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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b5ede95 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #50533 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/50533) diff --git a/old/50533-h.zip b/old/50533-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 4b5c762..0000000 --- a/old/50533-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/50533-h/50533-h.htm b/old/50533-h/50533-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 8558310..0000000 --- a/old/50533-h/50533-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5781 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=us-ascii" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of Motor Matt's Launch; or, A Friend in Need, by Stanley R. Matthews. - </title> - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - h1,h2,h3 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; -} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; - clear: both; -} - -hr.chap {width: 65%} -hr.full {width: 95%;} - -hr.r5 {width: 5%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;} - -table { - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; -} - - .tdl {text-align: left;} - .tdr {text-align: right;} - .tdc {text-align: center;} - -.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - /* visibility: hidden; */ - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; -} /* page numbers */ - -.bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} - -.bt {border-top: solid 2px;} - -.br {border-right: solid 2px;} - -.bbox {border: solid 2px;} - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - -.u {text-decoration: underline;} - -/* Images */ -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; -} - -/* Transcriber's notes */ -.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; - color: black; - font-size:smaller; - padding:0.5em; - margin-bottom:5em; - font-family:sans-serif, serif; } -img { border: 0; } -.huge { font-size: 200%; } -.large { font-size: 150%; } -.medium { font-size: 125%; } -.small { font-size: 75%; } -.chaptitle { text-align: center; } -.sig { text-align: right; margin-right: 1.5em; } - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Motor Matt's Launch, by Stanley R. Matthews - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Motor Matt's Launch - or, A Friend in Need - -Author: Stanley R. Matthews - -Release Date: November 22, 2015 [EBook #50533] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOTOR MATT'S LAUNCH *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Demian Katz and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Images -courtesy of the Digital Library@Villanova University -(http://digital.library.villanova.edu/)) - - - - - - -</pre> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> -<a href="images/coverlarge.jpg"><img src="images/cover.jpg" width="400" height="563" alt=""Steady!" cried Motor Matt; -"you'll be all right in -a minute."" /></a> -</div> -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h1>MOTOR STORIES</h1> - -<table summary="scaffold"> -<tr> -<td style="width: 50%; padding-right: 1.5em;" class="tdr"> -THRILLING<br /> -ADVENTURE -</td> -<td style="width: 50%; padding-left: 1.5em;" class="tdl"> -MOTOR<br /> -FICTION -</td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="bb bt tdl"> -NO. 21<br /> -JULY 17, 1909. -</td> -<td class="bb bt tdr"> -FIVE<br /> -CENTS -</td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl large"> -MOTOR MATT'S<br /> -LAUNCH -</td><td class="tdr large"> -<span class="smcap">or</span> A FRIEND<br /> -IN NEED -</td> -</tr><tr> -<td colspan="2" class="tdc"> -<span class="smcap"><i>by The Author<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 5em;">of MOTOR MATT</span></i></span> -</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"> -<span class="smcap">Street & Smith,<br /> -Publishers,<br /> -New York.</span> -</td> -</tr></table> -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<table summary="scaffold" class="bbox"> -<tr><td colspan="2" class="tdc huge">MOTOR STORIES</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr large" style="padding-right: .25em;">THRILLING ADVENTURE</td><td class="tdl large" style="padding-left: .25em;">MOTOR FICTION</td></tr> -</table> - -<p><i>Issued Weekly. By subscription $2.50 per year. Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1909, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, -Washington, D. C., by</i> <span class="smcap">Street & Smith</span>, <i>79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York, N. Y.</i></p> - -<table summary="scaffold" class="bb bt"> -<tr><td style="width: 33%;" class="tdl">No. 21.</td><td style="width: 33%;" class="tdc">NEW YORK, July 17, 1909.</td><td style="width: 33%;" class="tdr">Price Five Cents.</td></tr> -</table> - - - - -<p class="center huge"><a name="Motor_Matts_Launch" id="Motor_Matts_Launch">Motor Matt's Launch</a></p> - -<p class="center">OR,</p> - -<p class="center large">A FRIEND IN NEED.</p> - -<hr class="r5" /> -<p class="center">By the author of "MOTOR MATT."</p> -<hr class="r5" /> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS</a></h2> - -<p class="center"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I. NEW FRIENDS AND NEW FORTUNES.</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II. THE RAFFLE.</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III. PING PONG OBJECTS.</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV. ANOTHER RESCUE.</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V. AN ODD TANGLE.</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI. THE RICH MAN'S SON.</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII. A PLAN THAT FAILED.</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII. A CHASE ACROSS THE BAY.</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX. THE LION'S MOUTH.</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X. THE MOUTH CLOSES.</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI. SURPRISING EVENTS.</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII. M'GLORY'S RUN OF LUCK.</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII. WAITING AND WORRYING.</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV. PING STARS HIMSELF.</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV. A NEW TWIST—BY GEORGE.</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI. ANOTHER TWIST—BY MATT AND M'GLORY.</a><br /> -<a href="#THE_MAN-EATER">THE MAN-EATER.</a><br /> -</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<div class="bbox"> -<h2><a name="CHARACTERS_THAT_APPEAR_IN_THIS_STORY" id="CHARACTERS_THAT_APPEAR_IN_THIS_STORY">CHARACTERS THAT APPEAR IN THIS STORY.</a></h2> - - -<blockquote> - -<p><b>Matt King</b>, otherwise Motor Matt.</p> - -<p><b>Joe McGlory</b>, a young cowboy who proves himself a lad of worth -and character, and whose eccentricities are all on the humorous -side. A good chum to tie to—a point Motor Matt is quick to -perceive.</p> - -<p><b>George Lorry</b>, a lad who has begun steering a wrong course, and in -whom Matt recognizes a victim of circumstances rather than a -youth who is innately conceited, domineering and unscrupulous.</p> - -<p><b>Ping Pong</b>, a young Chinese who wins a motor launch in a raffle -and insists on working for Motor Matt. Full of heathen vagaries, -he drops mysteriously out of the story—but is destined to -be heard from again.</p> - -<p><b>"Red-whiskers,"</b> otherwise "Big John," an unscrupulous person -who takes his dishonest toll wherever he can find it; but, in -crossing Motor Matt's course, he meets with rather more than -he has bargained for.</p> - -<p><b>Kinky and Ross</b>, two pals of Big John.</p> - -<p><b>Landers</b>, another pal who proves treacherous.</p></blockquote> -</div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">NEW FRIENDS AND NEW FORTUNES.</p> - - -<p>"What next?"</p> - -<p>Not often does a boy put that question to himself and -receive an answer as quickly as Motor Matt received his.</p> - -<p>The king of the motor boys was out among the sand -dunes on the Presidio Military Reservation. He had -started to walk to the old fort at the Golden Gate, but -had dropped down on one of the sand heaps, thinking—a -little moodily, it must be admitted—over his present -situation, and what lay ahead.</p> - -<p>It was a fine morning. The sky was pale blue and -without a cloud, and the bay was as blue as indigo. The -trade wind blew over him, and tempered the heat, and the -salt tang in the air reminded him of the long voyage -around the Horn which he and his chums had completed -no more than a week before.</p> - -<p>Alcatraz was so close that it almost seemed to Matt as -though he could take a running jump from the shore -and clear the intervening stretch of water, and beyond -Alcatraz, like a purple pyramid, arose Tamalpais, looking -westward across the Pacific.</p> - -<p>Matt was gloomy because, early that morning, he had -separated from his two chums, Dick Ferral and Carl -Pretzel. Dick had received a telegram from his uncle, -in Denver, asking him to come east at once. At his invitation, -Carl had gone with him. Both lads urged Matt -to accompany them, but he had declined, thinking more -seriously than he had ever done of some "prep" school -and a course at Leland Stanford. If he was to take that -step, seeking new friends and new fortunes, why not -take it now?</p> - -<p>There was something more in life, Matt told himself, -than just knocking around the world, meeting all kinds -of trouble and getting the upper hand of it.</p> - -<p>But there were the motors, the explosive engines Matt -loved so well, and had worked among so long. If he entered -some academy, he would have to turn his back on -the humming cylinders, the rushing wheels, and the -racing propellers.</p> - -<p>That thought gave him a pang. The gasoline motor -was just coming into its own, and the field that lay before -it was so wide as to stagger the imagination. Could Matt -tear himself away from the fascination of terminals, commutators -and spark plugs, from differential and transmission<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> -gear, from spray nozzles and float feeds, from the -steady explosion, the perfect mixture of air and gasoline, -the humming of the coils, and the beautifully balanced -reciprocity of a running motor?</p> - -<p>Well, after a while, perhaps, but not—not right away.</p> - -<p>"What next?" he asked himself.</p> - -<p>"Huh!" came a sound, half-grunt and half-greeting, -from directly in front of him.</p> - -<p>During his reflections, Matt's head had bowed forward -and his eyes had fixed themselves vacantly on the gray -sand. He raised his glance abruptly, and saw within a -yard of him a young fellow in dingy sombrero, faded blue -flannel shirt, and corduroy trousers.</p> - -<p>The lad could not have been more than seventeen. His -face was tanned a deep bronze, and his eyes were as black -as midnight. His nose was what is termed a "snub," and -gave his face a droll, humorous look. As he slouched in -front of Matt he had his hands in his pockets.</p> - -<p>For a full minute Matt and the stranger surveyed each -other.</p> - -<p>"Huh!" said the stranger again, pulling a hand out -of his pocket to jerk the brim of his hat down over one -eye. "Got any sand?" he inquired.</p> - -<p>"Sand?" echoed Matt.</p> - -<p>"Sure—s-a-n-d, sand. I'm game as a hornet myself, -and I reckon I can lay holt of you and wind you up like -an eight-day clock. Say, try me a whirl, catch-as-catch-can. -If I can't put you on your back in a brace of -shakes, I'll eat my spurs. Dare you!"</p> - -<p>The stranger backed off, and pushed up his sleeves. A -wide grin crossed his face and his black eyes twinkled.</p> - -<p>"What have you got against me?" asked Matt. "Why -do you want to fight?"</p> - -<p>"Shucks! You got to have a reason for every blamed -thing? Come at me. Dare you—dare you! I'm hungry -to caper—and you ain't going to hold back on a feller -when he's <i>hungry</i>, are you?"</p> - -<p>Matt laughed.</p> - -<p>"Well, no," he answered, getting up.</p> - -<p>Then, without any ifs, ands, or whyfors, the king of -the motor boys and the stranger rushed together.</p> - -<p>It was the "double grapevine" that did the business for -the stranger. In ten seconds, by the watch, he went into -the air and dropped down on the soft sand with a <i>chug</i> -that left him dazed and bewildered. Then he sat up and -stared.</p> - -<p>"Well, well, well!" he sputtered. He was still grinning, -and his black eyes traveled over Matt with wonder -and admiration. "You the Tur'ble Turk in disguise?" he -inquired.</p> - -<p>"Hardly," laughed Matt. "You must have learned -wrestling in an Agricultural School."</p> - -<p>"Mebby," answered the other, picking himself up, -"but I ain't diving into my wannegan any, at that. You -can't give me another jolt like that, pard. Two out of -three, you know. First fall for the gent in the leather -cap—but the next one's mine. Whoop-ee!"</p> - -<p>The stranger, bareheaded and sleeves rolled to his elbows, -rushed at Matt like a hurricane. Matt side-stepped, -whirled, caught his antagonist from behind and shouldered -him like a bag of meal. The next instant he had -dropped him, and squirmed out from under his gripping -fingers.</p> - -<p>"Gee, man!" gasped the stranger, rubbing his hand -over his eyes. "Speak to me about that, oh, <i>do</i>! He lifts -me up and sets me down, and all my caperin' don't -amount to shucks. Ain't it scandalous to be hip-locked -with like that?"</p> - -<p>"Got enough?" asked Matt.</p> - -<p>"Plenty, <i>amigo</i>." The stranger climbed to his feet, -picked up his hat and reflectively slapped the sand out -of it. "Down where I come from, a feller can 'most always -tell when he's got enough. When did you break -out on this part of the map?"</p> - -<p>"A week ago."</p> - -<p>"What label do you tote?"</p> - -<p>"King, Matt King."</p> - -<p>The strange youth came within one of dropping his -hat.</p> - -<p>"Speak to me about <i>that</i>!" he gasped, his eyes widening. -"Why, I might as well have wrestled with a locomotive -and tried to stand it on its headlight in the right -of way! Say, I've read about <i>you</i>! You're the king of -the motor boys—the big high boy who brought that submarine -around South Americy, and turned her over to -Uncle Sam here in 'Frisco. <i>Gracias!</i>"</p> - -<p>"What are you thanking me for?"</p> - -<p>"Because you could have tied me into a bowknot and -tossed me into the bay—and you didn't. Next time I -hip-lock with a cyclone I hope somebody will put a tag -on me and ship me to an asylum for the feeble-minded. -My name's McGlory, Joe McGlory, and when I'm to -home I hang up my lid in Tucson. Shake, Motor Matt. -You sure stack up pretty high with me."</p> - -<p>"Glad to know you, McGlory," said Matt, highly edified, -giving the youth's hand a cordial pressure. "Is it -your custom to take a fall out of every acquaintance you -make?"</p> - -<p>"Well, it's sort of satisfyin', when you make friends -with a galoot, to know which is the best man. It shows -you what he's got in him that you can depend on in a -pinch, see? I reckon you think I've got everything but -the long ears, eh? Don't make a mistake about that, pard. -I'm not so foolish as you might think. Tell me something!"</p> - -<p>"What?"</p> - -<p>"While you've been in 'Frisco have you seen anything -of a feller about my heft and height, scar an inch long -over his right eyebrow, answerin' to the name of George -Lorry?"</p> - -<p>Matt shook his head.</p> - -<p>"Haven't seen him," he answered. "Are you looking -for a fellow answering that description?"</p> - -<p>"I am, a heap."</p> - -<p>The grin, which seemed almost perpetual on McGlory's -face, faded into an earnest expression as he mentioned -the lad he was looking for.</p> - -<p>"Did you come to this reservation looking for him?" -went on Matt.</p> - -<p>"Nary, pard." McGlory faced the boy, and waved his -hand toward the life-saving station ahead, and to the left -of them, on the shore. "I'm mortal fond of boats," he -went on. "Kind of queer, that, don't you think, for a -galoot that's passed pretty near his whole life in the mines -and in the cattle ranges? Anyway, that's me. I can't -cross the ferry without gettin' seasick, but, all the same, -everything that floats tickles me more than I can tell. -I've been down to the life-saving station looking at the -surf boat."</p> - -<p>"I'm fond of boats myself," said Matt, "especially motor -boats. There's something on the ground that must<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> -belong to you, McGlory," he added, pointing to the sand -near where McGlory had fallen, the first time.</p> - -<p>The young cowboy looked at the object, and then recovered -it with a whoop. The object was a small, oblong -square of pasteboard.</p> - -<p>"It's a ticket for the raffle," McGlory explained. -"There's two hundred of 'em out, and I've got sixty."</p> - -<p>"Raffle?" queried Matt.</p> - -<p>"Sure. A little old motor launch is goin' to be raffled -off, over at Tiburon, this afternoon. Say, that boat's -a streak! She can show her heels to anythin' in San -Francisco Bay. Speak to me about that, will you! I've -got sixty chances out of two hundred for baggin' her. -Come over with me to the raffle, pard. I've cottoned to -you, and you're my style from the ground up. What -say?"</p> - -<p>"Can you run a motor launch?" asked Matt.</p> - -<p>"Don't know the first thing about it."</p> - -<p>"What do you want with such a boat, then, if it makes -you seasick to ride on the water, and if you don't know -how to run a motor?"</p> - -<p>"Shucks! Whenever I get a notion I play it up strong, -no matter whether there's any reason in it or not. That's -Joe McGlory from spurs to headpiece, and everybody in -Tucson will tell you the same. Are you with me, Matt? -If you are, we'll slide back through the reservation, and -jump the cars."</p> - -<p>Matt had already conceived a liking for young McGlory. -There was something mysterious about him, and -a mystery is always attractive.</p> - -<p>A few moments later the king of the motor boys was -strolling along the old board walk between the big -Presidio barracks and the row of officers' houses, side by -side with his new friend.</p> - -<p>New friends and new fortunes, ran his thoughts. How -were they to turn out, and what were they to be?</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">THE RAFFLE.</p> - - -<p>"There she is, Matt; and it's apples to ashes she's the -fastest thing that floats. Why, she can run like a scared -coyote makin' for home and mother. I've seen her perform, -pard, and when she goes any place she arrives -just before she starts. Speak to me about that, please. -Squint at her good and hard, and tell me what you -think."</p> - -<p>Motor Matt and Joe McGlory had eaten their dinner -at a restaurant in Market Street, and had caught the -one-o'clock boat across the bay to Tiburon. It was now -a quarter to two, and they were standing on a small -wharf, not far from the ferry landing, looking down on a -trim little boat. There were about a dozen others, men -and boys, lounging on the wharf. The raffle was to come -off at two, and most of the idlers, presumably, had bought -tickets, and were waiting to "put their fortune to the -touch."</p> - -<p>The boat was an eighteen-footer, some three feet beam, -and looked as though she could "git up and git" if enough -ginger were thrown into her propeller. She was in -charge of a boy who had let her drift out to the end of a -ten-foot painter.</p> - -<p>"Pull her in," called Matt to the boy. "I'd like to look -at her engine."</p> - -<p>The boy laid hold of the painter, and drew the boat up -alongside the wharf. Matt dropped into her, and lifted -one side of the hinged hood that protected the motor.</p> - -<p>He found that the engine consisted of two horizontal -opposed cylinders, and was as neat, simple, and compact a -marine motor as any he had ever seen. The gasoline tank -was in the nose of the boat.</p> - -<p>"Ten horse power," mused Matt.</p> - -<p>"You've struck it," said the boy.</p> - -<p>After a five-minute examination the only fault Matt -had to find with the machinery lay in the reversing gear. -The brake band was not properly adjusted, but was set -so that it dragged on the drum, which could hardly fail -to result in a reduction of speed.