
Thank you. sor," the Gaelic wreck re-
piled blithely and disappeared In the
darkness, leaving Billy to guide the
stranger to El Buen Amigo, where he
was taken into the confidence OF Moth.
er jerks and, on Bllly's guarantee OF
the board bill. furnished with room
and left to his own devices.
John Stuart Webster came down the