I
"" by LOUIS JOSEPH MClMVm &MlU
ellswoiyomg JS ) m M
C0FYRT.CHT19OC) Bt lOUlOSEPH VAKCE-C, Jj v 4 0
15
SYNOP8I8,
Tho ntory opens nt Montn Curio with
Col, Terence O'Hourke, n military tree
lanco und numethlwr or n. Rambler, In hla
hotel. I.oanliiK on tho hiilrony he'nee a
beautiful lrl who suddenly eritern tho
(levator nml pne-ten from nlht. At the
earning tnbln O'lloiirko nntlcen two men
watchlnff him Ono In llm Hon Hprtle
niynn, while IiIh compnnloii In Vlacotint
Dos Trobe, a iluellit. Tim vlnroimt tell
lilm tho KriMH h Kovernment Iiiih illrerlefl
him to O'Hourke fiH u imin who would
Undertake n Hftrot mlBHlon At his apart
ment, O'ltourko, who hud UKii-ed to un
dertake the mlxnlon, finds n inynterlouts
letter. Tho viscount arrives, handa a
nealcd package to O'HourUn, who l not
to open it until on tho ocmn A p.ilr of
ilnlnty slIpperM nro neon protruding from
under n. doorway curtnln. Tho Irishman
rinds the owner of tho myjilerluUH feet to
Ira his wife, IJentrlx, from whom ho had
run away a. year previous They are
reconcllod, and opening tht letter hn llndn
that a HuiiBoon law Hi in offerH him
JOO.COO pounds for a Jewel known an the
Tool of llamn and loft to htm by a d
Ing friend, but now in keeping of ono
named Chumbrot In AlKerlu. O'Hourke
worotB the nobleman In u duel The wlfo
bids O'Hourke farowcll and ho promises
to kooii icturn with tho reward. He dls
rovers both Glynn and tho vlHrount on
board tho ship Ah ho Hilda Ctuimbrct
there la an attack by bandits and hla
friend dim tolling O'lUiilrko ttmt lie nns
.ft the Pool or Flamo wmi tno governor
onnral, who at olgnt or a signet nnK
ivon the colonel will deliver over the
wol. Arriving at AlKiirla tho Irlahinan
iniln the governor general awai, Dea
L'rebcn mnken u mysteilourf appointment
inn teilH u liounte nun im nun KHinru
)OHRelon of tho Jewed by stnallng It In
l fluid O'llntirke nmfdora tint viscount.
eeiirea possession of tho Pout of l'lanit
ma start by nhlp for Haugnou. He jinda
ho captain to bo a mmiKgliT who trlea to
Heal tho Jowol It la finally aecured by
tho captain and O'ltourliu escapes to
(and. With the old of ono Danny and
Ida Hwcetheiirt, O'ltourko recovers the
i'ool of Flame On board ship onoe more,
bound for Hungoon, a mysterious lady
lippourn. O'lluurko comes upon a lascar
J)Oiit to attack tho ladv, who la a Mrs.
Prynne, and klekn the man Into thu hold
Mrs. Prynne clulina who In en route for
Indiana on a mlanlon for tho king.
O'ltourko la altncked by tho lauoar,
CHAPTER XXIV. (Continued.)
She camo directly to tho utlvonturer,
without ho much uh u glancp for tho
group of Inscars or tho grim evidences
of tragody upon tho dock. O'ltourko
ohut Ills teeth with exasperation.
Whntcvor ho ilocldod to tollovo of tho
Goruuc. whothor IiIh judgmout said of
tho man, "Guilty," or "Not Guilty," ho
darod risk nothing with tho woman
proBcnt. Ho could not toll what hell
of murder and mutiny ho might not let
'coso upon tho llnnoo, did ho make
ono Ul-advltjod or lmuty move. Alono,
3io could havo faced tho situation with
oquanlmity; with tho woman by lilu
fildo, ho folt au though handcuffed.
"You aro hurt, Colonel O'ltourko?"
"A inoro Hcratch, madam an Inch
of skin shaved off mo arm Ho good
onough to return to tho saloon, waken
Danny and hoikI him to me."