</p> - -<p>When Matt climbed up on the wharf again McGlory -met him with an eager question as to what he thought -of the <i>Sprite</i>, which was the name of the little craft.</p> - -<p>"She's all right," answered Matt, "and ought to run -like a singed cat."</p> - -<p>"Worth a couple of hundred plunks?"</p> - -<p>"The motor alone is worth a hundred and fifty, and -seems to be as good as new."</p> - -<p>"Whoop!" exulted McGlory. "Somebody's going to -get her for a cartwheel—one single, solitary piece of the -denomination of eight bits. Mebby it's me? <i>Quien -sabe?</i>"</p> - -<p>"There were two hundred tickets, you say, and they -were sold at a dollar each?"</p> - -<p>"Keno, correct, and then some."</p> - -<p>"And you have sixty tickets, Joe?"</p> - -<p>"Again your bean is on the right number, pard."</p> - -<p>"Well, if you get the boat she will have cost you sixty -dollars."</p> - -<p>"But it's only one ticket out of the sixty that wins her, -Matt. Fifty-nine plunks are squandered, and it's one big -dollar that pulls her down to me. I'd have bought more, -if I'd had the <i>dinero</i>."</p> - -<p>"I might take a chance myself," observed Matt, "although -I haven' any more use for a motor launch here -in 'Frisco than has a stray cowboy by the name of McGlory."</p> - -<p>"Nary, you won't, Matt," said McGlory. "Tickets are -all gone."</p> - -<p>"What in the world are you going to do with the craft -if you win her?"</p> - -<p>"I can't tell how nervous you make me, wanting a reason -for every blooming thing. The notion hit me plumb -between the eyes, Matt, and that's all there is to it. But -if I can't use the <i>Sprite</i> I can sell her, can't I? And if -I did want to go cruising, I've got you to run her for -me! Oh, speak to me about that. But," and here McGlory's -face fell, "I'm not going to get her. Johnny -Hardluck has been running neck and neck with me ever -since I was knee-high to a clump of cactus. If I'd have -bought a hundred and ninety-nine tickets, the pasteboard -I failed to corral would be the one that bobbed up when -the wheel stopped runnin'. That's me, but I'm so plumb -locoed that I keep trying to bust this hard-luck blockade. -What's that—a twenty-dollar gold piece?"</p> - -<p>Matt had stooped down while McGlory was talking, -and picked up a flat object from the ground in front of -him.</p> - -<p>"A baggage check," answered Matt. "Some of the -crowd here must have dropped it. If we could find——"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span></p> - -<p>Just then, a man appeared carrying his derby hat in his -hand. The hat was filled with numbered slips.</p> - -<p>"Gents," called the man, "this here drawin' for the -<i>Sprite</i> is now a-goin' to take place. Somebody's a-goin' -to get that little streak o' greased lightnin' for a dollar. -She's a good boat, an' wouldn't be sold for twice two -hundred if her owner hadn't tumbled into a stretch of -hard luck. She's done her mile in four minutes, the -<i>Sprite</i> has, right here in the bay. This here hat is filled -with slips o' paper numbered from one to two hundred, -like the tickets. One of 'em's goin' to be drawed by the -kid, who'll be blindfolded for the occasion. The lucky -number the kid first pulls from the hat takes the boat."</p> - -<p>Cheers from the assembled crowd greeted the "kid" -as he climbed out of the boat and allowed a handkerchief -to be tied over his eyes. Then, with much formality, and -while the breathless crowd watched, the youngster's -grimy hand went into the hat and pushed around wrist-deep -among the slips.</p> - -<p>"If the feller that gets the boat lives over in 'Frisco," -pursued the man, while the boy dallied provokingly with -the slips, "he won't have to wait for the next boat back. -All he's got to do is to jump into the <i>Sprite</i>, head her -where he wants to go, and cut loose. She's full o' oil and -gasoline, an' could go from here to Vallejo without takin' -on any more."</p> - -<p>The boy's hand lifted from the hat and held up a slip.</p> - -<p>"Number seventy-three," read the man; "number seventy-three -is the lucky ticket, an' gets the <i>Sprite</i>. Who's -got number seventy-three?"</p> - -<p>"Stung again!" said McGlory gloomily, taking a handful -of tickets from his pocket and tossing them into the -air. "I might just as well say moo and chase myself. -Sixty <i>pesos</i> gone where the woodbine twineth, and McGlory's -got another lesson in the way luck's cut him -out of her herd. Mebby it's just as well. I've got about -as much use for a motor launch as a yaller dog for the -tin can tied to the end of his tail, but the notion that I -wanted the thing sure hit me hard."</p> - -<p>"You ought to put a curb on those notions of yours, -Joe," said Matt. "They seem to be pretty expensive."</p> - -<p>"Shucks! Well, I get a couple o' square miles of fun -nursing the notions along, anyways. It's hoping for -things that makes a feller feel good; he never steps so -high, wide, and handsome after he gets 'em. Now——"</p> - -<p>Just here there came an excited chirp, followed by a -shrill cackle of joy. A Chinese boy, not more than fifteen -or sixteen, broke through the disappointed throng of -whites, his queue flying, and his blue silk blouse fluttering.</p> - -<p>"My gottee! Hoop-a-la! My ticket him seventy-tlee! -My gottee chug-chug boatee."</p> - -<p>"Happy days!" scowled McGlory, his eyes on the -young Chinaman. "If that washee-washee yaller mug -hasn't pulled down the prize I'm a sick Injun. And -here's me with sixty tickets, and him with only <i>one</i>! -Speak to me about that! What sort of a low-down thing -is luck, anyway, to pass up a respectable white, with sixty -chances, and dump that boat onto a Chink with only one! -Sufferin' sister! Let's go some place, Matt, where we -can be away from the crowd and by ourselves. I'm in -a mood for reflection—like old Jack Bisbee was when the -government mule kicked at him and set off a box of dynamite. -I've got it in the neck, as per usual, and I want -to say things to myself."</p> - -<p>"Wait a minute, Joe," returned Matt. "Let's watch -the Chinaman."</p> - -<p>The man who had "bossed" the drawing examined the -Chinaman's ticket.</p> - -<p>"It's seventy-three, all right," he remarked. "Where -you gettee, Charley?"</p> - -<p>"'Melican man no gottee dol pay fo' laundry," the Celestial -answered; "him givee China boy ticket."</p> - -<p>"It was sure a good play for you. There's your boat. -Take her."</p> - -<p>The yellow boy ran down to the edge of the wharf, -dancing around in his wooden shoes, and crooning -ecstatically to himself.</p> - -<p>"My gottee boat, my gottee boat! Hoop-a-la! Where -row sticks?" he demanded, turning to the man who had -been in charge of the raffle.</p> - -<p>"That's a motor boat, Charley," grinned the man. "You -don't need any row sticks."</p> - -<p>The yellow boy, still chattering to himself, slipped from -the wharf into the boat. One of the men, alive to the -humor of the situation, pulled the painter off the post and -threw it into the craft after him.</p> - -<p>"How you makee lun?" inquired the new owner of the -<i>Sprite</i>, taking his seat at the steering wheel.</p> - -<p>The bystanders began nudging each other in the ribs. -There was a delightful prospect ahead of them, in watching -this guileless Celestial, who knew nothing about motors, -trying to run a motor boat.</p> - -<p>Half a dozen voices called down directions for switching -on the spark, starting the flow of gasoline, and getting -the engine to going.</p> - -<p>"He'll get into trouble," cried Matt, pushing his way -through the crowd.</p> - -<p>"What's the diff?" guffawed a blear-eyed individual, -with a husky laugh. "It's only a chink, anyhow."</p> - -<p>Matt paid no attention to this remark.</p> - -<p>"You'd better look out, Charley," he called to the -Chinaman.</p> - -<p>"My gottee, you no gottee," the yellow boy answered. -"You no savvy China boy's pidgin; him savvy plenty fine. -Hoop-a-la!"</p> - -<p>The motor began to pop, and then to settle down into -a steady hum. The China boy was fairly palpitating with -excitement. Grabbing at a lever, he threw the power into -the propeller and the <i>Sprite</i> jumped ahead along the -wharf, rubbing her gunwale against the planks. Frantically -the Celestial yanked at the steering wheel. The -<i>Sprite</i> turned her nose into the wharf and tried to climb -out of the water.</p> - -<p>"She ain't no bubble wagon, chink!" roared the delighted -crowd; "don't bring her ashore!"</p> - -<p>"Turn the wheel the other way!" shouted some one -else. "If we can head the rat-eater right, he'll go plumb -through the Golden Gate to China."</p> - -<p>In the confusion of yells, the yellow boy caught the -suggestion and whirled the wheel the other way. In answer -to this sudden twist of the helm, the boat made a -hair-raising turn, going over so far that she almost -showed her garboard strake, then she flung away like a -race horse.</p> - -<p>A group of three piles arose out of the water, half a -cable's length from the wharf. The <i>Sprite</i> caught them a -glancing blow. There was a terrific jolt, and those on -the landing had a glimpse of a Chinaman in the air, his -hat and sandals flying in three different directions. He -came down headfirst in fifteen feet of water, while the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> -<i>Sprite</i> sheered away from the piles and struck a bee line -for Sausalito.</p> - -<p>Matt, seeing that disaster was sure to happen, had -jumped into a rowboat, and was bending to the oars. -There might be fun in baiting a Chinaman in that way, -but he could not see it.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">PING PONG OBJECTS.</p> - - -<p>Motor Matt's first intention was to fish the China boy -out of the water. He had barely started in the lad's direction, -however, when he saw McGlory teetering on the -edge of the wharf and throwing a rope.</p> - -<p>"Whoosh!" gulped the China boy, as he bobbed to the -surface and laid hold of the rope. "No likee boatee! My -gottee, no wantee. Whoosh!"</p> - -<p>Seeing that the lad was as good as rescued, Matt -turned his attention to the runaway launch. By some -freak of the steering gear the boat was cutting away in -a straight line.</p> - -<p>The rowboat Matt had secured for the occasion had -been tied well to the south of the piles into which the -Chinese had run the <i>Sprite</i>. The launch, describing a -turn before she struck into a straightaway course, would -have to pass a point directly abreast of Matt.</p> - -<p>By quick work with the oars he could reach the point -in time to lay hold of the launch.</p> - -<p>Under his strong arms the rowboat leaped out across -the water, and then, with a quick push on one oar and an -equally quick pull on the other, the boat was laid broadside -on to the course the runaway <i>Sprite</i> was taking.</p> - -<p>Not a second too soon was this accomplished. Hardly -had Matt dropped the oars when the <i>Sprite</i> came plunging -up beside him.</p> - -<p>Leaning out over the side of the rowboat, he grabbed -the gunwale of the <i>Sprite</i>. Both boats were hauled together, -and the rowboat was towed along at a fierce clip—but -only for a moment.</p> - -<p>Out of one boat and into the other Matt scrambled, -deftly avoiding the swamping of either craft. A minute -later he was at the steering wheel and the levers, and had -slowed down and turned the <i>Sprite</i> back.</p> - -<p>Yells and cheers greeted his successful manœuvre; -and when he regained the wharf, towing the rowboat, a -dozen willing hands reached down to catch and secure -the painters.</p> - -<p>"A dandy piece of work, you hear <i>me</i>!" bellowed one -of the crowd.</p> - -<p>"You didn't expect Motor Matt to play lame duck -while pullin' off a trick like that, did you?" came the -voice of McGlory. "Shucks! that was as easy for him -as sitting in at grub pile."</p> - -<p>"Say," cried the blear-eyed person, "is he the young -thunderbolt as brought that submarine around from the -Atlantic?"</p> - -<p>"He's the chap."</p> - -<p>This piece of information caused the crowd to develop -a tremendous amount of interest in the king of the motor -boys—more interest than he cared to claim.</p> - -<p>"Where's the Chinaman, Joe?" he asked, with difficulty -extricating himself from the crowd, and making his way -to McGlory's side.</p> - -<p>"Right here, Matt," answered the cowboy, leading the -way to a pile of old timber on which the dejected Celestial -was sitting. "He ain't feelin' quite as chipper as he was -a spell ago. 'Melican man's boatee didn't set well, and -he's got a bad attack of the blues."</p> - -<p>"Hello, Charley!" exclaimed Matt, leaning forward -and slapping the yellow boy on his wet shoulder. "Where -do you want that boat? I'll take it across the bay for -you if that's where you want it to go."</p> - -<p>"No wantee," was the doleful reply. "Him debble -boat; go sizz-sizz-sizzle, mebby so sendee China boy topside."</p> - -<p>"But you've won it, and it's yours."</p> - -<p>"No wantee," was the decided response. "My givee -you fi' dol you takee."</p> - -<p>McGlory exploded a laugh and fell down the timbers.</p> - -<p>"Speak to me about that, will you?" he gasped. "He's -willing to give you five dollars, Matt, to take the boat off -his hands."</p> - -<p>The blear-eyed man pushed closer.</p> - -<p>"See here, chink," said he, "don't you be a fool jest -because you got a chanst. What's the use of givin' a -feller money to take the boat? I'll give you a ten-dollar -bill for it, if that's the way you feel."</p> - -<p>McGlory pulled himself off the pile of timber and -stepped in front of the man.</p> - -<p>"I wonder if you wouldn't?" he scoffed.</p> - -<p>"What's it to you, anyhow?" growled the man. "Who -give you any right to butt in? If the chink wants to sell -the boat I got a right to buy it."</p> - -<p>"You ain't got a right to rob him, howsumever, and -I'm not going to loaf around with my hands in my -pockets and see you do it."</p> - -<p>"Blather! What's a chink, anyhow?"</p> - -<p>"A chap's got to be treated square," spoke up Matt, -"no matter whether his skin's white, black, or yellow."</p> - -<p>"Look here, Charley," persisted the man, "I'll give you -fifty cold dollars for that boat."</p> - -<p>"I'll give him seventy-five," put in another man. "If -the launch is going at a bargain I might as well hand over -a bid. What do you say, Charley?"</p> - -<p>The China boy's little eyes began to snap and sparkle -as the idea of profit drifted through his head.</p> - -<p>"Let them bid, Charley," said Matt. "I'll give you ten -dollars more than the highest bid they make."</p> - -<p>This headed off any further attempt to get the better -of the Chinaman. After lingering in the vicinity for a -few minutes, the last of the crowd departed in the direction -of the ferry house.</p> - -<p>"You takee boat," said the Chinaman to Matt. "You -ketchee, you takee. Huh?"</p> - -<p>"For how much?" queried Matt. "I haven't any use -for the craft, Charley, and I was merely bidding to keep -those other fellows from robbing you."</p> - -<p>"Wisht I had some money," muttered McGlory. "I'll -get a letter from Tucson in a day or two, and I reckon -it'll have a wad of <i>dinero</i> in it for me. Lend me enough -to buy that boat, Matt, and I'll fork over as soon as I -make the raise."</p> - -<p>"I'd be glad to lend you money, Joe, for anything but -that," answered Matt. "You don't need the <i>Sprite</i> any -more than I do, so, if I don't lend you any funds you -can't buy the boat."</p> - -<p>"That's just like a hired man, Matt, and not like a real -pard," mumbled McGlory. "But you're doing the right -thing, at that."</p> - -<p>"Me allee same Ping Pong," piped up the Celestial,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> -picking up the slack of his kimono and wringing the -water out of it. "Ah Choo makee lun launly, fire Ping -Pong, you savvy? Whoosh! My no gottee job allee -mo'."</p> - -<p>"That's rough," commiserated the cowboy, with a wink -in Matt's direction. "Little Ping Pong here worked for -Ah Choo, and the old sneeze pulled the pin on him. -What was that for, Ping?"</p> - -<p>"My takee ticket flom 'Melican man fol washee-washee," -explained the China boy. "Ah Choo no likee; -him tellee Ping Pong makee skip, nevel come back allee -mo'."</p> - -<p>"Listen to that!" went on McGlory. "A flat-faced -swatty owin' Ah Choo a dollar for the week's wash, blows -into the laundry emporium and trades a ticket on the raffle -with Ping Pong here for the amount of his debt. -When Ah Choo hears the particulars, he ditches Ping. -Ping comes over to Tiburon, wins the boat, and tries -to make it do a handspring over a clump of piles. Between -you and me, Matt, we pull him out of the briny -and save the boat, and here he is, worryin' because he's -out of a job and never thinking about the eighty-five -<i>pesos</i> that are bound to drop into his yellow palms!"</p> - -<p>"China boy workee fo' you," chirped Ping Pong, reaching -out to grab Matt's hand. "You takee boat, givee Ping -Pong job."</p> - -<p>"There's your chance," grinned McGlory. "Take on -the chink, Matt, and you corral the boat. It's no rhinecaboo -he's running in, either. He means every word of -it."</p> - -<p>Matt's eyes wandered in the direction of the ferry -house.</p> - -<p>"The next boat is about to leave," said he hurriedly. -"You take Ping and go on the boat, Joe, and I'll follow -you with the <i>Sprite</i>. You'll find me on the water front -near the foot of Clay Street. When we get back there -we'll find some way out of this difficulty. I haven't any -more use for the Chinaman than I have for the boat, but -I should think we could sell the boat for somewhere near -what she's worth and then turn the proceeds over to -Ping. That ought to keep him going until he finds a -job that suits him."</p> - -<p>"Keno!" agreed McGlory, grabbing the Celestial by the -arm. "Come on, Ping, and we'll strike a bee line for the -ferry."</p> - -<p>As they hurried off, Motor Matt returned to the landing -and to the <i>Sprite</i>. He was only a few moments casting -off and starting across the bay.</p> - -<p>Destiny was lying in wait for him. Fate knows her -business, and never juggles events into such a state as -they were then without having a well-defined object in -view.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">ANOTHER RESCUE.</p> - - -<p>Matt fell in behind the big ferryboat as she moved out -of the slip and churned up the water in the direction of -San Francisco. Drawing back far enough to be clear -of the steamer's troubled wake, he jogged along, and -tried out the <i>Sprite</i> with various manœuvres calculated to -test her motor and her rough-weather qualities.</p> - -<p>A keen delight ran tingling through every nerve as he -handled the steering wheel and manipulated the levers. -The engine worked perfectly; and, by flinging the little -craft ahead into the rough water thrown up by the -steamer, he was surprised and delighted at the easy work -she made of the big waves.</p> - -<p>For a while, McGlory and Ping grouped themselves -aft and watched him. Every now and then the cowboy -would wave his hat and shout something which the distance -between the boats rendered indistinguishable to -Matt.</p> - -<p>A tug came towing a two-masted ship in from the -Gate. Matt allowed the <i>Sprite</i> to fall off, so that the tug -and its tow would pass between him and the ferryboat. -As he headed westward in order to round the stern of -the sailing ship, Matt became suddenly aware that sailors -were running about the deck of the towed vessel, shouting -back and forth, and some of them hurrying to pick up -coils of rope. Abruptly the excitement ceased. The sailors -dropped their ropes, and two or three of them ran -up on the poop deck, waved their hands to Matt, and -pointed southward, along the track of the ferryboat.</p> - -<p>Matt could not hear what the sailors shouted to him, -but from their gestures he knew there was something demanding -his attention on the other side of their vessel. -As the schooner gurgled and lurched past, Matt saw a -human form bobbing about in the water, and he also saw -that the ferryboat was in the act of putting about.