Williams news., 1922-03-24

stood is this no matter what's inside,
 we share equally in the profits. even
 if they turn out to be losses. That's
 understood an agreed to, ain't it?"
 Captain Scraggs and McGuffey indi-
 cated that it was.
 There's a element O mystery about
 these two boxes," continued MT. Gib-
 ney, "that fascinates me. They sets
 my imagination a-workin' an joggles
 up all my sportin' instincts. Now, just to make it interestin' an add a spice t tn grand openin', I'm willin' to bet again my own best judgment
 am lay you even money, Scraggsy, that 1t ain't ginseng, but Oriental goods.''
 "Tn go you five dollars, just fr ducks" responded Captain Scraggs heartily "McGuffey to hold the stakes an' decide the bet"
 Done" replied Mir. Gtbney. The money was placed in McGuffey's hands, and a moment later, with a
 mighty effort, Mir. Gibney pried of the lid of the crate. Captain Scraggs had his head inside the box a fifth of g second later.
 nounced. "Get a can opener Gib my boy"
 "Ginseng, for a thousand" mourned MT. Gibney. "Scraggsy. you're five dollars of my mohey to the good. Gin seng always comes packed in alright boxes."
 He produced a can opener from the cabin locker and fell to his work on a corner of the dramatically sealed box As he drove in the point of the can opener, he paused, hammer in hand and gazed so1emnly at Scraggs and McGuf1ey.
 "Gentlemen," (again McGuffey nodded approvingly) do you know what a vacuum is?'
 T know" replied the inperturbable McGuffey. "A vacuum is an empty hole that ain't got nothin' in ft.'
 "Correct," said MT. Gfbney. My head is a vacuum. Me talkin' about ginseng rootl Why, I must have wa ter on the brainl Ginseng be dog goned! It's opium !''
 Captain Scraggs was forced to grab the seat of his chair in order to keep himself from jumping up and clasp Ing MT. Gibney around the neck.
 "Forty dollars a pound," he gasped. 'Gfb-Gib, my dear boy-you've made IS wealthy"
 Quickly MT. Gibney ran the can opener around the edges of one corner l If the zinc box, inserted the claws of | the hammer into the opening, and | with quick, melodramatic twist bent | pack the angle thus formed.
 Mr. Gibney was the first to get a peep inside.
 Great snakes i''. he yelled, and fell | ,ack against the cabin wall A hoarse cream of rage and horror broke from Captain Scraggs. In his eagerness he lad driven his head so deep into the 'ox that he came within an inch of ,issing what the box contained-which happened to be nothing more nor less han a dead Chinamanl MT. McGuf- houldered the skipper aside, and ,almly surveyed the ghastly appari- ion.
 ''Twig the yellow beggar, will you, iib?" said McGuffey; lone eye half pen for all the world like he was vinkin' at us an enjoyin' tn joke''
 Not a muscle twitched in McGuf- ey's Hibernfan countenance. He cratched his head for a moment, as
 sort of first aid to memory, then 1rned and handed MT. Gibney ten dol ITS.
 "You win, Glib. It's Oriental goods. ure enough.
 "Robber !" shrieked Captain Scraggs. nd flew at MT. Gibney's throat The lght reminded McGuffey of a terrier 7orrying mastfff. Nevertheless, MT. ifbney was still so unnerved at the fscovery of the horrible contents of he box that, despite his gigantic pro- ortfons, he was well-nigh helpless
 ''McGuffey, you swab," he yelled. Pluck this maritime outlaw off my eek He's tearin' my windpipe out l y tn roots.'
 McGuffey choked Captain Scraggs ntil he reluctantly let go MT. Gibney, 'hereupon all three fled from the cab ! as from peStilence, and gathered, | n angry and disappointed group, out a deck.
 Opium !" jeered Captain Scraggs, fth tears of rage in his voice. "Gin- eng You and your imagination, you vine. you! Get off my ship, you Tout, r I'll murder you"
 MT. Gibney hung his head.
 "Scraggsy- you, too, McGuffey- got to admit that this here is one on delbert P. Gibney. IT,
 "Oh, hear him. shrilled Captain craggs. "One on himi It's two on ou, you bloody-handed ragpicker. lppose that other case contains plum, tool If there ain't another cad corpse in No. 2 case I hope my .eth may drop overboarG.'' "Shut up!' believed MT. Gfbney, in
 towering rage. What howl have