Sho Ignored tho ourtnesR of his tone,
ovon aa alio iguorod his wish. "What
has happened?" sho domanded, rang
ing hovuttlf by his sldo. "Who Is that
-thoro on tho deck?" Hor volco ris
ing iv uoto, foreboded hysteria,
"QulokHtabbod. I didn't want yo
to bco. A lascar ran amok, cut down
tho captain, was klllod himself kind
ness," tho Irroprosslblo humorist
Ibroko out," of our llttlo brown brother,
tho Borang" r
Hla eyoii novor loft tho latter; not
an Instant did bo tnko his attention
from tho cluHtor of darl: llgurcs; he
was inoro than ovory ready to defend
hlmsolf should tlioy mnko any overt
niovo, docmlng hU attention distract
ed. "What will you do?"
"How can I say? Do yo, for tho
lovo of God, gat bolow and leave mo
to deal with thoso llondn lu mo own,
fashion."
"Which," sho roturnod ouuahly, "Is
precisely what I shall not do"
"If that's tho caso," ho said brus
quely, "havo tho kindness .o hand mo
tho revolver by tho captain's side, nml
yo might soo If tho poor follow still
llvos."
He heard a quick rustlo of skirts
and tho woman's hand cloned ovor hli,
pressing Into his palm the weapon he
had desired. As promptly, without
further words, sho turned to Quick,
Tho adveuturor deliberated briefly,
whllo sho bout ovor tho captain, mak
ing u hurried examination. "Ho Is
badly wounded," O'ltourko heard hor
say, as bo arrived at hta decision, "but
not dead."
"Pralso God for that! ... I
must ask ye, madum, to back me up.
It is necessary to clear tho decks. Aro
yo ready?" Ho saw, out of tho tall
of his eye, that sho had sprung to her
feet. "Now, yo curs," ho thundered,
-with a menacing pistol In either hand,
"gut forward, tho lot of yo. Mo e, ye
lilnkiiinriln'"
They went expeditiously, crowding
between the deelt-houso and the rail,
huddling to'golhcr as If for mutual pro
tection. The nqraug was the laBt to
niovo, and went reluctantly, or ecemed
to.
Yet that was no tlmo to judge him
for a minor fault. O'ltourko herded
the pack beforo him, watched them
scramble down tho ladder to th,o fore
deck, then backed to tho spot where
tho woman stood above tho captain.
His nrm was paining him Bomewhat,
with the Irritating, slinging ncho that
such wounds produco, and ho thrust
one revolver Into his pocket, clasping
n hand above tho hurt.
In a flnBh realization of Ills Iobb
came to him; ho clutched the rail with
a cry. Tho I'ool of Finnic, his sacred
trust, wnB gone! His eyes searched
the deck wildly, but found no trace of
the round leather bag with Its preci
ous burden. Despair gripped IiIh heart
In a clutch of Ice, and for a space the
ship reeled about him. . .
He found himself gazing blankly in
to tho woman's solicitous eyes. "What
Is It? What Is It?" ho heard her volco
'repeating breathlessly. Ho knew that
his own lips moved "for some aeconds
without sound as ho Btrovo to answer
her. Tho words, when they came,
should havo been quite unintelligible
to her; he realized this almost ns soon
as ho had uttered them: "Tho I'ool
of Hamo I"
Then ho stumbled forward, crying
aloud for tho serang. Half-way to tho
ladder he halted; that individual's
head and shoulders were lifting abovo
tho level of tho deck. O'ltourko cov
ered him and called him aft aR ho
again retreated to the scone of tho
tragedy.
Had ho been In n condition to think
coherently, ho might hnvo acted inoro
prudently. Hut maddened, ho wns
able to grasp but ono fact; that tho
Pool of Flame was gono and must bo
recovered nt whatever hazard.
Tho lascar camo with what might
hnve seemed suspicious alacrity, con
sidering the fact that ho was coerced,
that O'ltourko hold hint nt tho pistol's
point. Gaunt nnd sombro In tho
moonlight, moving noiselessly In his
bare feet, head up and arms swinging
HfflHHBRMr
" f 1 1
t (Mfk W.l
x(0MR
Flung the Pool of Flame With All His Might
limp, ho advanced without a pause un
til about six foot from tho Irishman;
at which distance O'Rourke, collect
ing his wits, found volco onough to bid
tho follow, "Stop!"