</p> - -<p>Waving a reassuring hand to the captain of the boat, -Matt forced the <i>Sprite</i> to her best speed, and laid a direct -course toward the struggling form. The captain of -the ferryboat, no doubt assuming that the launch would -easily effect a rescue, signaled his wheelman to keep on -across the bay.</p> - -<p>As Matt steadily diminished the distance that separated -him from the form in the water, the form suddenly -vanished. With his eyes on the spot where it had gone -down, the young motorist was just making ready to shut -off the power and dive overboard when the form once -more shot to the surface.</p> - -<p>"Keep afloat!" shouted Matt encouragingly, "I'm almost -alongside."</p> - -<p>It was a young fellow, Matt could see that, and there -was despair in his face as he turned his head in response -to the call.</p> - -<p>He tried to say something, but the words were lost in -a watery gurgle. His arms were working feebly, and it -was evident that he was nearly at the last gasp.</p> - -<p>Coaxing the last ounce of speed out of the <i>Sprite</i>, Matt -laid her bow within a foot of the youth, then swiftly -shifted the wheel in order to bring the side of the launch -as close as possible.</p> - -<p>Hanging to the wheel with one hand, Matt leaned outward -and downward, grabbing the collar of the youth's -sweater with his disengaged hand.</p> - -<p>"Steady!" cried Motor Matt; "you'll be all right in a -minute."</p> - -<p>Then, with a heave that caused the little boat to dip -at a dangerous angle, he hoisted the young fellow aboard -and dropped him splashing against the stern thwarts.</p> - -<p>There was plenty of life in him, and Matt felt, just -then, that the boat required more attention than he did. -After getting the <i>Sprite</i> back on her proper course, Matt -slowed her speed and looked around.</p> - -<p>The young fellow was sitting up in the bottom of the -boat, leaning back against the rear thwarts. He was about -Matt's own age, his hands were slender and white, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> -his sweater, trousers, and shoes were of the most expensive -material.</p> - -<p>"Did you ship much water?" asked Matt.</p> - -<p>"Not much," was the answer.</p> - -<p>"Fall off the boat?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>The youth did not seem inclined to go into particulars. -When he answered Matt's question, he leaned over the -gunwale to peer around Matt and get a look at the ferryboat.</p> - -<p>"She's going right on," he said, as though to himself; -"she won't stop to take me aboard."</p> - -<p>"It won't be necessary for the ferryboat to stop," spoke -up Matt. "I've got you aboard, and that's enough."</p> - -<p>The youth started, stared, and lifted one hand tremblingly -to his head.</p> - -<p>"How did you happen to drop overboard?" inquired -Matt.</p> - -<p>"I—I don't know," was the indefinite rejoinder. "I -just happened to, that's all. Where are you going?"</p> - -<p>"To San Francisco—where you must have been going."</p> - -<p>"Can't you put about and take me to Sausalito?"</p> - -<p>The request surprised Motor Matt.</p> - -<p>"Changed your mind about going to 'Frisco?"</p> - -<p>"I don't want to go there. I want to go to Sausalito. -It don't make any difference to you where you land me, -does it?"</p> - -<p>There was an arrogant, domineering air about the -youth, even in his present half-demoralized condition, that -struck the wrong kind of note in Matt's ears.</p> - -<p>"It just happens," returned Matt, "that I'm to meet a -friend at the foot of Clay Street, and he'll probably be -waiting for me when I get there. I don't see how it -makes very much difference to you, when it's certain -you must have been going to the city when you dropped -off the ferryboat."</p> - -<p>"Well," was the ungracious response, "it does make a -difference to me—a whole lot of difference. Will you -take me to Sausalito after you meet your friend?"</p> - -<p>"I guess the ferryboat can do that for you," answered -Matt stiffly.</p> - -<p>The strange youth had not had a word of thanks to -say to his rescuer, on the contrary, he was acting as -churlish as possible in the circumstances.</p> - -<p>"I'm in a nice fix to ride on a ferryboat," grumbled -the young fellow, looking down at his soggy clothing -and his water-logged shoes.</p> - -<p>"What's your name?" asked Matt.</p> - -<p>"What do you want to know that for?"</p> - -<p>"Curiosity," was the cool response. "I'd like to chalk -it up in my memory as belonging to a young chap who -couldn't even be civil to the fellow who saved him from -drowning."</p> - -<p>A tinge of color ran through the youth's pale face.</p> - -<p>"The captain of the ferryboat would have saved me, if -you hadn't," said he.</p> - -<p>"He couldn't have got there in time. You were about -to sink as I grabbed you."</p> - -<p>There was a silence, broken at last by the youth.</p> - -<p>"My name's Thompson," said he, "and I live in Sausalito."</p> - -<p>"You got on the boat at Tiburon?"</p> - -<p>Thompson was recovering his normal condition by -swift degrees. He flashed a strange look of suspicion -at Matt.</p> - -<p>"Well, yes," he answered. "I've been staying there -for a while; but I live in Sausalito. Give me a cigarette."</p> - -<p>"You've come to the wrong shop for cigarettes, Thompson. -I'm beginning to understand why you couldn't keep -yourself afloat in the water better than you did—too -many paper pipes. They play hob with a fellow's endurance."</p> - -<p>The <i>Sprite</i>, by that time, was abreast of the docks, -and off the unsavory quarter known as the "Barbary -Coast."</p> - -<p>Thompson paid little attention to Matt's remarks, but -fixed his eyes gloomily on the shipping as they glided past.</p> - -<p>There was something at the bottom of Thompson's -mind, and Matt wondered what it could be.</p> - -<p>"I suppose," Thompson continued, tiring of looking at -the ships and the sweating stevedores, "that it's a lucky -thing for me you happened to be around to pick me up."</p> - -<p>"You might call it that," returned Matt dryly.</p> - -<p>He had his back to his passenger, so that he might -pick a berth for the <i>Sprite</i> somewhere in the vicinity of -the foot of Clay Street. When he spoke he did not look -around.</p> - -<p>"Well, I'm obliged to you," proceeded Thompson. "I -guess you needn't take me to Sausalito, after all. I'll -get out and go to a hotel. There's a lot of hotels on -the 'Front.'"</p> - -<p>"Stay away from the hotels on the 'Front,' Thompson; -that's my advice to you. They're not the right sort of -place for a fellow like you to stop, even for a short time."</p> - -<p>"I guess I can take care of myself," was the haughty -rejoinder.</p> - -<p>"I guess you think you can, Thompson. You seem to -have a pretty large opinion of yourself."</p> - -<p>"Are you trying to insult me?"</p> - -<p>"Great spark plugs, no! Why should I want to do -that?"</p> - -<p>"I don't like the way you talk, that's all. You act as -though you didn't believe what I said."</p> - -<p>"That's where your imagination is working overtime. -What is it to me, one way or the other, whether you're -telling the truth or not?"</p> - -<p>Matt saw the berth he was looking for, and turned the -<i>Sprite</i> into the slip. Two minutes later he was alongside -the dock, and had his painter fastened to a post. As he -faced about, after making the painter secure, he saw that -Thompson had gained the dock, and was starting off toward -the street, his feet sluicing around in his wet shoes, -and his trousers slapping about his legs as he walked.</p> - -<p>He was intending to leave without any further talk -with Matt, and the latter leaned against a post and -watched him with half-humorous, half-wondering eyes.</p> - -<p>Before he reached the street, however, McGlory and -Ping Pong dodged around the end of a loaded dray and -came face to face with him.</p> - -<p>McGlory stopped short, and stared. So did Thompson. -Then McGlory jumped forward with a whoop, -countered the half-hearted blow Thompson aimed at him, -and grabbed him around the waist.</p> - -<p>"Sufferin' Joseph!" cried McGlory, "if it ain't Cousin -George! Speak to me about that, will you? Cousin -George Lorry, that I've been bushwhackin' all over -'Frisco to find! Easy, George! You couldn't get away -from me in a thousand years, and you know it. -Whoop-ee, Matt! Come this way, and come a-running!"</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">AN ODD TANGLE.</p> - - -<p>In a flash Motor Matt recalled what McGlory had told -him among the sand dunes beyond the Presidio barracks. -He had described a fellow, about his own heft and height, -whom he named as George Lorry. Could it be that -Matt had picked up the very chap McGlory was looking -for? And McGlory had referred to him as his cousin!</p> - -<p>Matt hurried forward to where the so-called Thompson -was struggling to get away from the cowboy.</p> - -<p>"Hands off of me, McGlory!" panted the bedraggled -youth. "You haven't any right to lay a finger on me, -and you know it!"</p> - -<p>"I haven't, eh?" growled McGlory. "Well, you just -try to bolt, and I'll give you a run for your alley. You're -a pretty specimen, ain't you? Oh, shucks! I'm plumb -disgusted with you, and so's everybody else. What do -you suppose the folks think, back in Madison?"</p> - -<p>There was an exasperated rattle in the other's throat, -but words and strength failed him, all at once, and he -drooped limply in McGlory's arms.</p> - -<p>"He's played out, Joe," said Matt. "Let him sit down -for a minute and rest."</p> - -<p>"What a mess he's made of this business," muttered -McGlory angrily, as he allowed the flabby form he was -holding to slip down on the rough cobblestones. "He -hasn't as much sense as the law allows, and you can -spread your blankets and go to sleep on that."</p> - -<p>"You're positive he's the fellow you were looking for, -Joe?" inquired Matt.</p> - -<p>"Positive? Why, pard, I know him as well as I know -my own picture in the looking-glass. See that scar?" and -he indicated a thin red line over his cousin's right eyebrow. -"I don't need even that to prove who he is," McGlory -added.</p> - -<p>"He told me his name was Thompson, and that he -lived in Sausalito."</p> - -<p>"He's liable to talk anything but straight—<i>now</i>. Let's -get him somewhere to a hotel. Sufferin' sand hills! his -folks would throw a fit if they could see him like this. -His name's George Lorry, and he lives in Madison, Wisconsin. -What's more, he's a cousin of mine, although -that's nothing to congratulate myself about." McGlory -bent down. "Able to walk, George?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," was the sullen rejoinder.</p> - -<p>"Any particular place you'd like to be taken?"</p> - -<p>"Bixler House, around in Kearney Street. Get a cab."</p> - -<p>"Got any money, George?"</p> - -<p>Lorry's hands went slowly into his pockets.</p> - -<p>"All I had with me is in the bottom of the bay," he -answered sulkily.</p> - -<p>"I don't think I can dig up enough to pay for a cab, -but I reckon it's just as well for us to ride."</p> - -<p>"I'll foot the bill," chimed in Matt. "Here, Ping!"</p> - -<p>Ping was almost as hard a sight as was Lorry, but he -came blandly forward in his bare feet.</p> - -<p>"Yasso, Missul Matt," said he.</p> - -<p>"Go and get a cab for us, Ping."</p> - -<p>"Allee light. My workee fo' you," and he darted -away along the street.</p> - -<p>"I thought there was something queer about Lorry," -remarked Matt.</p> - -<p>"It's queerer than you think. Matt," replied McGlory. -"The whole yarn, when you go over it from end to end -and crossways, is enough to make a feller's hair stand -like the fur on a buffalo robe."</p> - -<p>Lorry looked up with a scowl.</p> - -<p>"How did you know where I was?" he demanded.</p> - -<p>"Didn't you buy a ticket to San Francisco?"</p> - -<p>"I bought a ticket to Chicago."</p> - -<p>"And from there, George, you bought one for here. -Think you could fool the wise boys your father had -scramblin' around Chicago lookin' you up? I got a telegram -at Tucson asking me to hustle for 'Frisco, and do -what I could to locate you. I've been in this burg for a -week, and had just about made up my mind you'd taken -a boat for somewhere on t'other side of the Pacific. And -to think you were riding from Tiburon on the same craft -that was carrying me!"</p> - -<p>"I saw you on the boat, and I jumped overboard to get -away from you."</p> - -<p>McGlory went up into the air and came down with an -astounded look at Matt.</p> - -<p>"Say something about that!" he gasped. "Sufferin' -Hottentots, Matt, did you hear him? He jumped overboard -to get away from his cousin, Joe McGlory! Don't -tell me, George!" he growled to Lorry. "You're not -such a fool as that comes to. We're out of the same -family, mind, and I'd hate to think it."</p> - -<p>"You—you don't know everything," faltered Lorry.</p> - -<p>"Keno, I don't; but I'm goin' to know everything, -George Lorry, before we part company."</p> - -<p>All this, of course, was more or less Greek to Motor -Matt. It was clear enough that George Lorry had come -of good stock, and equally clear that he had been pampered -and spoiled. As for the rest of it, Matt was completely -in the dark.</p> - -<p>Just at that moment the cab arrived. As it drew up, -Ping Pong threw open the door and jumped out.</p> - -<p>"My gottee, Missul Matt!" he chirruped. "My workee -fo' you, huh?"</p> - -<p>"For a while, yes, Ping," Matt answered, unable just -then to think of any other satisfactory method for dealing -with the Chinaman. "Stay here and watch the boat -till I come back. Savvy?"</p> - -<p>"Can do," crowed Ping Pong, "you bettee. My workee -fo' Motol Matt. Hoop-a-la!"</p> - -<p>The Chinese boy seemed as delighted as he had been -over in Tiburon, when ticket number 73 won the boat. -He had insisted on working for Matt, and the pleasant -feeling that comes with a job brought a grin to his face -and satisfaction to his soul.</p> - -<p>Matt, McGlory, and Lorry loaded themselves into the -cab, and were driven away in the direction of Kearney -Street.</p> - -<p>"Let's get right down to cases, George," said the cowboy -when they were well on their way. "First off, just -understand that I'm your friend, that I'm representin' the -folks back in Madison, and that I haven't trailed you to -get back those ten thousand plunks."</p> - -<p>With an effort, Lorry braced back in his seat and -pushed the straggling hair out of his eyes.</p> - -<p>"I didn't know what you were after, McGlory," he -answered; "but I wasn't going to be bagged by <i>you</i>. -When I'm ready to go home I'm ready, and not before."</p> - -<p>"Oh, you ain't?" grunted the cowboy sarcastically.</p> - -<p>"That's flat. The folks haven't treated me right, and -they know it. They——"</p> - -<p>"Oh, cut that out," growled McGlory wearily. "Haven't<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> -you got any sense, or are you just half fake and half -false alarm? The trouble with Uncle Dan and Aunt -Mollie is that they've done a heap too much for you. If -you'd had to knock about the mines and cattle ranges, -same as me, earnin' your grub by hard knocks, I reckon -you'd see things a lot different."</p> - -<p>"I know my own business," snapped Lorry. "You -haven't been in Madison for a year, Joe McGlory, and -you don't know how the old man has been rubbing my -fur the wrong way. I told him I wouldn't stand for it—and -I didn't."</p> - -<p>"You're a pill!" snorted McGlory, in a temper.</p> - -<p>"What's more," pursued Lorry, in a temper that -matched his cousin's, "I'm not going to take any insolence -from you. You're nothing but a rowdy, anyhow. Your -father was a rowdy——"</p> - -<p>McGlory leaned over and dropped a hard hand on -Lorry's knee.</p> - -<p>"That'll do you, my buck," said he, his low voice ringing -like steel. "While my father was alive he had my respect, -and I did what he told me to. What's more, he -steered me plumb right. He didn't have the money your -father had, but that wasn't his fault. As for the rest, -just remember that my mother was your mother's sister. -Whenever I go to that hill, just out of Tucson, where -those two mounds are heaped up, side by side, I can stand -between 'em and say, with a clear conscience, that I'm -livin' square. In my place, George Lorry, you couldn't -do that, and you know it."</p> - -<p>McGlory's eyes flashed, and, on the instant, the liking -Matt had already conceived for the cowboy intensified -into a fast and enduring friendship. Joe McGlory had -character, and the right kind of an outlook upon life.</p> - -<p>At that moment the cab came to a halt.</p> - -<p>"Here's the place," announced McGlory, pushing open -the door, "and a fine old honkatonk it is. I've been to -this place huntin' for you. Wonder why I didn't find -you?"</p> - -<p>"Probably," was the sarcastic comment of Lorry, "you -didn't ask for Thompson."</p> - -<p>Matt paid the driver of the cab, and then followed McGlory -and his cousin into the dilapidated building. A -frowsy-looking clerk bestirred himself and leaned over -the counter, his curious gaze centring on Lorry.</p> - -<p>"Gee Christopher!" he exclaimed, "is that you, Mr. -Thompson?"</p> - -<p>"Give me the key to my room," snarled Lorry.</p> - -<p>The key was handed over, and Lorry led the way out -of the room and up a flight of narrow stairs. A hall -was traversed, and near the end of it Lorry unlocked a -door, and bolted across the threshold. McGlory rushed -after him, and when Matt stepped into the bare little -room, the cowboy was jerking a revolver out of his -cousin's hand. The drawer of a bureau, at one side of -the room, was open.</p> - -<p>"Now what do you think!" cried McGlory, whirling -away and pushing the revolver into his pocket. "He -yanked this pepper box out of that drawer, Matt, and -turned it on himself. With all his highfalutin' airs, that -cousin o' mine hasn't got the backbone of a jellyfish. -Look at him! Did you ever see any one of his age and -size with less manliness in his make-up?"</p> - -<p>Matt turned and looked at Lorry. The next moment -Lorry stumbled to the bed and fell on it at full length, -burying his face in the pillow.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">THE RICH MAN'S SON.</p> - - -<p>"Blubbering!" muttered McGlory, with a look of profound -disgust. "I might overlook his attempt to shake -a cartridge into himself, but this baby act is too much -for me."</p> - -<p>George Lorry was a puzzle to Motor Matt. And all -Matt had overheard between McGlory and Lorry had -only made the puzzle more perplexing.</p> - -<p>"Don't be too hard on him, Joe," said Matt. "There -must be something pretty serious at the bottom of this -or Lorry wouldn't have tried to shoot himself."</p> - -<p>"<i>Did</i> he try," asked McGlory darkly, "or was it only -a bluff?"</p> - -<p>"According to his story, he jumped off the ferryboat -to get away from you. That alone proves he was desperate."</p> - -<p>"Maybe he was talking with two tongues when he said -that."</p> - -<p>Matt stepped over to the side of the room.</p> - -<p>"Why did he leave Madison, Joe?" he asked in a low -voice, as soon as McGlory had joined him.</p> - -<p>"He got to be more than Uncle Dan could handle. -You see, pard, Uncle Dan's money runs up into seven figures, -and George corralled the notion that whenever he -wanted anything all he had to do was to order it sent up -to the house. He joined a yacht club, and wanted to -put a motor boat in a race, so what does he do but order -a five-thousand-dollar racer, and drew on dad. Dad -lands on the proposition with both feet, and little George -over there is so mad he sulks in his room for a week, -then he chases himself out of the house, and trots a heat -with a swift bunch of thoroughbreds, who spend their -time gamblin' and drinkin'. George does that, you know, -just to show how mad he is; but dad's dander is up -good and plenty, and he vows he'll send George to a military -academy, where they'll straighten the kinks out of -him or else break him in two. George was more worked -up over the military school than he was over the racing -boat, so he opens dad's safe one night, takes out ten -thousand in cold cash, and slips away from Madison between -two days.