The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1930-03-21


growth of beard and face burned
with the sun. he might easily pass for
the fisherman.
This is all mistake" he said,
addressing himself to Sam. "You
think I'm Jonathan Gibbs"
81 know id well you're not" said
Sam, without animus.
The thing was inexplicable. They
knew him for himself, and knowing
it, they were carrying him off. bound
with ropes. to the open sea-
There was seemingly no sort of per-
sonal grudge in this high-handed mat
ter. The three men were carrying
out orders.
Listen, bo" said Sam, we've got
orders not to say a thing to you till
the Boss sees you. Ii won't do you
no good asking why we did it, or who
we are. We had to get you alive and
unframed and we did the best we
knew how"
IT was lark when the lights of Bar
Harbor came in sight. Bettington was
carried up the gangway, across deck
and then placed in small cabin
lighted with single portfolio.
Sam united the knots and watched
the victim stretch his stiff and
cramped limbs.
Just . word of warming" Sam re-
marked. "You can't get out of that
portfolio and you caut get out of this
cabin. If you did,. 1t wouldn't help
you. If you're wise you'll wait till
the Boss sends for you"
Sam t-'rned the keys in the door and
left him prisoner. AS he examined his
dungeon he heard the throbbing of
machinery. From tie porthole he
could see the boat was moving. He
pulled off the heavy sea boots of
Jonathan Gibbs and flung himself on
the berth. in many adventures Bet
tington had learned that fretting and
Tuning were handicaps that men in
danger should not take upon them.
selves.
Presently he fell asleep and was
awakened by Sam.
"You amt worrying" said Sam.
grinning. They tell me you always
had your nerve with you. You won't
be able TO see the Boss tonight. He's
hitting the pipe and it's as much as
mans life is worth to go In now.
haven't no authority to let you out
till he gives the word. so FL bring you
a bite to eat here"
Sam waddled out. Bettington was
still puzzled oy his apparent friendli.
ness. AS a physical specimen of hu.
manity Sam did not awaken conf.
dence On his broad. fat face were
written lust and brute courage. He
would be bad man to cross. But why
should he regard Howard Bettington
painter of soascapes and man of in.
tegrity, with such an air of .omrade-
ship?
"Where are we bound fOr?" he asked
of Sam, when tray of food was
brought in.
"NOO York." said Sam.
"Can't l go ON deck?" Bettington
asked. II can't escape"
Sam shook his head
''NOt till the Boss gives the word"
"Who IS the Boss? The captain? p
''The captain?" There was scorn
in Sans tone Him! HI. no."
"YOu mean the owner?"
Sans scorn of the owner was just
as emphatic.
"He may think he's the boss and
CaDt'n Hallett may think he is, but
they don't know-yet" Sam rose to
go. "Just one bit Of advice. DO, don't
make noise. If you do you'll go to
Moo York gagged
Bettington had not been gone on his
errand to BlackpOrt half nour, when
Jonathan Gibbs in his motor dory
went out to his lobster pots. He was
returning when he saw a smaller
boat, its gunwales awash, almost
across his bow. He knew II instantly
for his own. investigation showed
that some of the planking had been
STAYED in. He supposed that one II
the needle rocks must nave done it
He blamed himself tor allowing the
stranger to cross the bay. Almost
certain death would await any man
dressed as Bettington had been. in
such currents as these.
Gibbs went to his shack with an
uneasy mind. The whole episode
spelled publicity to him. but be cheered
himself with the hope that his guest
might have been rescued. In that case
he would soon be back at the shack.
But by midnight Bennington did moi
return and Gibbs went carefully
through the things which were in the
torn coat. There was a gold watch
with The initials H. b. on it. VALE,
contained almost four hundred dollars
There we're no letters But there was
a reference on memorandum of re
pairs to the skylight OF a studio at 9
given address and receipt for the
rental of it to the end of the current
year. And there was a bunch of keys
For almost an hour Gibbs sat mo-
tiOnleSS. Then he rose tc his feet
put kettle on the iii stove and pres
emily shaved himself carefully and
trimmed his hair. He rubbed the
grease which Bettington had applied
to his shoes so carefully into .he
leather, that il became at length fex
ible and he was able to put them on
Hasty repairs to the torn trousers anc
coat enabled him to wear them. With
an iron which had beer little used OF