Tho serang halted, impassive, un
moved. "Tho sahib has called," ho said In
an even volco. "I am come. What Is
tho sahib's will with me?"
Ills words, together with his half
Indolent, hnlf-dclltuit, wholly contemp
tuous bearing, supplied tho ono thing
needful lo rostoro to tho adventurer
his self-coutrol. O'ltourko drew him
self up, master of self onco more, and
looked tho lascar in tho oyo.
"You stand," bo Bald slowly, choos
ing his words, "on tho edge -of tho
grave. Do you coiuprehoud that,
dog?"
"Aye, sahib!"
"I havo called yo, then, to demnnd
back that which Is mine, tho leather
bag which yo stole when yo slow your
brother, protending falsely It was ho
who had slain tho captain. I counsol
ye, speak truth and rondor back to
mo that which yo have stolon."
Tho sernng stiffened, his eyes glist
ening In tho moonlight "Sahib!" ho
cried as if In supplication
"No words, dog"' cried O'ltourko
sternly. "Do as I bid ye, or abide tile
result of dlsobedioncc!"
"Tho sahib," said tho serang slow
ly, "Is full of eyes and wisdom. Ho
Bees what no man would bellevo he
could soo. 1 am content." He bowed
his head with curious submlsslvenoss,
stretching forth his palms as If In
token oi surrender.
O'ltourko caught at his breath. He
had scarcoly hoped for this; he had
merely called tho serang aft aB tho
leader of the lascars, hoping to fright
en him Into revealing whichever of
his comrades had stolen tho gfeat
ruby If ho know.
"Yo havo, then, tho leather bag?" ho
demanded, exultation In his voice.
"Aye, sahib; or, If not that, I havo
that which was theroln."
"Tho stono?"
"Aye, sahib."
"Then give It mo."
"I am tho sahib's slavo." Tho se
rang flashed a strange Hmilo at the
rovolver In O'llourko's hand. His at
titude puzzled O'Rourke; ho would
hardly havo believed this of tho man;
rather ho could havo conceived df him
ns denying tho theft to tho last and
lighting llko au unchained (lend to re
tain his booty. His present poso was
out of character, or the Irishman mis
judged him.
Out of character or no, it was com
fortable. Tho serang, with head bent,
was fumbling In tho fold3 of his sash;
O'ltourko thought htm over long about
It, yet was Inclined to glvo him time
In vlow of hla abject surrender.
At length, still smiling oddly, the
man lifted his eyes and stretched
forth a hand tight closed. "Tho sa-
hlb," ho said gently, "shall see that
his servant spoko truth. Lot this
weigh with tho enhlb for mercy. Do
hold!" Tho brown lingers unclosed and In
tho hollow of his palm trombled that
which soemod a ball of crystallzed
rose fire, the stono tbnt man has
named tho I'ool of Flamo. O'ltourko
uttered a low cry of satisfaction, step
ping forward to snatch up tho jewel.
Simultaneously ho was awaro of a
quick gasp from tho direction of tho
womnn, followed, ere ho could account
for thoni, by two pistol shots.
Tho adventurer groaned, pitching
forward blindly, one sldo of his head,
from the ear to tho temple, n-qulver
with an agony as If a whlto-hot iron
hnd seared htm there. Ho stretched
forth an arm almlossly and gripped an
iron Btnnchlon, stopping his fall, and
hung there for what scemod au eon,
sea nnd skies swimming blood-red be
foro his oyos, In his ears a thunder
ous rushing as of mighty waters.
By a supreme effort of will ho kept
himself half-erect, clinging to the rail,
I and opened his eyes. So briefly had
pain blinded him that It was patent
barely a Bceond had elapsed since the
firing oi tho shots. To his left a
stricken lascar was still In tho act of
falling; before hlra Mrs. Prynno stood
motionless, her faco a mask of horror,
revolver still poised; to tho right the
serang, drawing a krls, was smiling
sardonically, his eyes llxed upon tho
woman who had set at naught his
plans.