</p> - -<p>"Uncle Dan is a pretty good sort of fellow, although -he never did anything for the McGlorys—not so you -could notice it. He writes me all this that I've been tellin' -you, Matt, and says that, if I see anything of George, -will I please rope down, and tie him, and wire. The -day after I get the letter, along comes a telegram saying -George went to Chicago and bought a ticket for 'Frisco, -and asking me to hit only the high places between Tucson -and the Golden Gate. I went, and I've been here a week, -walkin' my boot soles off, and askin' questions till I was -blue in the face—but nothing doing. I got the notion that -George had used his ten thousand for a trip to furrin -parts, and so I was just beginning to cut loose on my own -account and enjoy the boats when you and I came together, -and this business of the <i>Sprite</i> was pushed into -the grooves. If it hadn't been for you and the <i>Sprite</i>, -pard, I'd never have found George. Now that I have -found him, what am I going to do with him? Speak to -me about that. I'd like to unload a little of the responsibility -onto you."</p> - -<p>"He's spoiled," observed Matt, after a little reflection; -"and that's a cinch."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Oh, no, he ain't spoiled!" scoffed McGlory. "He's -just mildewed with conceit and cobwebbed with ideas of -his own importance. Back of all that, he's got about as -much s-a-n-d as a gopher. He's over there now leaking -great big briny tears like a Piute squaw who's been -caught stealin' a string of glass beads. Wonder if he -thinks he can melt <i>me</i>?"</p> - -<p>McGlory's black eyes glittered as they wandered to the -heaving form on the bed.</p> - -<p>"You'd think he was seven instead of seventeen," he -grunted.</p> - -<p>"There may be something in him, Joe," suggested -Matt, "for all that."</p> - -<p>"There ain't anything in him worth while—you -couldn't find it with a mikerscope."</p> - -<p>"Let's give him a chance, anyhow."</p> - -<p>"Chance? I'm willing. But what's the number? And -how you going to play it?"</p> - -<p>"Your first move is to get hold of that ten thousand. -He doesn't seem to have it with him, and it may be that -he's feeling cut up because he gambled with the money, -and lost it. If you can't get the money, then find out -where it is. Don't go at him hammer and tongs, but use -a little tact."</p> - -<p>McGlory grinned.</p> - -<p>"Smooth him down with a piece of velvet, eh?" he -queried. "Dust him off with a few sweet words, and -gently lift him back on the pedestal where he's already -stood for more years than have been good for him. Not -me, pard. Anyhow, I'm short on tact. You do it."</p> - -<p>Matt laughed a little as he looked at the cowboy and -listened to him. It was plain that Matt's sympathy for -George wasn't appreciated, and that if any diplomacy was -used it was Matt who would have to use it.</p> - -<p>Without further words Matt walked over to the bed -and pulled up a chair.</p> - -<p>"George," said he, "we're friends of yours, and we -want to help you. Everybody makes a mistake now and -then, and you've made a big one, but there's no use fretting -about it. That ten thousand is the principal thing. -If we can get hold of that, you'll be able to work out of -this thing in good shape, and perhaps we can fix it so -you can return to Madison and cut a better figure there -than when you left the town."</p> - -<p>"I don't want to go back to Madison," came the muffled -reply from the pillow. "The governor has treated -me like a dog, and I've washed my hands of him."</p> - -<p>"Suppose we could arrange matters so the governor -would treat you better?"</p> - -<p>"You can't," snuffled George; "nobody can. The governor's -a brute."</p> - -<p>"I think we can make your father see things in a different -light," went on Matt; "but the first thing to do is -to send back that money."</p> - -<p>George jammed his head deeper into the pillow.</p> - -<p>"I haven't got it," he whispered.</p> - -<p>"You must have done a lot of gambling to——"</p> - -<p>"No, I didn't. It was stolen from me. The red-whiskered -man with a mole on his face took it."</p> - -<p>"How was that? Turn over here, George, so we can -hear you."</p> - -<p>"That's all there is to it," declared George, lifting his -face a little so his words were more distinct. "I met him, -and Kinky, and Ross on the train. I thought they were -nice, sociable fellows; but that's where I made a mistake. -They got on the train at Salt Lake City, and when we -reached 'Frisco they got me to come to this hotel. The -red-whiskered man had business over in Tiburon—I don't -know what it was—and he went over there the next day -after we reached 'Frisco, and lost his trunk check. They -wouldn't let him have the trunk without the check, and -he was awfully worked up. Kinky told Red-whiskers -that maybe I had swiped the check, and they all seemed -to believe it. Anyhow, Red-whiskers said the trunk was -worth more'n ten thousand and they made me turn over -that money I'd brought from home. Red-whiskers said -that when I found the check, or when he proved his -property and made the railroad company give up his -trunk, he'd give me back the money. I went over to -Tiburon, the next day, myself, and when I got back -here, Kinky, Ross, and the other fellow had left. I've -been going over to Tiburon every day since, but I -couldn't find the check or hear anything about it. And -I haven't heard anything about Red-whiskers, either. -He and his two pals have stolen the money, that's what -they've done. I was an easy mark, and—and—what's -the good of living, anyhow?"</p> - -<p>George jammed his head down into the pillow again.</p> - -<p>This strange recital left Matt and McGlory gasping. -It was clear that George had fallen into the hands of -sharpers, and had been robbed, but there was that baggage -check Matt had picked up near the little Tiburon -wharf. That looked as though there might be something -in the yarn Red-whiskers had told about losing the -check.</p> - -<p>"Well, speak to me about this!" breathed McGlory. -"That check you found, pard, may be the very one this -chap with the auburn wind teasers lost! Wouldn't that -knock you slabsided? Sufferin' jew's-harps! Why, I -never heard anythin' to match it. Fate is workin' you -into this game for fair."</p> - -<p>Lorry hoisted himself up suddenly on the bed.</p> - -<p>"Did you find a trunk check over in Tiburon?" he -demanded.</p> - -<p>"Yes," replied Matt, and took the flat piece of brass -from his pocket.</p> - -<p>"By Jove!" exclaimed Lorry. "It would be a big load -off my mind if that check could be used for getting back -the money. Light the gas, McGlory."</p> - -<p>It was falling dark outside, and the cowboy scratched -a match and touched the flame to a jet. As soon as the -light was going, Lorry took the check in his own hands -and looked it over exultantly. Then, abruptly, he -jumped for the bed and rushed toward a suit case that -lay on a chair.</p> - -<p>"What are you going to do, George?" inquired -McGlory.</p> - -<p>"Get into some dry clothes and then hunt for Red-whiskers. -This means a whole lot to me. I'm going -to Honolulu, and I need that ten thousand."</p> - -<p>"Don't be in a rush, Lorry," said Matt. "Was there -just ten thousand in the roll? Didn't you use any of -it?"</p> - -<p>"Not a cent! I had enough to get me to 'Frisco, and -pay a few other expenses, aside from that. And it wasn't -a roll; it was a packet with a band around the middle -stamped with the name of the Merchants' and Traders' -Bank, of Madison. Jupiter, but this is a good clue, -and——"</p> - -<p>Some one rapped on the door. McGlory answered -the summons and found the frowsy-looking clerk and a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> -boy of about nine in the hall. The clerk pushed the boy -forward and pointed to Motor Matt.</p> - -<p>"That's him," said the clerk, "an' I'll bet money."</p> - -<p>"You Motor Matt?" queried the boy, rushing into the -room.</p> - -<p>"Yes," answered Matt.</p> - -<p>"Den dis here's fer you. Dere's an answer, an' I'll -wait fer it."</p> - -<p>The boy handed over an envelope. Matt opened the -envelope and read the inclosure. A strange light leaped -into his gray eyes.</p> - -<p>"Who gave you this, my lad?" he asked of the boy.</p> - -<p>"Dunno de cove, but he had red lilocks an' a face like -er ape."</p> - -<p>"Well, I'm not giving him anything till he proves his -property, see? You tell him that. Also tell him that I -won't meet him in Turk Bremer's Place, but will be at -the foot of Clay Street in half an hour. Understand?"</p> - -<p>"Sure thing," grinned the boy.</p> - -<p>Matt snapped a quarter into the air and the boy -grabbed it and made off.</p> - -<p>"What's it all about, pard?" asked McGlory.</p> - -<p>"Did you tell anybody in Tiburon about my finding -that trunk check, Joe?" asked Matt.</p> - -<p>"I told the galoot that bossed the raffle."</p> - -<p>"Then that explains it," muttered Matt. "Listen."</p> - -<p>Thereupon he read the note aloud.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"'<span class="smcap">Motor Matt</span>: Several days ago I lost a baggage -check somewhere in Tiburon, and a couple of hours ago -I was told that you had found one there. It's a cinch -it's mine. Give it to the boy; or, if my bare word that -it belongs to me isn't enough, then come to Turk -Bremer's Place on the "Front" in half an hour and I'll -prove property.</p> - -<p class="sig"> -<span class="smcap">John Smith.</span>'"<br /> -</p></blockquote> - -<p>McGlory fell back in his chair. Lorry, with a startled -exclamation, grabbed the note out of Matt's hand to look -at it for himself.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">A PLAN THAT FAILED.</p> - - -<p>Motor Matt was as profoundly surprised at the way -matters were falling out as were McGlory and Lorry. -As McGlory had said, fate seemed to have selected Matt -for the particular work of recovering Lorry's money.</p> - -<p>"This is luck!" whispered Lorry. "If you can get -back that money for me, Motor Matt, I'll give you five -dollars."</p> - -<p>"Don't strain yourself, George," grinned McGlory.</p> - -<p>"I will," declared Lorry. "But you've got to get it -back to-night. There's a boat for the Sandwich Islands -to-morrow, and that's the one I was planning to take."</p> - -<p>"You're not going to emigrate, George," asserted -McGlory. "We need you right here in the United States -for a spell yet."</p> - -<p>Matt gave the cowboy a swift and expressive look.</p> - -<p>"I think, Joe," said he, "that Lorry has been dictated -to too much. Leave him alone and let him make his -plans."</p> - -<p>McGlory stared incredulously.</p> - -<p>"That's the talk," expanded Lorry, puffing up like an -angry tomtit. "I'd been bossed altogether more than -was right or necessary. From this on I'm my own -master. You've got a little sense, Motor Matt. I give -you credit for that, anyhow."</p> - -<p>"Thanks," answered Matt, with an irony so slight -Lorry let it get past him. "Will you stay right here in -this hotel while Joe and I are getting the money for -you?"</p> - -<p>"Sure, I will! But I want it to-night."</p> - -<p>"We'll get it as quick as we can. Red-whiskers, -otherwise John Smith, may not have it about him, so it -may be some time before we can lay hands on it."</p> - -<p>Lorry's face fell at this.</p> - -<p>"You'll get it, though, won't you? You've got to get -it. Do that for me and I'll give you five dollars apiece."</p> - -<p>"Fine!" rumbled McGlory, with a wink at Matt. "If -George's generosity ever strikes in it'll bother him worse -than the measles. How did Red-whiskers know we were -here, pard?"</p> - -<p>"Probably he traced us through the <i>Sprite</i>," answered -Matt. "He found the launch at the foot of Clay Street, -and Ping must have heard us tell the cab driver to drive -us to the Bixler House. Ping, of course, told the fellow."</p> - -<p>"And he sent the boy with a note, knowing it wasn't -healthy to come himself!" crowed McGlory, slapping his -hands. "The old rooster didn't know how we had -tangled up with George—Ping didn't tell him that."</p> - -<p>"We haven't much time to work our plan, Joe," said -Matt, starting for the door. "You'll stay right here -Lorry, until you hear from us?"</p> - -<p>"Of course," answered Lorry. "All I want is that -money. Get it so I can sail for Honolulu to-morrow."</p> - -<p>"We'll do the best we can," replied Matt, as he and -McGlory left the room and the hotel.</p> - -<p>"You've got me guessing good and plenty, pard," said -the cowboy, while he and Matt hurried toward the water -front and the foot of Clay Street. "It wouldn't be right -to let George pull out for furrin parts."</p> - -<p>"Of course not!" answered Matt.</p> - -<p>"But you told him——"</p> - -<p>"That he had been dictated to too much. You see, -Joe, I wanted to reassure him, as much as I could, so -he'd be sure and stay at the hotel. After we recover the -money we can do with that cousin of yours whatever we -think best."</p> - -<p>"That's you! Shucks! Now, I reckon, you understand -how much tact I've got. But George—say, ain't -he the limit? But he'll not be absent a whole lot at the -wind-up, I can promise you that. I'm in this to help -Uncle Dan and Aunt Mollie, and you can bet your moccasins -that what George wants or don't want won't cut -much of a figure in the final scramble. But, tell me: -Do things always come your way, like this? As this -business opens up more and more, the strangeness of it -makes my skin get up and walk over me with cold feet."</p> - -<p>"Well," laughed Matt, "just so you don't get 'cold -feet' yourself."</p> - -<p>McGlory chuckled.</p> - -<p>"I come from a country," said he, "where it's too hot -for chilblains. But what's the plan?"</p> - -<p>"We'll get a policeman," answered Matt, "and have -him keep in the background while we're talking with -Red-whiskers. As soon as we're sure he's the man we -want, we'll signal for the officer to come forward and -take him in tow."</p> - -<p>"Keno! We'll let the law juggle with Red-whiskers.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> -But wouldn't it have been better to let the law get in its -work at Turk Bremer's? There'd be plenty of light -there so we could see what's doing."</p> - -<p>"Those dives on the 'Front' are dangerous places, Joe, -and it's well for us to leave them alone. As it is, we'd -better walk in the middle of the road when we get to -Clay Street."</p> - -<p>"Surely, surely. I reckon your head's as level as they -make 'em. How am I for a pard, anyhow?"</p> - -<p>"A One," said Matt heartily.</p> - -<p>"Shake!" cried McGlory, and they stopped to seal -their friendship with a cordial grip.</p> - -<p>When close to the "Front" they encountered a policeman -and told him as much as necessary in order to get -him to lend a helping hand.</p> - -<p>"If we're going to make an arrest," demurred the officer, -"we ought to have a warrant."</p> - -<p>"There's no time for that, officer," said Matt.</p> - -<p>"Well, let me see that note this chap you call Red-whiskers -sent by the boy."</p> - -<p>Matt passed it over, and the policemen withdrew into -the glare of a street lamp to read it.</p> - -<p>"This here is pretty good evidence that you're handin' -me a straight story," said the officer, returning the note, -"but I'm a gopher if I'd help you on such a showing if -it wasn't that you're Motor Matt. Your picture was in -the papers"—here he gave Matt a swift sizing—"and -there's no doubt but you're the fellow. Heave ahead, -and don't pay any attention to me. When I'm needed -just yell 'Come on!' and I'll be in the game before you -can say scat."</p> - -<p>Matt and McGlory continued on, taking the middle of -the street until they reached the "Front." Here, as they -passed along the docks with their masses of shipping, -they kept a sharp watch for the man they were seeking. -For some distance they followed the docks without success, -passing the dozing form of Ping Pong curled up -at the foot of the post to which the <i>Sprite</i> was moored. -Ping did not see them, and they did not let him know -they were passing.</p> - -<p>"The Chink stacks up pretty well for a heathen," -commented McGlory; "and he's bound to go on your -pay roll, Matt, whether you want him or not. If he was -any——"</p> - -<p>"Hist!" warned Matt, his quick eye observing a dark -figure emerging from the shadows on the right.</p> - -<p>The form came close and halted in front of the two -boys, not far from a flickering light. It was the form of -a tall man, in a slouch hat and dark, respectable clothes. -He had a beaklike nose and red whiskers, but it was -too dark for the boys to see the mole mentioned by -Lorry. However, there was no doubt about his being -the man.</p> - -<p>"Motor Matt?" inquired the stranger briefly.</p> - -<p>"Yes," replied Matt.</p> - -<p>"Well, I'm the man that wants the trunk check. The -railroad people won't let me have the trunk unless I pass -over that brass tag. Mighty accommodatin' set, I must -say."</p> - -<p>"Is your name John Smith?"</p> - -<p>"Didn't I put that to the note?" demanded the other. -"What's that got to do with it, anyhow?"</p> - -<p>"Not much, but I'd like to have you tell me where -Ross and Kinky are, and——"</p> - -<p>The fellow muttered an oath and jumped back. His -hand, at the same instant, darted toward his hip pocket.</p> - -<p>Matt had mentioned "Ross" and "Kinky" merely to -make assurance doubly sure. The man's actions proved -that he was one of the three thieves, and that he had -come prepared for anything that might develop to his -disadvantage.</p> - -<p>McGlory, watching Red-whiskers like a hawk, jumped -for him and grabbed the hand that was reaching for his -hip. Matt likewise jumped forward.</p> - -<p>"Come on!" he cried to the officer.</p> - -<p>A tramp of running feet was heard—but the sounds -came from two directions, from behind the red-whiskered -man and also back of Matt and McGlory.</p> - -<p>Another moment and Matt saw two figures leaping -out of the heavy shadow. One of them came on toward -the place where the boys were struggling with Red-whiskers -and the other turned aside and set upon the -policeman. Matt heard a scuffle, a sound of angry -voices, and then a <i>thump</i> as of a savage blow.</p> - -<p>Before he could draw a full breath, a heavy fist had -struck him in the shoulder and thrown him reeling backward.</p> - -<p>"It's a fall!" panted a husky voice. "Cut for it, on the -double quick. The launch—it's the only thing for us."</p> - -<p>Three figures leaped away along the docks. They -were the three men, Red-whiskers, Kinky, and Ross—for, -in Matt's mind, it was clear that the two latter had -been in hiding, waiting to help their pal if he needed it.</p> - -<p>The suggestion about the launch aroused Matt's fears -for the <i>Sprite</i>. He started toward the place where the -launch was moored, but halted when he saw the three -men vanishing in another direction.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">A CHASE ACROSS THE BAY.</p> - - -<p>The suddenness with which the red-whiskered man's -accomplices had interfered with Motor Matt's plan, and -caused it to fail, was as startling as it was unexpected. -Matt, standing back toward the edge of the dock with a -thumping pain in his shoulder, felt a spasm of chagrin -and disappointment.</p> - -<p>McGlory picked himself up, assisted the policeman to -his feet, and both came toward Matt. The policeman -was rubbing his head, and seemed dazed.</p> - -<p>"Sufferin' snakes!" exclaimed McGlory. "I'm trying -to figure out what happened. Who were the other two -that blew in on us, pard, just as we had everything our -own way?"</p> - -<p>"They must have been Kinky and Ross," replied Matt.</p> - -<p>"Who are they?" demanded the officer.</p> - -<p>"Two pals of this red-whiskered man. He probably -had them waiting in the background, just as we had you -waiting to help us, officer."</p> - -<p>"This ain't the last of this!" cried the officer hotly. -"Which way did they go?"</p> - -<p>Matt indicated the direction. The officer started off -at a run, tugging at his pocket.</p> - -<p>"Why don't you come along?" he demanded over his -shoulder.</p> - -<p>"One of them said something about getting away in a -launch," returned Matt. "I didn't know but it was a -boat that I have here, and I think it's well to stand -around and see if they come back."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I'll see where the scoundrels go, anyhow," said the -officer, and vanished at a rapid pace.</p> - -<p>"Are you hurt, Joe?" inquired Matt.