Evening star., 1924-10-15
THE OWLS HOUSE
4 Thrilling Adventure Story
BY Crosbie Garstin
ospyrisht. f1e4 b Frederick A. stskes c..

Ortho she would forget all about
that. Half the women in the coun-
try would give their heads to get the
romantic squire of Bosuia; they went
signing after him in troops at fairs
and public occasions. Yet something
in the Penaluna girls firm jaw and
steady brown eyes told Teresa that
she was not easily swayed hither
and thither. She wished she could
get Eli out of the way for bit.
She rode over the hill and down
the steep lane into Mousehole, and
there found an unwonted stir afoot.
The village was full of seamen,
armed with bludgeons and cutlasses,
running up and down the narrow al
leys in small parties. kicking the
doors in and searching the houses.
The fisherwomen hung out OF their
windows and flung jeers and slops
at them.
press gang" Teresa was informed.
They had landed from a frigate an
chored just around the corner in
Gwavas Lake and had so far caught
one sound man, one epileptic and
the village idiot, who was vastly
pleased at having some one take
notice of him at last.
a boy line fishing off Tavis Wow
had seen the gang rowing in, given
the alarm, and by the time the sailors
arrived all the men were a quarter
OF mile inland. Very amusing,
eh? Teresa agreed that it was indeed
most humorous, and added her shrewd
taunts to those of the fishwivcs.
Then an idea sprang TO her head.
She went into the tavern and drank
a pot of ale while thinking it over.
When the smallest detail was COM
plete she set out to find the officer
in command
She found him without difficulty
an elderly and detected midshipman,
leaning over the slip rails. splitting
into the murky waters of the harbor.
and invited him very civilly TO take
nip of brandy with her
The officer accepted without ques-
ton. nip of brandy was a nip
OF brandy, and his stomach was out
of order, consequent on his having
supped of rancid pork the night be-
fore. Teresa led him to private
room in the tavern, ordered tho
drinks, and, when they arrived, lock
ed the door.
Look e. captain" she said, 'do e
want to make d couple of guineas?'
The midshipman's dull glance leapt
to meet hers, agleam with sudden
interest, as Teresa surmised it would
She knew the type-40 years old,
without influence or hope OF promo
ton. disiilusioned. shabby, hanging
body and soul together on 80 shil-
lings month; there was little this
creature would not do for two pounds
down.
What is it," he snapped.
I'll give YOU two pounds and a
good sound man--if you'u fetch en-"
The midshipman shook his tarred
hat. Not inland: I won't go inland"
Press gangs were not safe inland in
Cornwall and he was not selling his
life for 40 shillings; it was dirty
life; but he still had some small
affection for it.
Who said il was inland? To
small little cove just this side Of
Monks Cove; you'll know it by the
waterfall that do come down over the
cliff there. T'eddn moren' a two
mile pull from here, just round the
point"
rs the man there?"
Not yet, but I'll have en- there by
dusk. Do you pull your boat up on
the little beach and step inside the
old timers adit-kind of little cave
on the east side--and wait there till
he comes. He's a mighty strong man.
] warn'e. notable wrestler in these
parts. so be careful"
I'll take four of my best and sand
bag him from behind" sa id the mid
shipman, who was an expert in these
matters. "StiffenS 'em. but don't Kill.
Two pounds amt enough. though"
ITS all you'll get" said Teresa.
-Four pounds or nothing" said the
midshipman firmly.
They compromised at three pounds
and Teresa paid cash on the spot.
Ortho, the freehanded, kept her in
plenty of money-so different from
Eli.
The midshipman walked out of the
front door. Teresa slipped out of the
back and rode away. She had little
fear the midshipman would fail
her; he had her money, to be sure, but
he would also get a bounty on Eli
and partly save his face with his