O'ltourko tried to call a warning to
her, for It was plain that she was ap
palled by what she had done, heedless
of all but the man she had killed; but
It was as If tho bullet that creased his
tomple had temporarily paralyzed
him; his tonguo clavo to tho roof of
his mouth and ho could nelthor move
nor speak.
Powerless (ho believed), he watched
tho serang gather himself together,
llko some gnunt cat, and spring; In
two Btrldes ho would havo been upon
tho woman and tho night had been
crowned with Its most pitiful crime.
Yet In midair, O'ltourko saw the man
falter and fall back, dropping tho
krls and clutching frantically at nothing.
Stupidly tho adventurer saw tho
smoko trickling from tho muzzlo of
his own rovolver and knew that, some
how, ho had managed to pull the trig
ger. His heart leapt In his breast, so
keen was his gratitude. Trembling
In every limb, ho essayed a second
tlmo to fire and put a final period to
tho serang's career. Dut his shot
went wido and tho cylinder Jammed
so that the hammer would not rise
a second tlmo. With an oath he let
go tho rail and attempted to bridge
tho distance between himself and tho
lascar, who was now at a considers
bio distance reeling away toward tho
rail.
Dut his overtaxed strength, sapped
by loss of blood, failed him; and mal
ico Infused now vigor Into the serang,
now power to accomplish his final
llendfsh act.
Grinning with nngulsh, tho man
leapt away from O'ltourko, staggered
and, Jerking back his arm, flung tho
Pool of Flamo from him with all his
might.
O'ltourko paused, petrified with de
spair Tho great stone, glinting in
tho moonlight llko the very heart of
lire, described a long and flaming aro
and . . . the sea lenpt up with a
hiss to welcome It and It was gone.
A bitter cry broko from tho Irish
man's lips; ho made for tho man,
whom ho would gladly have killed
with his baro hands. But again ho
failed. Tho lascar, perhaps guessing
hla Intention, was at the last too quick
for him.
By a supreme effort tho gaunt se
rang seized tho rail, lifted himself up
on It, and dropped over tho side, fol
lowing that to win which ho had giv
en his Hfo.
CHAPTER XXV.
Mrs. Prynne, rousod out of her semi
stupor by O'Rourko's cry, with seme
return of her habitual clearness of
thought, stopped to the companlonwny
and called foi her maid.
O'ltourko passed u hand over his
eyes, and brought It away black with
blood, but was no more than half
awaro or this Dazed and lieartbrok
on, ho stared blankly round tho sham
bles that was the deck, then, recover
ing slightly, snw Cecllo Join hor rals
tress, and realized that, whatever his
personal grief, pain nnd despair, he
muse piny tho part of tho O'Rourke.
So ho turned and staggered down Into
tho saloon.
Danny was In his berth, Bleeping the
cblldllkj nnd logllko sleep that was
over his. Dravoa, bolow, his ears draf
oned by tho mighty chant of his en
gines, hnd been no more conscious of
tho drama on deck than hnd Danny.
O'ltourko caught tho boy with hands
that gripped his shouldera cruelly, and
shook him awake, then methodically
booted him up tho stops to tho deck.
Onco there, Dannj emtio to his prop
er sensos and fell with a will to tho
tasks O'ltourko set for him. With Ce
cllo be lifted the unconscious captain
and boro hint down to his borth, then
left him to the ministrations of mis
tress nnd maid and returned to tluow
overboard tho last corpse, that of tho
lascar whom tho serang hnd set to
sluy tho adventurer from behind.
O'ltourko himself proceeded to tho
bridge, whoro ho found the helmsman
still at tho wheel, soberly keeping tho
vessel on'her course. Tho clrcum
Blanco nt tho tlmo surprised him; hut
It afterwards was doveloped by dint
of cross-examination of tho remainder
of tho crow that tho soraug had spe
cially exempted Quick and Dravoa
from the general massacre, they being
hold necessnry to tho navigation of
the ship. He had Ukewlso put strict
lnjuctlons on tho helmsman not to do
sort the wheel, whatever the tide of
battle, whether for or ngalnst b!J
brethren. Tho stabbing of Qulri
seemed to have been accidental, or
necessary under circumstances unfore
seen. As a matter of fact, tho rcmalndor
of tho lasenrs were thoroughly cowed
nnd proved unbollovably docllo for tho
balanco of tho trip.