</p> - -<p>"My feelin's are badly injured," answered the cowboy. -"The rap I got on the block don't count for much, -although it was enough to drop me, right where I stood. -They're a fine lot, those galoots. I reckon, it's a cinch -that they're the chaps we want—and the ones we won't -get. George will weep some more when he hears about -it."</p> - -<p>"Listen!" said Matt.</p> - -<p>The exhaust of an engine struck on his ears, faintly -but distinctly. It came from somewhere to the south of -the place where he and McGlory were standing.</p> - -<p>"What is it, pard?" queried the cowboy.</p> - -<p>"A boat! Didn't you hear Red-whiskers speak about -a launch?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, but I reckoned it was the <i>Sprite</i> he meant, and -that he changed his mind when he saw you hustling to -get between him and the boat."</p> - -<p>"It wasn't the <i>Sprite</i>, but another launch, and—— Ah, -see that!"</p> - -<p>Matt pointed into the darkness to the southward. A -light could be seen moving around the end of a slip, -gliding across the dark water like a star.</p> - -<p>"There they go!" cried McGlory excitedly.</p> - -<p>"This way, Joe," called Matt, whirling and running -toward the <i>Sprite</i>. "Hurry!"</p> - -<p>The Chinese boy was still dozing by the post, the -noise caused by the recent scrimmage not having been -sufficiently loud to disturb him. He was on his feet, -however, the instant Matt dropped a hand on his shoulder.</p> - -<p>"You Motor Matt?" palpitated Ping. "You wantee——"</p> - -<p>"Cast off the rope, Ping," cut in Matt, sliding from -the edge of the dock into the boat. "Quick! Get -in behind, Joe," he added to McGlory. "We haven't an -instant to lose."</p> - -<p>"Well, hardly," answered the cowboy, scrambling -aboard while Matt started the engine. "Time's plenty -scarce for us if we're to overhaul that other boat."</p> - -<p>The painter fell into the boat and Ping fell along -with it.</p> - -<p>"I didn't intend to take you, Ping," said Matt, switching -the power into the propeller and turning the nose -of the <i>Sprite</i> toward the open bay.</p> - -<p>"By Klismus," said Ping, with unexpected firmness, -"my workee fo' you! Where you makee go, my makee -go, allee same. Me plenty fine China boy."</p> - -<p>"Got any sand, Ping?" asked McGlory.</p> - -<p>"Have got. Fightee allee same like Sam Hill. -Whoosh! Plenty big high China boy, allee same Boxer. -You watchee, Motol Matt watchee. My workee heap -fine fo' Motol Matt. Workee, fightee—him allee same."</p> - -<p>While this brief cross-fire was going on between -McGlory and Ping, Matt was driving the <i>Sprite</i> down -the slip for all she was worth. The water slithered up -along her sharp bow and flung itself in spray over the -crouching forms of the cowboy and the Chinese. The -launch, because of the weight aft, was very much down -by the stern; but this, by throwing the bow high, helped -the boat to slip over the water.</p> - -<p>After dropping from the dock into the launch Matt -had not seen the moving light until, when he was halfway -out of the slip, the little gleam danced across the -open space between the outer ends of the two piers.</p> - -<p>"Great spark plugs!" muttered Matt, "that's the other -boat."</p> - -<p>"She's going north!" exclaimed McGlory.</p> - -<p>"Which makes it easy for us to pick up her trail and -follow. If she had gone south, she might have got -away from us."</p> - -<p>"She's rippin' along like an express train," murmured -the cowboy, watching the light vanish around the end of -the pier.</p> - -<p>"She's not speedy enough to leave the <i>Sprite</i> behind," -exulted Matt, his nerves quivering in unison with the -little tremors the humming cylinders sent through the -boat.</p> - -<p>"If those tinhorns see us, pard——"</p> - -<p>"They won't. We're not carrying any lights, and I'm -surprised to see them with one."</p> - -<p>"Mebby they can hear us if they can't see us."</p> - -<p>"We'll have to drop behind far enough so they won't -hear us. Their own boat makes twice as much noise as -the <i>Sprite</i>, and that will drown the throb of our exhaust -and the whir of the cylinders."</p> - -<p>Just then the <i>Sprite</i> dashed out of the black maw of -the slip, wheeled in a foamy arc and turned her nose -northward. There were many lights in the bay—red and -green side lamps and white masthead lights, and others, -but Matt was not confused. The white gleam straight -to northward was the one he knew he should follow.</p> - -<p>A lightish streak surged in the wake of the other -launch. Matt could not make out much about the craft -except that she was considerably larger than the <i>Sprite</i> -and had a canvas or wooden canopy over the cockpit.</p> - -<p>But the <i>Sprite</i> was the faster boat. Matt, studying -the distance that separated the <i>Sprite</i> from the launch -ahead, found it necessary to choke down the motor in -order to keep from overhauling the three thieves.</p> - -<p>"I thought you wanted to catch them," complained -McGlory, conscious of the lessening speed.</p> - -<p>"What good would it do for us to overhaul them out -in the bay?" queried Matt, humping over the wheel and -speaking without turning his head. "There are three of -the scoundrels, and they're armed and would probably -be only too glad to have us tackle them. If Red-whiskers -could lay me by the heels, you know, he'd get his -trunk check."</p> - -<p>"Correct, pard. It wouldn't do to run alongside of -them in the bay. But what're you thinking of?"</p> - -<p>"We're just shadowing them to find out where they -go. When we discover that, we'll hold a council and -decide what's to be done next."</p> - -<p>"Waugh!" sputtered McGlory. "Queerest ever that -I can't ride on the water without getting a gone feeling -in the pit of my stomach."</p> - -<p>"Have you got it now, Joe?"</p> - -<p>"Awful. If I had any supper aboard, I reckon I'd -unload. And I can go through all kinds of rough -weather on a buckin' bronk! No matter how much a -bronk pitches, or bucks, it never makes me squeamish—but -boats! Well, the minute I get into one I begin to -have cramps. Funny, ain't it? They got a fake boat -in a picture gallery in Tucson, and if a galoot wants a -tin type of himself, at sea, he gets into the fake boat and -lets the camera snap. Honest to Mack, every time I go -to that place for a tin type I get seasick."</p> - -<p>Matt laughed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p> - -<p>"And yet you like boats!" he exclaimed.</p> - -<p>"Achin' for 'em all the time. It's human nature to -be contrary with yourself, I—— Sufferin' centipedes! -I'm an Injun if that other boat isn't making for Tiburon."</p> - -<p>"I don't think so, Joe," said Matt. "There's a place -around the point that's called Belvedere Cove. The -other boat is either going to put in there or else go -farther up the bay. We can tell in a minute."</p> - -<p>A little later Matt announced that the other launch -had doubled the point and put into the Cove. For a -brief space the point of land hid the larger launch from -the eyes of those in the <i>Sprite</i>; but, as the <i>Sprite</i> pushed -around the point, a multitude of lights burst suddenly -on the gaze of her passengers—stationary lights they -were, with the exception of one that was gliding among -them like a shooting star.</p> - -<p>"Tell me about that!" muttered McGlory, standing up -for a better look. "The surface of the cove looks like a -town. Where are all those lamps?"</p> - -<p>"On houseboats, Joe," replied Matt. "The tide-water -inlets, in and about San Francisco Bay, are full of -house boats at this season of the year. That's the other -launch—that moving light, over there."</p> - -<p>McGlory continued to stand up, bracing himself with -a hold on Ping's pigtail, which happened to be the most -convenient thing handy.</p> - -<p>The <i>Sprite</i>, keeping to the trail of the moving white -gleam, darted in and out among the house boats. From -many of the anchored boats came sounds of mirth, -music, and gay talk. Some one, on an ungainly craft -which the <i>Sprite</i> passed within a short fathom, shouted a -warning for Matt to put out a light. This warning, of -course, could not be heeded, and the little launch foamed -onward out of earshot.</p> - -<p>Suddenly Matt shut off the power and brought the -boat to a halt.</p> - -<p>"The other launch has tied up alongside a house boat, -Joe," he announced, "and we're at the end of our trail. -What shall we do? Go to Tiburon after a policeman or -two or go on with the work ourselves?"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">THE LION'S MOUTH.</p> - - -<p>McGlory made a survey of the surface of the water -directly in front of the <i>Sprite</i>. A hundred feet away -was a large house boat, with the launch snugged up close -to its side. The house boat was of the ordinary two-deck -variety, the upper deck covered with an awning. A -short staff extended upward from the highest point of -the boat and supported the riding light. While the cowboy -was looking, a light flashed in the windows of the -house boat's cabin and then settled into a steady gleam.</p> - -<p>"I'm not one of those ducks who wear a sixteen collar -and a number five hat, pard," observed McGlory, as -he dropped back on the thwart, "but, at the same time, -what you've thrown up to me takes more sense than I've -got to decide. If we leave here and chase over to -Tiburon after a few policemen, these birds we're after -may fly the coop while we're gone. Then, taking it -t'other way around, if we go ahead on our own hook -we may make another bobble like that we got tangled up -with at the foot of Clay Street. Those tinhorns are -heeled, and you can chalk that up good and big; so, if -us longhorns go prancing in there and begin pawing for -trouble, the result looks like a cinch—for Brick-whiskers -and the trunk check. You say what we're to do."</p> - -<p>"I don't think we could accomplish much by coming -company-front with those fellows and demanding Lorry's -ten thousand dollars," said Matt. "As a matter of fact, -we don't know whether they have the money with them, -or whether they've spent it, or whether they've left it -somewhere ashore."</p> - -<p>"They've got it in their clothes, Matt, I'll gamble on -that. When these tinhorns freeze to a roll of that size, -they keep it handy and quiet."</p> - -<p>Matt flashed a look at the house boat.</p> - -<p>"They seem to be the only ones aboard the house -boat," said he, "and they're evidently having a talk in the -cabin. I believe we'll run alongside the other launch -and then I'll leave you and Ping to watch the <i>Sprite</i> -while I do a little reconnoitring."</p> - -<p>"Meaning," added McGlory, "to get right in among -'em, big as life, and run the risk of having them put -the kibosh on you?"</p> - -<p>"It's not much risk, Joe, if I'm at all careful."</p> - -<p>"Mebby not, but what's the good?"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps I can find out something of importance -about the money."</p> - -<p>"You're putting your head in the lion's mouth. If the -mouth should happen to close——" McGlory finished -with a shrug and a gurgle. "Speak to me about that!"</p> - -<p>"If that should happen," said Matt, "I'll have you and -Ping to fall back on."</p> - -<p>"Don't fall too hard, that's all."</p> - -<p>Matt started up the motor again, proceeding slowly -and as noiselessly as he could. McGlory went forward -over the hood of the motor and prepared to make the -<i>Sprite's</i> painter fast to the larger launch.</p> - -<p>The noise of the motor did not arouse any one in the -cabin—at least, no doors were opened and no one showed -himself on the house boat.</p> - -<p>Shutting off the power as soon as the <i>Sprite</i> had gathered -headway enough to carry her to the other launch, -Matt lay over the wheel and watched while McGlory -leaned out and gripped the upright supporting the -canopy over the cockpit of the larger boat. Then, pulling -the <i>Sprite</i> along hand over hand, the cowboy came to -the bow and made the painter fast to an iron ring.</p> - -<p>A mumble of voices could be heard coming from the -cabin of the house boat. When all was fast, McGlory -came back and got down off the hood.</p> - -<p>"How'd it be if I went with you, Matt?" he whispered.</p> - -<p>"A good deal worse, Joe, than for me to go it alone," -was Matt's equally guarded reply. "One can crawl -around, and be more quiet about it, than two."</p> - -<p>"Keno."</p> - -<p>"Mebby so my makee go with Motol Matt," murmured -Ping, who, for the most part of that trip across -the bay, had been content to use his eyes and ears and -let his tongue rest.</p> - -<p>Every move Matt made about the machinery had been -watched by the Chinese, and so intently that he had not -complained when McGlory used his queue for a support -while standing up in the boat.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p> - -<p>"That <i>would</i> fix things," muttered the cowboy. "Why, -you little rat-eater, you'd get Matt into more trouble -than he could take care of. You'll stay right here with -me, and that shot goes as it lays."</p> - -<p>"Awri," whispered Ping meekly.</p> - -<p>Matt went forward on hands and knees. In getting up -to step from one boat to the other, the name of the larger -boat stood out clearly under the falling rays of the lamp. -She was the <i>San Bruno</i>. The young motorist made -mental note of the name, for it might be of value in catching -Red-whiskers and his pals in case the work of the night -proved useless.</p> - -<p>Crossing the forward deck of the <i>San Bruno</i>, Matt -stepped easily to the passage that ran along the side of -the house boat's cabin. Then, on all fours, he crawled to -the window through which came the glow of light.</p> - -<p>Rising up cautiously, he peered into the cabin. The -three men were there, seated on the cushioned benches -that ran along the sides of the little room. All were -smoking cigars, and the air was thick with the vapor. -The rascals had thrown off their hats and removed their -coats, so Matt had a good chance to study their evil faces.</p> - -<p>Red-whiskers' mole was in plain evidence, but it could -hardly be called a disfigurement, as the face itself was -brutal and mercenary in every line.</p> - -<p>The other two men were of like calibre, if their -features could be relied upon. They were talking, but it -was impossible for Matt to overhear what they were saying. -From their earnestness, however, it seemed plain -that an important topic was being discussed.</p> - -<p>Presently, as Matt continued to look, Red-whiskers -bent down and pulled a satchel out from under the bench -on which he sat. The other two craned their necks -toward him as he took the satchel on his knees and -opened it.</p> - -<p>Shoving one hand into the bag, the red-whiskered man -removed a thick packet of banknotes and held it up. The -packet was encircled by a paper band, and Matt's heart -thumped sharply against his ribs as he realized that this -was certainly the money stolen from Lorry.</p> - -<p>While the red-whiskered man held the packet in his -hand, the other two talked to him. They appeared to be -pleading or arguing, Matt could not decide which.</p> - -<p>Abruptly the money was dropped back into the bag -and the bag shoved under the bench once more, the red-whiskered -man shaking his head as he straightened up on -his seat.</p> - -<p>"They wanted him to divide it, and he refused," was -the thought that ran through Matt's head.</p> - -<p>This was followed by another idea, whose audacity -caused Matt to catch his breath.</p> - -<p>Wouldn't it be possible to take the satchel out of the -cabin? If Matt could get the money, he would be perfectly -satisfied to let the thieves keep their liberty.</p> - -<p>For the king of the motor boys and his two companions -to attempt to capture the three men would have been -foolish, and no doubt have ended in disaster; but to secure -the satchel by stealth, or through some ruse, seemed -feasible and worth trying.</p> - -<p>Dropping to the deck again, Matt crawled to the end -of the house boat. At each end there was a wider strip -of deck than at the sides, so that the young motorist had -ample room to manœuvre without making any noise.</p> - -<p>A door opened out of the end of the cabin upon the -rear deck, and beside the door was a flight of steep stairs -leading to the cabin roof.</p> - -<p>There was nothing to be gained by going to the upper -deck, and to open the door and get inside the cabin promised -more danger than Matt deemed it wise to face. The -strip of deck on the starboard side of the cabin might -repay investigation, and Matt started around the corner.</p> - -<p>But he did not turn the corner. He had no more than -reached a point where he could get a view of the starboard -alley than his startled eyes rested on a figure tilted -back in a chair against the cabin wall.</p> - -<p>Well for motor Matt was it that the man was asleep. -Had he been awake, the lad would surely have been discovered, -and every hope of securing the satchel and its -contents would have gone glimmering.</p> - -<p>Drawing back. Matt crouched on the deck and turned -the situation over in his mind.</p> - -<p>What could he do to secure that satchel?</p> - -<p>His plans, whatever they were to be, would have to be -laid quickly, for there was no telling how long the sleeping -man would remain asleep, nor how long it would be -before Red-whiskers, Kinky, and Ross finished their discussion -and came out of the cabin.</p> - -<p>One move after another passed through Matt's mind, -only to be rejected and cast aside.</p> - -<p>There was a window in the starboard wall directly -back of the place where the red-whiskered man was sitting. -In seeking to gain the starboard alley, Matt had -had that window prominently in mind. But what he -could do when he reached that window had not yet occurred -to him. Any move on that part of the deck was -out of the question, so long as the man occupied the chair.</p> - -<p>The king of the motor boys, usually so resourceful in -expedients, could think of nothing, at that moment, that -pointed the way to possible success in the matter of the -satchel. The only ruse that suggested itself was to have -McGlory and Ping start some sort of a row that would -draw the three men out of the cabin, thus affording Matt -a chance to run in through a door, or climb in at a window, -and secure the grip. But this plan had many disadvantages—for -what would it avail Matt, or Lorry, if -he was to secure the satchel and then be left on the house -boat with it, at the mercy of the red-whiskered man and -his two pals?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p> - -<p>A talk with McGlory was advisable, in the circumstances, -and Matt began crawling across the after deck of -the house boat toward the <i>San Bruno</i>.</p> - -<p>Before he had covered half the distance that separated -him from the edge of the house boat's deck his knee -rested heavily on some hard object attached to the -boards. It proved to be an iron ring, made fast in a -hatch cover.</p> - -<p>Instantly the young motorist's plans underwent a -change. He would not leave the house boat just yet, -but would open the hatch, drop below and explore the -lower part of the boat. If there was another hatch -leading up under the part of the cabin where the three -men were holding their secret session, then fortune -might point a way for something worth while.</p> - -<p>The hatch cover was hinged. Softly Matt lifted the -trap and threw it back; then, letting himself down into -the scowlike hulk, he lifted the hatch again and cautiously -lowered it.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">THE MOUTH CLOSES.</p> - - -<p>When the hatch was closed, and Matt had shut himself -into the hull of the boat, he found that he was in -cramped quarters.</p> - -<p>The air was stifling, and the smell of bilge water -was extremely unpleasant. He could not sit up without -knocking his head against the deck beams, and he -was entangled in a scattered pile of firewood. But if -he got where he wanted to go he must contrive to move -forward.</p> - -<p>Taking a match from his pocket, he struck it on his -trousers, and looked about him in the feeble gleam.</p> - -<p>The firewood was not all he had to contend with. -In addition to that, the hold was half full of boxes and -casks.