Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-01-02
FOURTH ~INsTALLMENr.
On the Rum Tanker,s TrAN.

On tho Rum TAnker'B Trail.
-HE signs Of animation from the boat.
house, which early In the day had
offered the aspect Of being hernnet-
icAlly sealed, naturally detected
MAtt's attention from the house. It seemed
an odd time for working at tho boats
probably laid up Within as It was now about
midnight Matt reached back, and, taking
Nancy'e wrist, led her off: at an angle across
a. lawn Interrupted by old fashioned towering
bushes. barberry and shrub strawberry and
syriisa and tho like.
They came to the rear corner Of the boat.
house, Of which the front end was set out on
billings. with the ways leading gradually.
down. The tide had fallen, then risen again,
since Mats last visit about twelvg hours
BEFORE. and, seeing no sign OF HIS little
swiftly, he decided that the steward, Of the
yacht club must have sent somebody TO put
a patch over the hole, when it, had been
rolled or skidded TO- the water and towed
away. ~ 81 i. H 81
In order now to get d more Comprehensive
view ofSwhatever might be going on about
tho beSthouse, Matt drew Nancy to q pro,
tfctins brim Of tho bank, where, crouching
sehind d little clump OF dwarf frs, they
could observe the three windows and get an
acute angular view Of the front. n.
It now became evident from the thin rib.
bons Of light around. tho window castings that
they had beer, roughly screened from within.
1t was also apparent that some s3rt Of work
was going forward, as they could hear the
shuttle, of feet and d creakinR sound as OF
wood under compression.
Matt and Nancy were sufficiently removed
20 there would be no danger Of a$whisper
being overheard even by one standing at the
side Of the poath5use, especially Is there was
a tapping and Whispering made BY the rip.
,AIho ~ tho %tofnA %jAa ndd ., .oR% l.;1.;~. =.
the rockwell rose and fell. Matt placed his
lips close to the girls ear.
your diplomats seem to be getting ready
for a nocturnal spin. 1t sounds as IL they
were prying the cradle Of q launch along
the Ways" ere a i
"1'm beginning to think there may be
something in your blind guess after all,' said
Nancy grudsingly.
Another point gained said. Matt.
why another?"
"well. il you're: not partisan for the. ex.
tinEuisher, then all I can say Is that your
obstiiacy IL only equaled by your nerve.
Most girls would have screamed when those
dogs were stalking u.s.,
I'm not the screaming sort" said Nancy.
"Look-they've put out t~ias1tghts."
As she spoke there came d clicking metallic
sound. Then the two big doors Of the boat.
house swung open as silently as an owl
spreads its wings. The creaking noise began
again, and the breathless watchers saw tho
bow Of a launch emerging foot by foot. It
was a fairly high bow, apparently a n1ahog-;
any or cedar boat, for, although not painted
white, there was a s,leon TO it even III that
dim light. Farther and f'"ther II emerged.
Until, with about six feet Vi !. i'aising hori-
zontally above the ways, the cradle. began to
take the downward pitch.
Then al the whole Of this slipped forward
on it, creased skids, the motion became un.
interrupted, gained In speed, and the long
trim boat slid down with increasing mo.
.mentum, to take the water with a smashing
gurglc. It drifted clear, and they could see
the dark figure of a man tl>rusting the cradle
from beneath 1t with an oar.
Il think I'm on! whispered Matt, breath
lessly. Unless I'm wrong he'll shove her
to the float and take: aboard a lady pas
ssnser." g
"sylvia?" whispered Nancy tensely.
1.-THE same"
Then what will you do?" Il
"1auhcfaa terrific gas attack and rescue
her. Lookls Am / right" So
There WAS q murky haze over the waters
Of the bay, and as Matt spoke he pointed sea.
ward. Far out, a mile, perhaps, though It
was inipossibleSt 10 estimate the distance. they
saw the flash OF "A blinker, then another.
Apparently the man III the launch had seen
il, too, for they got the reflected glow against
~ UVoS oO1S 0Aao"Sb GU ~ 'us
rose, frightened his belt around thAScrate bn!.
which was hanging from it by it, hooked end,
and picked up the extinguislier.
y" II anything Soes wrong" said hes. yon
Lat It back to the machine and get TO the
dASss ~ fast as the Lord will let you and
: report what's happened" @ RE-
"wait," said Nancy. " Look"
For the launch WIS not fulfilling Mats
prophecy. Her motor, apparsntlyfa fou.
cycle automobile engine, started with a quiet
purri1e noise, and she beSanto glide straight
out. Her speed increased and In moment
or two dissolved In the murk. Matt gave a
gasp Of disrnay, then sank backson the turs..'
ana his hand fell on Nancy's arm. ,Sss
.sI1l tell you what" said he. They've
rot her out there on . boat and he's going.
10 fetch her ashore. So much the better
1'lls organise An ambush on the path up to
the house."
Its too risky..s. said Nancy. "Thers are
sure Is 30 several . l, them ana armed. What
I II I 20 Tor the police1",
Me- said Matt. ~ started this alone
and I propose 10 hnish 1t. Give me tfreA Or
four good shots with this thing and II Will
! be All over but the shouting"
1.'Don't be Z fool" said Nancy. Dogs are
one thing and, desperate men another.
No man. however desperate, can stand y.
slug Of this stun in the faoe." said.SSMat