Thus It was that tho voyage of tho
Itaneo from Aden to Bombay was
pushed through without further fatal
ity. To the Irishman, however, must
go more than half tho credit; for forty-eight
hours lie never left tho bridge
nor once closed his eyes In slumber.
It was not indeed until tho llancc,
on tho stroke of the hour, tho evening
of the fifteenth day of Juno, walked
smartly into Bombay harbor, tho in
ternational code signal "NJ" flutter
ing from her peak, rounded Colabra
and dropped anchor off tho point; not
until Danny and Drnvos, freo at length
from their toll in tho broiling engine-
room, camo on deck to relievo him,
that O'Hourke collapsed stumbled
down tho brldgo ladder and lurched
drunkenly down the saloon compan
lonwny. His head humming with
sleep, his brain bemused with fatigue
and pain, his eyes heavy, he brushed
by Mrs. Prynne without seeing her or
even hearing her low cry of pity and
solicitude; und so entering tho first
stateroom that he came to, throw him
self, already asleep, Into the berth.
As he did so a loaded revolver
dropped from his numb fingers. . .
CHAPTER XXVI.
It was night when O'Hourko awoke;
he found himself staring wide-eyed at
tho celling of the stateroom, upon
which rippled wavering lines of light
reflected through tho portholo by tho
waters without. His mind for the
time wasa blank; he was meroly con
scious that ho was rested and very
thirsty, and that the ship was mo
tionless. Then In a blinding flash memory
returned to him. He rose, curiously
light-headed and strangely weak,
pushed open the door and stepped in
to tho saloon.
It was lighted, If poorly, by a smoky
kerosene lamp dependent from a beam
abovo the center-table, and wore a hol
low, dingy air of desolation for all
that Danny slept there, his vivid head
pillowed on arms crossed before him
on tho table. The ship was utterly si
lent, and the O'llourko's sensitive in
stinct told him that it was tenanted
only by himself and the servant.
He clapped a hand on Danny's
shoulder and shook him into wakeful
ness. The boy leapt to his feet with
a cry and, seizing O'llourko's hand, be
gan to sob upon It a touching but
disconcerting performance, to tho last
degree exasperating to a man thirst
ing and famished.
O'Rourke, as gently as he could, dis
engaged his hand and thrust Danny
away, at tho samo tlmo indicating lu
no uncertain tones that ho preferred
meat and drink to emotional crisis.
Provided with a duty, Danny's senti
mental nature was diverted; ho bust
led away and returned with an excel
lent told meal sandwiches, a salad,
cheese, and other edibles upon a tray
graced likewise by a bottle of cham
pagne. And you aro to bellevo that
tho master fell to and wolfed It all,
to tho last crumb and tho last drop.
A new man, refreshed, ho demanded
a pipe, and, with his head cocked on
one sldo and something of his old hu
mor twinkling In his eye, what tlmo
It was not clouded with bewilderment
and concern at the answers he re
ceived, cross-examined his valet.
"How long," was his first question,
"will I have slept now, Danny yo
divvlo?"
"Wan complete round av the clock,
ycr honor."
"Where are we?"
"At anchor, sor, off tho Fort In Bom
bay harbor."
"Umm-hra. I'm by way of remem
bering something of that. What of
tho captalu?"
"Raymoved, yer honor, to a horse
plttlo ashore, sor, to con-valesce. At
lasto, I'm thinking thot's the word
the doctor used, sor."
O'Rourke pulled at his cigar, re
gnrded regretfully the empty glass be
foro him, and with some visible reluct
anco put tho question that, more than
f aught else, he had wished to put ever
since ho hnd eaten.
"And Mrs. Prynne?"
"Aw, yer honor!"
"What's the matter, Danny?"