</p> - -<p>Making mental note of a course that would take him -forward with least trouble from the fuel and food supplies, -he pinched out the match and crawled carefully.</p> - -<p>He realized, presently, that the voices from the cabin -were coming to his ears in increased volume; in fact, -he was hearing them much more distinctly than when -he had been at the window outside the cabin. Their -distinctness became much more apparent the farther he -advanced; not only that, but they served to help him -locate himself. When the voices were directly over his -head he paused.</p> - -<p>The floor boards of the deck had spread slightly, and -the cracks were lined with threads of lamplight. This -explained the distinctness with which the voices reached -his ears. Sitting up, he stifled his breathing while he -listened.</p> - -<p>"You fellers might just as well understand this from -the start off—that money stays together, all in a wad, -until we get safe out o' 'Frisco. Then there'll be a -divvy, and not before."</p> - -<p>Red-whiskers was the speaker. Matt had no difficulty -in recognizing his raucous voice.</p> - -<p>"Is that square, John?" demanded one of the others. -"Ain't Ross an' me entitled to our share, here an' now, -if we want it?"</p> - -<p>"You're entitled to your share, Kinky, and you're -going to get it, but not until we're out of the woods. -I'd have whacked up to-night, but for that raw deal we -had worked on us at the foot of Clay Street. This -Motor Matt, it's as plain as a pikestaff, is trying to help -Lorry. Lorry himself wouldn't have the nerve to play -a game like that. Why, he stole the money himself, see, -and he ain't goin' to ask the law to step in and help him -get the stuff back. But this Motor Matt—well, from -all I can read about him, he's all nerve and is given to -meddling. We've got to quit this house boat and sail -on that Jap steamer to-morrow. I'll pay our passage -to Honolulu out of the funds, and when we get to where -we're going we'll go snucks, share and share alike."</p> - -<p>"I want mine now," struck in a third voice.</p> - -<p>"That's you, Ross," growled Red-whiskers. "You -want to do some gamblin' and drinkin', which is the -worst things you could possibly do, not only for yourself, -but for Kinky and me. I'll not have it that way. When -we get in a safe place, we'll split the loot into three -parts, and you can take what's coming to you and go to -ballyhack, if you want to. But you can't tune up around -'Frisco while I'm in the town."</p> - -<p>"What's to be done with the <i>San Bruno</i>?" asked a -voice which Matt identified as belonging to Kinky.</p> - -<p>"We'll use her to take us to 'Frisco, in the morning, -just before the steamer leaves. Then we can turn her -over to her owner, pay him what's coming, and hustle -for the dock where we load ourselves for the Sandwich -Islands. I'm calculating we'll be safe enough there."</p> - -<p>"O' course," spoke up the voice of Ross, "all I want's -to do the right thing by everybody an' have the right -thing done by me. I ain't putting up no holler, an' -don't think that for a minute; but I'm just about -strapped. I haven't got more'n two bits in my jeans."</p> - -<p>"Well, you'll have three thousand of your own before -you're a week older, Ross, and I'd advise you to do the -same as I intend to do—invest it in a pineapple plantation -in the islands."</p> - -<p>"Oh, splash! I'm going to invest my money in a -distillery," and Ross finished with a reckless laugh, only -he used a harsher expletive.</p> - -<p>"It wouldn't be like you if you didn't," grunted Red-whiskers.</p> - -<p>"Speaking along this line," spoke up Kinky, "reminds -me that I'm dryer'n the desert of Sahary. Suppose -we open a bottle?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p> - -<p>"That hits me," agreed Ross promptly.</p> - -<p>"I'll go you—for just one bottle," came from the red-whiskered -leader of the trio.</p> - -<p>Ross chuckled.</p> - -<p>"John likes his nip jest as well as anybody," said he.</p> - -<p>"What of it?" demanded the leader. "If I've got the -sense to take no more than is good for me, what's the -odds? The trouble with you, Ross, is that you never -stop until you make a fool of yourself. Let me tell you -something: Whisky is the worst enemy a man ever had. -It'll give him a little 'Dutch courage' for a piece of -crooked work, I grant you, but if a crook hangs onto -the drink it will ruin him in the end. That's right."</p> - -<p>This was refreshing doctrine to come from such a -man as Red-whiskers. Matt listened to his talk with -a half smile.</p> - -<p>"Get the stuff, Kinky," said the impatient Ross.</p> - -<p>There was a sound of moving feet across the floor. -The next moment a match was lifted directly over -Matt's head and a flood of lamplight revealed him to -Kinky. The scoundrel flung back with a wild yell.</p> - -<p>Matt waited for no more. With a pounding heart he -scrambled over boxes and casks and stove wood on his -way toward the other hatch.</p> - -<p>A confused babel of voices reached him from the -cabin; feet could be heard running over the floor, and -some one raised a great clatter dropping into the hold.</p> - -<p>"Come out here!" shouted a fierce voice. "Come out, -I say, or I'll shoot!"</p> - -<p>Matt was willing to run the risk of stopping a bullet, -there in the darkness, and he was in altogether too big -a hurry to throw up a barricade between him and the -man with the gun.</p> - -<p>Rising on his knees, he lifted his hands to the hatch. -No shot was heard, and Matt reflected that the scoundrels -would not dare fire a revolver for fear of attracting -attention from the other house boats in the cove.</p> - -<p>To throw back the hatch took only an instant, but, as -the young motorist scrambled through the opening, he -was seized by the shoulders and hurled roughly to the -deck.</p> - -<p>He was up again almost as soon as he was down.</p> - -<p>"Landers!" bellowed a gruff voice; "where the deuce -is Landers? Take him, Kinky. I guess the two of us -are enough without Landers. I'll head him off on this -side."</p> - -<p>Matt felt a pair of arms go around him from behind. -With a fierce effort, however, he twisted clear of the -clutching hands, whirled and struck out with his fist.</p> - -<p>An exclamation, more forcible than polite, was jolted -out of Kinky.</p> - -<p>"Hang it!" the scoundrel added, "he's got a fist like -a pile driver. Lay for him, Ross! I'm wabbling."</p> - -<p>Before Motor Matt could turn and defend himself -against Ross, Red-whiskers bolted through the open -cabin door.</p> - -<p>"Don't make so much noise, you fellows!" he called -angrily. "Every house boat in the cove will be——"</p> - -<p>Then he saw Matt. The latter had sprung to the -edge of the deck with the plain intention of diving -overboard.</p> - -<p>Before he could carry out his plan Ross and the leader -of the three men had him by each arm and had jerked -him roughly back.</p> - -<p>Matt struggled with all his power, but there were -three against him, and he was thrown to the deck and -dragged into the cabin, one of the men holding a hand -over his mouth to prevent outcry.</p> - -<p>The cabin was divided into two rooms, and Matt was -half dragged and half carried through the darkness of -the first room into the glaring lamplight of the one -beyond.</p> - -<p>"Put him in that chair over there," ordered the red-whiskered -man. "You needn't be afraid he'll yell, -Kinky," he added, with savage menace, "so take your -hands from his mouth. If he lets out a whoop, or tries -to bolt, I'll fire, even if the noise brings a tender from -every house boat in the bay."</p> - -<p>One look into the gleaming eyes of Red-whiskers -was enough to warn Matt that discretion demanded -passive compliance with the wishes of his captors.</p> - -<p>Kinky removed his hands from Matt's lips, and Ross -released his arms. Both men stepped to one side, glaring -at him curiously and vindictively.</p> - -<p>Red-whiskers, a revolver lying on his knees, was sitting -on the cushioned bench, directly facing Matt. With -a steady hand he was lighting a fresh cigar.</p> - -<p>"Pull the window shades, Kinky," said he calmly. -"Ross, lock both doors and put the keys in your pocket. -We'll have a little heart-to-heart talk with Motor Matt, -and I don't want Landers to see what we do, or hear -what we're talking about."</p> - -<p>Motor Matt, blaming himself for what had happened, -sat quietly and wondered what was to come.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">SURPRISING EVENTS.</p> - - -<p>"You're a daring youngster," remarked Red-whiskers, -leering at the prisoner through the smoke of his cigar. -"I suppose you think you're pretty smart, eh? Well, -there are others. How did you find out we were here?"</p> - -<p>"I found out," said Matt. "I don't think it would -help me any if I told you how."</p> - -<p>"Don't get gay," admonished Red-whiskers, his eyes -dropping significantly to the weapon on his knee. "Remember -where you are, Motor Matt. You're interfering<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> -with a game that doesn't concern you in the least. Poor -policy, boy, poor policy. You ought to have sense -enough to know that without being told. Where did -you meet young Lorry?"</p> - -<p>"I'm not talking about Lorry or any one else," returned -Matt. "You might as well let me go."</p> - -<p>"All in due time, my lad, and after you satisfy our -curiosity. You rowed over from Tiburon?"</p> - -<p>Matt was silent.</p> - -<p>"That's what he must have done," spoke up Ross. -"How could he have got here if he hadn't rowed over? -He didn't swim, that's sure, for he's got on all his clothes -an' they're dry as a bone. I'll go out and see if I can -discover his boat."</p> - -<p>Ross turned to the door, but Red-whiskers lifted a -restraining hand.</p> - -<p>"We'll look after the boat in due time, Ross," said he. -"Just now we'll give all our attention to Motor Matt. -I'll trouble you for that trunk check, my lad," he finished, -facing the prisoner once more.</p> - -<p>Matt, knowing it would be worse than useless to resist, -drew the check from his pocket and tossed it to -Red-whiskers.</p> - -<p>"Much obliged," said the leader grimly, examining -the tag. "This is the one, sure enough," he added -to Kinky and Ross.</p> - -<p>"How did you know I had it?" asked Matt.</p> - -<p>"The gent that raffled off that boat put me next. -How much pleasanter it would have been," Red-whiskers -pursued, slipping the check into his pocket, "if you'd been -nice and sociable, over there at the foot of Clay Street, -and let me have that brass tag without trying to make -trouble. What have you gained, Motor Matt, by roughing -things up like you did? And what have you gained -by sneaking in here? Are you any better off?"</p> - -<p>"Cut it out, John," growled Kinky. "What's the good -o' readin' him a lecture?"</p> - -<p>Red-whiskers scowled at Kinky.</p> - -<p>"Be so good as to dry up," he requested. "You never -was able to see anything an inch or two beyond your -nose, so you can't guess what I'm driving at. Motor -Matt," he went on, to the prisoner, "what did you lug -that cop along with you for, when you came to the foot -of Clay Street? What was your object? Was you afraid -of that part o' town, and was he just a sort of bodyguard?"</p> - -<p>Matt laughed at that.</p> - -<p>"Hardly that," said he. "You've got ten thousand -dollars that belongs to young Lorry, and the policeman -was there to get it."</p> - -<p>"Well, well!" exclaimed the red-whiskered man, with -a humorous glance at Ross and Kinky, "he thinks we've -got ten thousand dollars! But," he continued, "assuming -that we <i>have</i> got that much money, how do you -figure that it belongs to Lorry? Did Lorry steal it from -his old man? If he did, does that make it his? If it -does, Motor Matt, then if we stole the money from -young Lorry it ought to belong to us."</p> - -<p>"That's foolish," said Matt, trying to guess what Red-whiskers -was driving at.</p> - -<p>"Possibly it is. Now, you're a pretty good sort of fellow, -only a trifle headstrong, and I don't mind saying -that we <i>did</i> take that ten thousand from young Lorry. -And why? Let me tell you it was all perfectly legitimate." -He leaned over confidentially and tapped Matt -on the knee with the muzzle of the revolver. "We're -detectives, Motor Matt, Chicago detectives, and old Mr. -Lorry, that lives in Madison, Wisconsin, commissioned us -to recover that money. We've recovered it; and you"—Red-whiskers -leaned back and laughed softly—"thought -we was thieves and tried to have us pinched! What do -you think of that for a joke?"</p> - -<p>"Then," said Matt, "it's all a joke about you and -your pals sailing for Honolulu to-morrow and dividing -the money between you when you get there?"</p> - -<p>Enjoyment immediately faded out of the situation for -the red-whiskered man. He straightened up, pulled at -his fiery beard and glared at Motor Matt.</p> - -<p>Matt realized that he had made a mistake. By speaking -as he had done, he had virtually admitted that he -knew more about the plans of the three rascals than they -had thought possible.</p> - -<p>"Ah," and a crafty smile crossed Red-whiskers' face -"I thought you'd let out something, if I prodded you a -little, but I'll be hanged if I expected that. This is beginning -to look mighty serious for you, Motor Matt. -Where did you learn all that?"</p> - -<p>"I was under the floor," replied Matt.</p> - -<p>"Exactly—under the floor listening to a conversation -that didn't concern you. Because of that, you're going -to stay two weeks on this boat, and Landers is going to -keep you. By then we'll be where we're going and out -of harm's way, and it won't be possible for what you -know to have any effect. You've only yourself to blame -for this. Who's that chink that won the boat in the -raffle?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know much about him," replied Matt.</p> - -<p>"You took his boat across the bay for him, didn't -you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Well, he knew where you had gone, because he told -me. That's how I was able to send that note to the Bixler -House. The chink said you had a couple of fellows -with you—one, in particular, who had fallen off a ferryboat -and whom you had picked up. Was that young -Lorry?"</p> - -<p>"I'm not saying a word," said Matt, "about Lorry. -You say you're going to keep me on this house boat for -two weeks. If that's your plan, all right, go ahead with -it."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p> - -<p>For several minutes Matt, from where he sat, had been -trying to locate the satchel under the bench. It was impossible -for him to see it, and he supposed that it had -either been moved by Red-whiskers, or taken away.</p> - -<p>"We're going to leave for parts unknown," continued -the leader of the three rogues, "and we're going to take -young Lorry with us. I guess if we give him a thousand -of his father's money he'll be satisfied."</p> - -<p>"You're a scoundrel, on your own showing," cried -Matt angrily, "but I don't think you'd be such a contemptible -scoundrel as to take that boy away and make -him a thief, like you and your pals!"</p> - -<p>"Softly, Motor Matt," warned Red-whiskers. "What -is the boy now but a thief, and on his own showing, at -that? I don't think we can hurt him any, and by taking -him away we'll be doing a good thing for him—and -for us."</p> - -<p>"You'll ruin him, that's what you'll do," proceeded -Matt indignantly. "Haven't you a thought for his people, -back there in Wisconsin?"</p> - -<p>"What are his people to us? I had intended all along -to compromise with the cub and give him a thousand, -but you got to him before we did. He doesn't dare appeal -to the law——"</p> - -<p>"There are others who will act for him," broke in -Matt. "There's the making of a man in young Lorry, -and if you do as you say you intend to, you will end by -making him no better than you are."</p> - -<p>"You're not very complimentary, it strikes me," said -Red-whiskers easily, bending down and groping under -the bench with one hand. "We might just as well take -our boodle and get away from here. I had planned to -stay on the house boat all night, and run over to 'Frisco -in the launch in time to catch that steamer to-morrow, -but you've compelled us to change our plans. We'll -take a night train, and—— Where in blazes is that -satchel?"</p> - -<p>Failing to find the satchel with one hand, Red-whiskers -had used both hands. Even then the treasure -grip eluded him, and in a sudden flurry he dropped to -the floor on his knees and looked under the bench. The -next instant he had leaped up, maddened and furious.</p> - -<p>"It's gone!" he shouted.</p> - -<p>Kinky and Ross jumped as though they had been -touched by a live wire.</p> - -<p>"Gone?" they echoed blankly.</p> - -<p>"You know something about this!" cried Red-whiskers, -facing Ross furiously.</p> - -<p>"What're you givin' us?" retorted Ross menacingly. -"If you think you can throw any such bluff as that, -John, and make it stick, you've got another guess coming. -You've taken the satchel yourself! You never intended -to whack up with Kinky and me, and this is a -move to corral all the money."</p> - -<p>"Don't be a fool!" snapped Red-whiskers, studying -Ross' face for a moment, and then swerving his eyes to -Kinky.</p> - -<p>The affair had a dark look, for a space, as both Kinky -and Ross had reached their hands under their coats. If -the three scoundrels had a quarrel among themselves, -Matt felt that he would have a chance of escape. His -eager eyes traveled to the doors, and then to the window.</p> - -<p>"Look here, you two," went on Red-whiskers, his eyes -glittering fiendishly, "the satchel's gone. I'll take back -what I said about you two having had anything to do -with trying to lift it. Certainly I didn't—you ought to -know that. We've all been in this room——"</p> - -<p>"Except when we ran aft to ketch that fellow," fumed -Ross, indicating Matt with a jerk of the head. "You -was in here alone with the satchel then, John. How do -we know you didn't hide it on us?"</p> - -<p>"Mebby it was him!" stormed Kinky, stepping toward -Matt.</p> - -<p>"How could it have been him?" objected Ross. "He -was under the floor, and we kept him busy every minute -until he bobbed up through the after hatch."</p> - -<p>"Then it was Landers!" cried Kinky. "I never did -like that feller's looks. I'll bet it was Landers! If——"</p> - -<p>Just at that moment the <i>chug-chug</i> of a motor was -heard outside.</p> - -<p>"He's turning over the engine!" cried Red-whiskers, -jumping for one of the doors. "Landers has got the -satchel and he's getting away with it in the boat."</p> - -<p>Red-whiskers threw himself against the door, trying -to break it down.</p> - -<p>"Wait, confound it!" yelped Ross; "here's the key, -John. I'll unlock the door if you'll gi' me a chance."</p> - -<p>The three men paid no attention whatever to Matt. As -soon as Ross could unlock and throw open the door they -all rushed out.</p> - -<p>The <i>San Bruno</i> was still lying where she had been -moored, but the wheeze of a boat could be heard, and a -craft, a cable's length away, could be seen vanishing -wraithlike into the shadows across the cove.</p> - -<p>"Landers has got another boat, somewhere, and he's -running away in it!" declared Kinky.</p> - -<p>"We'll overhaul him with the <i>San Bruno</i>," cried Red-whiskers, -throwing himself into the launch. "One of -you stay behind and look after the prisoner——"</p> - -<p>"Hang the prisoner!" answered Kinky. "The money -means more to us than he does."</p> - -<p>Ross cast off the rope that held the launch alongside -the house boat, and both he and Kinky sprang aboard -the <i>San Bruno</i>.</p> - -<p>Matt, bewildered by the surprising events that had -followed each other so swiftly, stood on the forward -deck of the houseboat and watched while the <i>San Bruno</i> -got under way and started on the track of the other boat.</p> - -<p>That other boat, of course, Matt knew to be the <i>Sprite</i>.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> -But why was she tearing off across the cove like that? -Why were McGlory and Ping leaving Matt when they -must have known he was in difficulties? Had they -started for Tiburon to get a few policemen and bring -them back to help their comrade out of his trouble?</p> - -<p>As these questions sped through Matt's bewildered -mind a laugh echoed behind him—and he turned to face -the most surprising of all the events that had happened -that night.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">M'GLORY'S RUN OF LUCK.</p> - - -<p>Joe McGlory, judging from the way fortune had -turned her back on him during his whole life, was positive -that he had not been born "under a lucky star." It -was more likely, he thought, that he had been born under -the Dipper, and that the Dipper was upside down at the -time. Yet, be that as it might, luck had never had -much to do with McGlory. Whatever he got came to -him always by hard knocks and persistent grubbing. -But there was a bright lining to the cloud, and this lining -was making ready to show itself.</p> - -<p>He sat impatiently on the stern thwarts of the <i>Sprite</i>, -while Matt was doing his reconnoitring on the house -boat, waiting impatiently for him to return and report. -Ping was forward at the steering wheel of the launch, -feeling casually and with a certain amount of awe of -every lever that manipulated the motor and the gear.</p> - -<p>The little <i>Sprite</i> was completely dwarfed by the larger -boat alongside of which she cuddled, like a young duck -under the lee of its mother, and the gloom of the higher -bulwarks overshadowed McGlory and Ping.</p> - -<p>From time to time, the cowboy stood up and looked -across the cockpit of the <i>San Bruno</i> toward the house -boat. He saw Matt's head silhouetted in the light from -the cabin window, and finally he saw him move away and -vanish from sight behind the raised forward deck of the -larger motor boat.</p> - -<p>After that, McGlory champed the bit, and waited. -As is usual in such cases, the seconds dragged like minutes, -and the minutes were like hours. The cowboy -finally made up his mind that something had gone wrong, -and that he ought to investigate.</p> - -<p>This feeling grew upon him until he could stand it no -longer. Creeping forward to where Ping was caressing -the steering wheel, he paused beside him for a moment.</p> - -<p>"Motor Matt's been gone so long, Ping," said he, in a -low tone, "that I'm afraid he has struck on a snag. If -that's so, it's up to me to flock over to the house boat and -do my little best to get him out of trouble. Savvy?"</p> - -<p>"Heap savvy," replied Ping. "By Klismus, China boy -go 'long. Mebbyso you makee fall in tlouble, China boy -savee you, savee Matt, savee evelbody. Huh?"</p> - -<p>"Never you mind about Matt and me, Ping," returned -McGlory. "You stay right here—and stop fooling with -that machinery, too. First thing you know you'll have -the <i>Sprite</i> turning a summerset, and that would be about -the worst thing that could happen to us. Stay right here, -mind, and wait until you hear from Matt or me before -you budge."</p> - -<p>"Awri'," said Ping meekly.</p> - -<p>McGlory crawled over the hood, got aboard the <i>San -Bruno</i>, and then stepped softly to the deck of the house -boat.</p> - -<p>A quick look around revealed the fact that Motor -Matt was not in evidence. Slipping forward along the -port alley, the cowboy took a hasty look through the -lighted window. The three men were smoking, and in -close converse, but McGlory was more interested in locating -Motor Matt, just then, than in anything else.</p> - -<p>Instead of returning toward the after end of the house -boat, he passed on to the patch of deck at the forward -end—and was thus out of the whirl of excitement that -was turned on at the rear of the craft.</p> - -<p>The yell given by Kinky when he lifted the trap in -the floor of the cabin and caught a glimpse of Matt -reached McGlory's ears almost as soon as he had gained -the wider deck at the end of the boat. Almost immediately -he heard the scramble inside the cabin, and then -the rush of feet aft.</p> - -<p>He hesitated for a few seconds, not knowing what to -do. Matt had got into trouble, all right, but had he -gotten out of it?</p> - -<p>Stepping quickly to a door which led directly into the -lighted front room of the cabin, McGlory softly turned -the knob and pushed the door open. The room was -empty. A trap in the floor was open, and also a door -leading into a dark room beyond. From somewhere -farther aft came angry voices and more sounds of -scuffling.</p> - -<p>"That means me, I reckon," thought the cowboy, -rushing across the lighted room and into the darker -chamber farther on. It was his intention to keep going -and find out just what the struggle he had been hearing -might mean, and to do what he could for Motor Matt; -but he heard a sound behind him, just as he gained the -darkness of the rear room, which caused him to halt, turn -cautiously, and peer backward.</p> - -<p>A tall, gangle-legged individual, with a mustache the -color of dried buffalo grass, a nose like a wart and eyes -that looked like a couple of wilted cactus blossoms, had -entered the door which McGlory had left open.</p> - -<p>The manner of this person aroused the cowboy's interest -and curiosity. If he was one of the gang, what was -he doing there? And why was he acting in such a -stealthy manner, as though in a hurry and fearing to be -apprehended?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span></p> - -<p>McGlory, for a moment, curbed his desire to hurry on -to the rear of the house boat and stood and watched the -stranger from the safe screen of darkness.</p> - -<p>The man was looking for something, that was plain. -Dropping to his knees, he reached under a bench at one -side of the room. What he wanted wasn't there. He -turned to the bench on the other side and gave an exultant -grunt as he pulled a satchel from under it.</p> - -<p>After flashing a wary look around him, he opened the -satchel with trembling fingers and drew forth a package -of banknotes that made McGlory stagger.</p> - -<p>Money! George Lorry's money!</p> - -<p>That is what the cowboy thought on the instant. With -another jubilant grunt, the stranger snapped the satchel -shut and faded through the front door. McGlory was -about two seconds making up his mind, and then faded -after him.</p> - -<p>The man was out of sight when the cowboy reached -the deck at the forward end of the boat. Heavy feet -were coming through the dark room of the cabin, and -McGlory knew it was hardly safe for him to stand in -the exposed position where he had placed himself.</p> - -<p>Wondering where the man had gone with the satchel -and the money, he stepped around the corner of the cabin -into the starboard passage—and saw the man just dodging -around the opposite corner, on the after deck.</p> - -<p>"That's where I nail him!" thought McGlory, moving -softly and swiftly along the alley.</p> - -<p>As he passed the lighted window on that side of the -cabin a curtain was jerked down, and a door was -slammed. Following this, a key grated in a lock. Then -another door was slammed and another key grated.</p> - -<p>The cowboy hesitated, trying to guess whether all that -had anything to do with the man who was making off -with the satchel. Unable to reach any conclusion, and -convinced that his duty lay in following the man, McGlory -moved noiselessly onward.</p> - -<p>The light on the upright staff of the houseboat cast a -faint glow on the after deck, and here McGlory saw the -man he was following again on his knees and examining -the packet of bills.</p> - -<p>In two jumps the cowboy was on the man's back.</p> - -<p>"Steady!" he hissed in the man's ear.</p> - -<p>The fellow began to struggle; and then, in a flash, -the cowboy remembered the revolver he had snatched -out of his cousin's hand and slipped into his pocket. In -a twinkling he had the weapon out of the pocket—and -commanded the situation.</p> - -<p>"Don't shoot!" whined the man. "Great guns, I ain't -done anythin' to <i>you</i>."</p> - -<p>"Put that bunch of green goods back into the grip," -ordered McGlory.</p> - -<p>"Thar she goes," said the man, letting the packet fall -into the satchel.</p> - -<p>"Now give the grip a shove," continued McGlory, "so -it'll be closer to where I'm standing. That's the idea," -he added, as the bag came sliding toward him. "Now, -pardner, I've got the money and you've got the experience, -and things are looking real fine. Who are you, -anyhow?"</p> - -<p>"Landers," said the man. "I'm in charge o' this boat -for Big John."</p> - -<p>"Big John, eh? I wonder if that's my friend, Mr. -Smith, otherwise Red-whiskers?"</p> - -<p>"That's him," answered Landers, "but you ain't no -friend o' his, I'll gamble."</p> - -<p>"Ain't I?" queried McGlory humorously.</p> - -<p>"You're a detective, an' you've come here to bag Big -John an' them other coves. But you don't need to bag -me. I was only gettin' the money to turn it over to the -police."</p> - -<p>"Oh, speak to me about that!" chuckled McGlory.</p> - -<p>"Look out behind ye!" whispered Landers hoarsely. -"Big John is——"</p> - -<p>McGlory turned. As he did so, Landers fell off the -house boat and into the cockpit of the <i>San Bruno</i>.</p> - -<p>"Ain't I easy?" grumbled McGlory, marking a half -run across the deck in the direction of the launch. "No," -he muttered, "I won't do that, either. I've got the ten -thousand plunks belongin' to Uncle Dan, and I guess -I'll freeze onto 'em. Matt needs me, I reckon. With -the grip in one hand and George's pepper box in the -other, I'll walk through the cabin and see what I can do -for this new pard of mine."</p> - -<p>The rear door of the cabin was unlocked. McGlory -passed through it and groped his way in the dark to the -other door.</p> - -<p>He had barely reached the door when another commotion -assailed his ears, accompanied by loud voices. The -voices were so loud, in fact, that the cowboy could hear -distinctly all that was said.</p> - -<p>Big John had just discovered the loss of the satchel, -and a violent scene was threatening. Then came the -popping of the motor, and the rush to get out of the -cabin and pursue Landers.</p> - -<p>McGlory, beginning to understand what had happened -and how the thieves had been fooled, leaned against the -wall of the cabin and sputtered with merriment.</p> - -<p>"Speak to me about luck, will you?" he gasped. "This -is once, anyhow, that I've got the winning number. I -reckon it's because I'm hooked up with Motor Matt."</p> - -<p>He tried the bulkhead door, but found it locked. With -a sudden thought, he returned to the other door, took -the key he found there from the lock and tried it in the -lock of the bulkhead door. It worked like a charm, -and McGlory, satchel in one hand and revolver in the -other, pushed into the lighted room.</p> - -<p>At the very least, he was expecting to find Motor Matt -on the floor, tied hand and foot. McGlory's astonishment -was great, therefore, when he discovered that Matt<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> -was not in the room. A form stood just outside the door, -on the forward deck, vaguely outlined in the darkness.</p> - -<p>It was Matt, there was no doubt about it. Thoughts -of the way events had shaped themselves to befool the -thieves rushed over the cowboy again, and once more -he dropped against the side of the cabin. He exploded -a laugh that brought Matt into the room at a double -quick, and held him, just inside the door, staring as -though at a ghost.</p> - -<p>"McGlory!" muttered Matt, rubbing his eyes.</p> - -<p>"Keno, correct—and more, much more. It's McGlory, -Matt, and McGlory's got the <i>dinero</i>. Come to me, put -your little hand in mine for a good shake, and let's felicitate. -This will be happy news for Cousin George!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">WAITING AND WORRYING.</p> - - -<p>"In the name of all that's good, Joe," cried Matt, as he -and the cowboy shook hands, "where did you come -from?"</p> - -<p>"From the <i>Sprite</i>, pard," grinned McGlory. "But that -was some sort of a while ago. I've been on the house -boat for quite a spell."</p> - -<p>"Where did you get that satchel?"</p> - -<p>"It's got the bundle of money in it, Matt—Uncle -Dan's money <i>sabe</i>?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes, I know! I saw the red-whiskered man take -the money out of the satchel, then put it back again and -push the satchel under that bench. But how did <i>you</i> get -hold of it? That's what I want to know."</p> - -<p>McGlory dropped the satchel and collapsed on the -bench.</p> - -<p>"Oh, that's the best ever," he laughed. "Those old -hardshells were fooled at their own game. Queer about -that money of Uncle Dan's. It's been in a good deal of -a taking ever since it left Madison. George takes it -from Uncle Dan, Red-whiskers takes it from George, -Landers takes it from Red-whiskers, and now here's -me taking it from Landers."</p> - -<p>"Landers?" queried Mitt. "Did he take the money?"</p> - -<p>"Took it the length of the boat. By then I was close -enough to get hold of it myself. But you cut loose and -tell me what went crossways with you—I've been worried -a heap about that—and then I'll even up by tellin' -how I jumped into the game."</p> - -<p>Matt made short work of his end of the explanation, -and McGlory consumed but little more time. While McGlory -was talking, Matt was not only listening but also -putting two and two together in his own mind.</p> - -<p>The cowboy finished with another jubilant laugh, but -Matt suddenly became grave and got up from the bench.</p> - -<p>"Let's go outside, Joe," said he, "where we can keep -an eye on our surroundings."</p> - -<p>"What's there in our surroundings to worry us? -We've got the money, haven't we?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, but the 'taking' you mentioned a few minutes ago -may keep up—unless we're on the alert. Suppose Big -John, Kinky, and Ross come back here in the <i>San Bruno</i>? -What would happen then? We haven't any <i>Sprite</i> to -take us off, remember."</p> - -<p>"That's a fact," and McGlory went suddenly grave -himself. "What ever came over that chink to run off? -Say, I'll bet he got to tinkering with the motor, and -that it started on him and he couldn't stop it. Consarn -these chinks, anyhow!"</p> - -<p>"Don't be too quick to blame Ping, Joe," remonstrated -Matt. "I don't think that's what happened."</p> - -<p>"What then?"</p> - -<p>"Landers thought you were a detective, didn't he?"</p> - -<p>"That's what he said."</p> - -<p>"Well, he was afraid of being arrested and jailed for -helping Big John and the other two. That's the reason -he played a trick and tumbled off the boat."</p> - -<p>"Well? Go on, pard, and give me the rest of it."</p> - -<p>"Don't you think it's likely that he climbed aboard -the <i>Sprite</i>, took her away from Ping, and then rushed -her across the cove to the nearest landing?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, tell me!" muttered McGlory. "And I never, no, -I never once let that drift into my head! And yet, why -not? Wasn't it the natural thing for Landers to do? -Any day you can find in the almanac, pard, I'm shy -something when it comes to headwork. But here's the -point: Can Landers run the <i>Sprite</i> fast enough to keep -her away from the <i>San Bruno</i>? If he can't, I can see -what will happen to Ping and Landers when that outfit -of fire-eaters come up with them. Oh, shucks! This -ain't turnin' out so pleasant as I thought. Suppose we -hike for the deck and keep our eyes peeled. It may save -us something, although I'm a heathen if I see what we -could do if the <i>San Bruno</i> came back."</p> - -<p>"If we have to," said Matt, "we'll take the money and -swim to the nearest house boat."</p> - -<p>"It will be a damp roll of bills we take ashore with us -if we have to do that."</p> - -<p>"Better a lot of wet money, Joe, than no money at -all."</p> - -<p>"Right, exactly right, as per usual. I've got this pop-gun -of Cousin George's. It looks like one of those toy -Fourth of July things that make a noise and let it go at -that. Still, maybe the sight of the thing would scare -somebody."</p> - -<p>Together they left the cabin, and, in order that their -view might be more extensive, climbed the steep stairs to -the house boat's upper deck. Here there were comfortable -chairs, and the boys sat down and allowed their eyes -to wander about them over the shadowy surface of the -cove.</p> - -<p>The lights of the house-boat settlement were still<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> -gleaming in every direction, but every sound had died -away and a dead silence reigned.</p> - -<p>"If a launch was coming," said McGlory, "we could -hear her a mile off—which is three times as far as we -could see her."</p> - -<p>"That's right," said Matt, "and I'm hearing one now. -Listen! Unless I'm away off in my reckoning a boat is -bearing this way from the direction of Tiburon."</p> - -<p>McGlory bent his head.</p> - -<p>"You've made a bull's-eye, Matt," said he. "A boat's -coming, but is it the <i>Sprite</i> or the <i>San Bruno</i>?"</p> - -<p>"It's the <i>San Bruno</i>," averred Matt.</p> - -<p>"How do you make that out?" queried the wondering -cowboy.</p> - -<p>"Why, a bigger volume of sound, distance considered, -than the <i>Sprite</i> makes. I noticed that particularly when -we were chasing the <i>San Bruno</i> across the bay."</p> - -<p>"Well, you've got me beat, plumb. We've got to -swim, I reckon, going off one side of the house boat as -the launch ties up at the other?"</p> - -<p>"We'll not take to the water until we have to, Joe. -Wait until we can get a good look at the boat."</p> - -<p>Standing on the upper deck, the two boys faced in -the direction of the approaching launch, and waited and -worried.</p> - -<p>Slowly, and after a period of time that seemed interminable, -a blot of shadow came gliding toward them -from among the clustered lights of the house boats.</p> - -<p>Matt whirled to grip McGlory's arm.</p> - -<p>"What's to pay now, pard?" asked the startled cowboy.</p> - -<p>"Why," answered Matt, "two boats are coming!"</p> - -<p>"Two?" echoed McGlory, squinting in the direction of -the moving blot. "I can't make out more than one, and -it's plenty hard to see that."</p> - -<p>"One is chasing the other—I can tell by the sounds, -alone."</p> - -<p>"Good ear—remarkable. Put a lot of bronks on a hard -trail and I can shut my eyes and tell you how many -there are, up to five, by listening. But a boat's a different -proposition. How do you know one is chasing the -other, though? That's what gets me."</p> - -<p>"Because," answered Matt, "the boat ahead is the -<i>Sprite</i> and the one behind is the <i>San Bruno</i>!"</p> - -<p>"Sufferin' whirligigs!" exclaimed McGlory. "How -far ahead is the <i>Sprite</i>?"</p> - -<p>"We can tell in a minute. Both boats are close—and -the <i>San Bruno</i> has put out her light. Ah, look!"</p> - -<p>Matt leaned over the rail and pointed. By that time -the boats could be easily distinguished. The <i>Sprite</i> was -pounding along in a distressing way that proved there -was something wrong with her sparking apparatus or -her fuel supply, but, in spite of that, she was doing -nobly.</p> - -<p>"It can't be that Ping is doing the work on the -<i>Sprite</i>," muttered McGlory.</p> - -<p>"It sounds as though it might be Ping," said Matt.</p> - -<p>"But he can't run the boat! Didn't we see him try, -at the Tiburon landing?"</p> - -<p>"He's been watching me, and I think he's learned what -to pull and push and turn in order to keep the boat moving. -A Chinaman is a good imitator, Joe. The <i>San -Bruno</i> is giving our launch a close race, and we'd better -go down and stand ready to leap aboard the moment -Ping stops for us."</p> - -<p>Hurrying down the steps, the two boys placed themselves -at the edge of the house boat's after deck, ready to -jump the moment the <i>Sprite</i> came close enough.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">PING STARS HIMSELF.</p> - - -<p>Ping was not impatient, while waiting for Matt and -McGlory to come back from the house boat, and he was -not worrying. His callow mind was engaged with the -wheels and levers of the <i>Sprite's</i> machinery, and he -might be said to be enjoying himself, in his artless, -heathen way.</p> - -<p>His first acquaintance with the <i>Sprite</i> had not been of -a pleasant nature, but Ping had overcome his awe and -fear, to a large extent, by watching how readily the boat -obeyed the touch of Motor Matt's hands.