"Sure, sor, and axln' yer pnrdon for
spakin' so, and manln' no manner of
dlsrnysplct whatsoever "
"What the dlvvle, Danny!"
Danny drew himself up with an air,
bristling Indignation "Suro, nnd 'tis
moself never Been the lolko av thltn
wimmin tor ranu ingrntlcliude, sor.
And tifthcr all thot mcself hnd said
to thot black-eyed Frinch vixen "
"Danny!"
"No, sor, not wan word av ut will
I wlddror, not If er honor discharges
me wid me usual month's no' Ice, sor
this minute. Fulx, didn't 1 boo? No
more and the anchor was down, sor,
nnd yersllf did to tho worrld In yer
berth, sor, thia thlm two does bo after
hailln' a boat and lntendln' to go
ashore, wldout so much as a fare-ye-well,
and mo meanln' tho most hon
orable Intlntlons In tho world toward
the maid"
"Havo your Intentions ovor been
might elso toward any womnn ye ever
won a smile from, epalpeon?"
"Aw, now, yer honor "
(TO BU CONTINUED.)
Just Dying to Do It.
Servant No, tho vicar Is not In Jusl
now. Is there any message?
Old Woman (cheorfully) Well, tell
blm that Martha Hlgglna would like
to be burled at two o'clock tomorrow
afternoon.' London Opinion.
jKv sJLpi
That's the kinrj lob
by's There isn't an
other sliced dried beef
like it. Good? It's the
inside cut of the finest
beef sliced to wafer thin
ness. r
Sliced
Dried Beef
stands supreme. The tasty
dishes ono can make with it
are almost numberless.
Let's see ! There's creamed
dried beef, and but just try
it. Then you'll know I
Always Insist on Libby's
Don't accopt"ajustasgood." From
relish to roast, from condiment to
conserve, the quality of Libby's
Ready-to-Sorvo Foods is always
ouperior. And they don't cost ona
whit more than the ordinary kinds.
Pat up in sterilised glatt or tin
containers
At Every Grocers
Libby, McNeill & Libby
Chicago
HER LITTLE HAND IN HIS
Mr. Pecke's Explanation as to Reason
Somewhat Dispelled the Odor
of Romance.
Henno and Pecke were two henpeck
ed married men. The other day they
met, and, after a few casual remarks
concerning tho weather, the subject
of women and unfortunate husbanda
was perhaps naturally discussed. To
Henno, however, suddenly camo
thoughts of years ago, when ho was
a happy bachelor, and (unconsciously
of what Fato had In store for him)
was "walking out" a girl who was.
later on, destined to bring him sor
row and misery.
1 Pocko, seeing a "far-away" look lu
his companion's eyes, Inquired the
meaning. Henno retorted dramat
ically, "I was Just then thinking, old
fellow, of thoso happy days long ago
when I used to hold that girl's hand
In mlno tor hours when "
' But tho equally unfortunate Pecko
suddenly cut his companion Bhort by
exclaiming: "Why, that's nothing
Cheer up! Do you know, only yes
terday 1 hold my wife's hand for three
solid hours."
What?" aald the startled Henno.
"Yes, It's a fact," resumed Pecke,
sorrowfully; "and I declare If I'd lot
loose sho'd havo killed mo." London
Tit-Blta.
Not So Bad.
"I don't seo how you can find life
worth living in such a small town."
"Oh. It's not so bad. Wo probably
havo just as many scandals bore as
thoro are In your neighborhood."
Homely Philosophy.
"'After all, it Isn't always those
with the loudest voicos that havo tho
best things to say,' said tho little
brown hen."
""
A Triumph
Of Cookery
Post
Toasties
Many delicious dishes
have been made from
Indian Com by the skill
and ingenuity of the ex
pert cook.
But none of these crea
tions excels Post Toast
ies in tempting the palate.
"Toasties" are a lux
ury that make a delight
ful hot - weather economy.
The first package tells
its own story.
'The Memory Lingers"
Sold by Ctocen.
Poctum Cerrft! Conptjiy, Limited.
Otitl Ck. Mich., U. S. A.
fKB Lit
SIimH