</p> - -<p>The Chinese boy had observed all the details of starting, -steering, and stopping. Sitting alone in the launch, -he touched the various levers in proper order, again and -again—touched them lightly, for he had no desire to -make the boat turn a "summerset," as McGlory had -said she would do if he got too free with his attentions.</p> - -<p>The uproar and commotion that started abruptly on the -house boat and continued at intervals for some time, -naturally drew the Chinaman's eyes across the <i>San -Bruno</i>. But the attraction of the motor was too much -for Ping to withstand, and he jumped at a conclusion -to assure himself that everything was well with Matt and -McGlory, and returned to his childlike interest in the -machinery.</p> - -<p>Some one scrambled off the <i>San Bruno</i> into the <i>Sprite</i>. -The rough boarding of the little launch caused her to -sway and shiver and dance at the end of her painter.</p> - -<p>"You makee plenty fuss, McGloly!" complained Ping, -grabbing at the sides of the boat to hold himself upright.</p> - -<p>Before he could look around a rough hand had caught -his queue and jerked him over backward.</p> - -<p>"Not a bloomin' word out o' you, chink!" hissed a -menacing voice in Ping's ear. "Ahead with ye, now, -and unloose the painter. If you don't hustle, I'll kick yer -inter next week. This is a hurry-up call, and don't you -fergit that!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p> - -<p>Ping didn't wait to argue the question. Rolling over -the top of the hood, he knelt in the bow and tore the -painter loose from the iron ring. The engine was -chugging by the time he had finished, and when the -<i>Sprite</i> started, under the impulsive hands of the strange -white man, she leaped away with a jolt that rolled Ping -back into the arms of the boat's captor.</p> - -<p>With an oath, the man hurled Ping into the bottom of -the boat. He would as soon have tumbled the Chinese -boy into the water, and it was luck, rather than design, -that kept Ping out of the wet.</p> - -<p>Crawling back on the stern thwarts, Ping leaned on -his elbows, blinking his little eyes and trying to guess -what had happened.</p> - -<p>Behind, over the swiftly growing stretch of water, he -heard an uproar on the house boat, then the pant and -throb of another engine.</p> - -<p>The strange white man looked around and swore.</p> - -<p>"They're chasin' me, but they won't get me!" he muttered. -"If this boat can put me ashore ahead of 'em, I'll -save my bacon dry-shod; an' if it can't, by thunder, I'll -take to the water and swim!"</p> - -<p>Ping heard this, and dwelt upon the words for some -time. The strange white man was running away from -the other devil-boat. What had the strange white man -done? Were Matt and McGlory on the other devil-boat -trying to catch him? Or was it the three bad 'Melican -men who were doing the chasing?</p> - -<p>Ping couldn't figure it out. About all he realized was -that there was a race between the <i>Sprite</i> and the <i>San -Bruno</i>. Inasmuch as the <i>San Bruno</i> belonged to the -enemy, Ping hoped in his heart that the <i>Sprite</i> would -leave her behind.</p> - -<p>They were making for the shore of the cove, but the -strange white man was handling the boat badly. He -didn't push or pull the way Motor Matt did, and the -imprisoned devil under the hood—the power that made -the propeller whirl—coughed and spluttered with rage -and pounded on the machinery with iron hammers.</p> - -<p>It got on Ping's nerves, and he hoisted himself to a -sitting posture.</p> - -<p>"By Klismus," he cried frantically, "you lettee Ping -lun engine! Him makee go chop-chop, keepee <i>Splite</i> -away flom othel boat!"</p> - -<p>The strange white man looked around with a snarl.</p> - -<p>"Shut up!" he roared, "or I'll toss ye into the drink, -so help me!"</p> - -<p>Ping shut up. Lying back on the thwart he watched -the other boat draw nearer and nearer. The shore was -yet a good way off, and it was plain the <i>San Bruno</i> -would overhaul the <i>Sprite</i> before the land could be -reached. And how the good devil under the hood was -fighting to do better! How hard it was begging the -strange white man to treat it right, and let it work -easier and take the <i>Sprite</i> away from the other boat.</p> - -<p>Ping gave a deep groan. Oh, if he was only at the -wheel, and the pull-things and the push-things!</p> - -<p>He looked around for something to throw at the -strange white man. If a monkey wrench, or a hatchet, -had been convenient, then one Landers would probably -never have known what struck him.</p> - -<p>But, fortunately for Landers—and for Ping, too—no -weapon was available, and the race went on. The shore -was near now, but the <i>San Bruno</i> was nearer.</p> - -<p>Ping, straining his eyes through the dark, could see -the men on the <i>San Bruno</i>. There were three of them, -and their boat was less than three lengths away!</p> - -<p>Suddenly the <i>Sprite</i> slewed around, crosswise of the -<i>San Bruno's</i> course. Ping started up with a frightened -yell, a splash echoing in his ears.</p> - -<p>There was no one at the wheel or the levers! Ping's -almond eyes turned swiftly shoreward, and there they -saw a form in the water, swimming strongly toward the -land.</p> - -<p>But Ping was not thinking of the strange white man, -but of the <i>Sprite</i>. Hurling himself forward across the -midship thwart, he seized the steering wheel and turned -the launch in a wide circle.</p> - -<p>A shout went up from the <i>San Bruno</i>.</p> - -<p>"Halt, Landers! You can't get away with that -money! Stop and drop alongside or we'll cut you down -to the water's edge!"</p> - -<p>Ping, naturally, couldn't understand this. The voice -that had called out was not the voice of Motor Matt or -McGlory. Since they were not on the <i>San Bruno</i>, -then, of course, they must still be on the house boat.</p> - -<p>The Chinese boy started back over the watery trail -which the <i>Sprite</i> had recently traversed under the guidance -of the white man. Carefully he doctored the motor, -pulling and pushing as he had seen Matt push and pull, -all the while breathing choice prayers in his native tongue -to placate the demon in the engine.</p> - -<p>The devil must have been placated, at least a little, for -he did not clamor quite so loud, but at intervals he hammered -in a way that was very distressing to Ping. However, -Ping couldn't help it, so he settled himself down to -his steering, occasionally throwing a look over his shoulder -at the other boat.</p> - -<p>The <i>Sprite</i> was gaining on her slowly. Ping continued -to breathe his heathen prayers, and to beg the -honorable demon to stop pounding in the machine and to -put its extra power into the little wheel under the boat.</p> - -<p>As the <i>Sprite</i> came closer and closer to the house boat -Ping was able to see two figures on the upper deck.</p> - -<p>Were they Motor Matt and McGlory? He guessed -they were not, while hoping that they were. Anyhow, -he would have to stop. His nerves fluttered as he wondered -if he would be able to stop.</p> - -<p>He had watched Matt as he brought the <i>Sprite</i> alongside<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> -the <i>San Bruno</i>. As he remembered it, Matt had -begun to play with the levers before the launch was -very near the larger craft.</p> - -<p>Matt, it will be recalled, had done this in order to let -the <i>Sprite</i> glide noiselessly to her berth. Ping repeated -the manœuvre, and McGlory danced around on -the house boat's deck, fuming at the delay caused by the -halted motor.</p> - -<p>The <i>San Bruno</i> was almost bunting into the stern of -<i>Sprite</i> as the two boys made flying leaps to get aboard. -The impact of their bodies came within one of swamping -the little craft, and Matt stumbled to the steering wheel -and got busy without losing an instant.</p> - -<p>Ping slid backward over the midship thwart, yielding -his place meekly and gladly; and then, with McGlory, he -watched while Motor Matt plucked the <i>Sprite</i> out of -harm's way.</p> - -<p>It was so neatly done that Ping's heart swelled within -him, and he slapped his hands and said glad things in -Chinese. One touch of Motor Matt's hand, and the -demon stopped pounding. A hum as of an industrious -hive of bees came from under the hood, and the launch -gathered itself together and flung onward with a fresh -burst of speed.</p> - -<p>The <i>San Bruno</i>, those aboard her still under the impression -that Landers was on the <i>Sprite</i>—perhaps, in -the darkness, mistaking Ping for their renegade comrade—continued -to give pursuit.</p> - -<p>It was a hopeless chase, however, and when the <i>Sprite</i> -gained her old berth at the Tiburon wharf the <i>San -Bruno</i> had given up and turned back into the night.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">A NEW TWIST—BY GEORGE.</p> - - -<p>"Speak to me about that!" gulped McGlory, as he, -and Matt and Ping climbed out of the <i>Sprite</i> to the top -of the wharf. "Little Slant-eyes has starred himself. -But how he ever did it stumps me."</p> - -<p>"How did you do it, Ping?" asked Matt, leaning -against the post to which he had secured the launch and -peering across the water to see if there was any sign of -the <i>San Bruno</i> in the gloom.</p> - -<p>"By jee-clickets," bubbled Ping, "me allee same big -high China boy. Fightee like Sam Hill, workee allee -same. Whoosh!"</p> - -<p>"And that's the way he did it," commented McGlory.</p> - -<p>"My no savvy," admitted Ping. "Plenty quick 'Melican -man takee boat, plenty quick him dlop ovelbo'd, -plenty quick my come back to othel boatee. No savvy -ally mo."</p> - -<p>"You did well, anyhow," said Matt.</p> - -<p>"Awri'. My workee fo' Motol Matt allee time."</p> - -<p>"What now, pard?" asked McGlory. "We got out of -that bunch of excitement with ground to spare, but why -do we tie up here? Why don't we keep right on to -'Frisco? George is going to hand us five apiece, you -know," he added, with a laugh, "providing we fork over -this ten thousand before the steamer sails for Honolulu."</p> - -<p>"George will have to wait while we send some officers -out to that house boat," said Matt.</p> - -<p>"You haven't an idea those three tinhorns will have -the nerve to go back to the house boat, have you?"</p> - -<p>"They may, to pick up their traps. That makes it -necessary for us to act quickly, if we are to accomplish -anything. Come on, and we'll hunt up police headquarters."</p> - -<p>Ping hesitated.</p> - -<p>"What's the matter with you, chink?" asked McGlory. -"Ain't you coming with us?"</p> - -<p>"No can do," replied Ping. "My no leavee boat. Mebbyso -my makee sleep in boat, huh? Plenty fine place. -My no lettee 'Melican man lun away with him some mo'."</p> - -<p>"Stay here if you want to, Ping," answered Matt.</p> - -<p>"That's the heathen of it," grunted McGlory. "He'd -rather bunk in the bottom of the <i>Sprite</i>, with his legs -doubled over the thwarts, than to rest on a good mattress -like a Christian."</p> - -<p>"Here's one Christian that's ready to rest," said Matt.</p> - -<p>"And here's another," added McGlory. "Listen. Do -you recollect that we haven't had a feed since we took -that quick-order lunch at noon?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Well, no wonder we're hungry and fagged. Let's -make rush work of this police business, and then tumble -into our blankets."</p> - -<p>It was an hour before they got a detail of officers -started in a launch for the house boat, and incidentally -looking for the <i>San Bruno</i>; and half an hour longer -before they dropped into bed and went to sleep.</p> - -<p>They awoke late next morning, which was to be expected, -considering the hour at which they retired, and -their exhausted condition; and they would not have got -up when they did had a smart summons not been -pounded on their door.</p> - -<p>"Speak to me about this," snorted McGlory, sitting -up and yawning. "Who's got the nerve to hammer on -that door before we've done anything but go to bed and -turn over?"</p> - -<p>"It's been several hours since we went to bed, Joe," -laughed Matt, pointing to the sunlight streaming through -the window. "The sun looks to be nearly noon-high. -Who's there?" he called, as the knocking at the door -went on.</p> - -<p>"Officer from headquarters," came the response from -the hall.</p> - -<p>"Sufferin' horn toads!" exclaimed McGlory, leaping<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> -out of bed and hurrying to the door. "Mebby he's -come to tell us Big John, Kinky, and Ross have been -bagged."</p> - -<p>But the officer had no such report to make.</p> - -<p>"We found the house boat deserted, when we went out -to her last night," he said, coming into the room. "Two -men were left aboard of her and the rest of the detail -went nosing around the bay looking for the <i>San Bruno</i>."</p> - -<p>"Did you find the launch?" asked Matt.</p> - -<p>"Yes—tied up at Sausalito. No sign of the three men -whom you described; but three passengers took a train -from Sausalito, in the small hours of the morning, and -it may be that they are the fellows we were after. If -they were, then they have made good their escape."</p> - -<p>"A nice handful of cold fish you're giving us, officer," -said McGlory.</p> - -<p>"Can't help it," returned the officer. "We did the -best we could."</p> - -<p>"Who owns that house boat?" asked Matt.</p> - -<p>"A gentleman who lives in Oakland. He rents the -<i>Griselda</i> for part of the season when he's not using her -himself."</p> - -<p>"He rented her to that precious outfit of crooks and -tinhorns, did he?" struck in McGlory, scrambling into -his clothes. "What sort of a gent is that Oakland man, -anyway?"</p> - -<p>"He's all right," declared the officer. "We talked with -him over the phone, a while ago, and told him to send -some one to look after the boat. He said he rented the -<i>Griselda</i> to a stranger named Higgins, who paid him -eighty dollars in advance for a month's rent."</p> - -<p>"Higgins!" muttered McGlory. "That's another label -for Big John. Wonder how many names Red-whiskers -has got?"</p> - -<p>"Well," said Matt, "it's too bad, officer, but, as you -say, it can't be helped."</p> - -<p>"We've placed your description of the rascals on file," -finished the officer, as he turned to leave, "and if they -ever show up here, or in 'Frisco, again, they'll be run in."</p> - -<p>"Mebby," qualified McGlory. "Tie a string to that -remark, officer."</p> - -<p>"We'll do the best we can to keep watch for them, -anyhow," averred the officer.</p> - -<p>Motor Matt and McGlory had a late—a very late—breakfast; -then, after Matt had had a good meal put in -a paper bag for Ping, the two boys started for the <i>Sprite</i>.</p> - -<p>To their surprise, neither Ping nor the <i>Sprite</i> were -where they had been left; nor could any inquiries develop -their whereabouts.</p> - -<p>"It's good-by, Ping," laughed McGlory. "I reckon he -made up his mind that he didn't want to work for you -any longer, Matt."</p> - -<p>"I'm glad of it, Joe, if that's really the case," answered -Matt. "I haven't the least notion in the world -what I could have found for the Chinaman to do. But I -can't think that he's pulled out for good. He seemed -too anxious to tie to me to break away so suddenly as -that."</p> - -<p>"Well, wherever he went he went in the <i>Sprite</i>. We -can feel sure that Big John and his pals haven't had -anything to do with the chink's disappearance. They're -too busy getting themselves out of sight, pard, to bother -with any one else."</p> - -<p>Matt and McGlory went to the ferry house and caught -the next boat for 'Frisco. On the way across the bay -Matt gave Ping's breakfast to a little chap who looked -as though he needed it.</p> - -<p>McGlory carried the satchel with the ten thousand -dollars. It had been glued to him ever since he got -hands on it aboard the house boat.</p> - -<p>By one o'clock the boys were at the hotel inquiring -of the frowsy-looking clerk as to whether "Mr. Thompson" -was in his room. Both boys thought the inquiry -rather needless, but concluded to put it as a mere formality. -They were a good deal taken aback, therefore, -when the clerk informed them that Mr. Thompson had -gone out about nine o'clock and hadn't returned.</p> - -<p>"Now what?" muttered McGlory, taking Matt's arm -and leading him off into a corner. "We've got George's -money, but no George. Do you think, pard, that he -raised enough money on something to pay his passage to -Honolulu?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly not, Joe," answered Matt. "He wouldn't -leave town until he had learned more about that ten -thousand dollars."</p> - -<p>"But he promised to stay here! Still, as for that, he -always was a fine hand at making promises. If George -isn't here, I don't reckon we're obliged to hang out in -this honkatonk. The more I see of it, the more I'm -sorry the earthquake didn't give it a few extra shakes -and put it out of business. We'll go to some other hotel, -and on our way there we'll just step into a telegraph -office and shoot a few reassuring words to Uncle Dan."</p> - -<p>"We could make them more reassuring, Joe," suggested -Matt, "if we waited to find George before sending -the telegram."</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't bet a whole lot, Matt, that we're going to -find him."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, we are, and perhaps quicker than you think."</p> - -<p>As a matter of fact, they found George a good deal -sooner than even Matt had any idea they would, for he -was on the sidewalk, making for the hotel door, as Matt -and McGlory passed out.</p> - -<p>Young Lorry was quite a swell-looking boy, togged -out in another suit, but there was an air about him that -suggested conceit, carelessness of others' feelings, and a -haughty confidence in himself that was too plain for a -favorable impression.</p> - -<p>Lorry was surprised at seeing Matt and McGlory, and, -quite naturally, Matt and McGlory were not only surprised,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> -but delighted to come upon the missing youth so -soon.</p> - -<p>"Howdy, George?" called McGlory. "We've just -been asking for you."</p> - -<p>"You have—not," retorted Lorry. "You didn't want -to see me, and you know it." He turned to a policeman -who was standing behind him, and who, up to that moment, -had escaped the notice of Matt and the cowboy. -"There they are, officer," went on Lorry. "Arrest them."</p> - -<p>Matt and McGlory were stunned.</p> - -<p>"Arrest us?" queried Matt. "For what?"</p> - -<p>"For trying to run away with ten thousand dollars -belonging to me," asserted Lorry. "You were to bring -it back last night, and you didn't. Arrest them, why -don't you, officer? What are you standing there like -that for?"</p> - -<p>"There are always two sides to a story," said the policeman. -"We've heard your side, young man, and -now we'll hear the other."</p> - -<p>Matt's amazement remained with him, but McGlory's -rapidly dispelled.</p> - -<p>"A new twist—by George," remarked McGlory dryly. -"When you've known him as long as I have, Matt, you'll -not be surprised at anything he does. Come back into -this hotel with us, officer," the cowboy went on to the -policeman, "and we'll tell you all you want to know, -and perhaps more. But hang on to that false alarm -who was towing you this way. He may try to bolt before -we get through."</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">ANOTHER TWIST—BY MATT AND M'GLORY.</p> - - -<p>"I don't like your attitude," said Lorry haughtily, to -the officer when they were all in the office.</p> - -<p>"Naturally," grinned the policeman, "I'm not responsible -for that."</p> - -<p>"Well," ordered George, "search them, take the money -and give it to me. That's all I want. They've got it, I -know they have."</p> - -<p>"You bet we've got it, George," said McGlory, opening -the satchel and fishing out the bunch of bills. "How -does that look to you? Everything's all shipshape, too, -even to the name of the bank on the wrapper."</p> - -<p>George gave a cry of delight and started forward.</p> - -<p>"See him!" cried McGlory, calmly pushing his cousin -back with one hand and thrusting the money into his -breast pocket with the other.</p> - -<p>"I want that, McGlory," snapped George.</p> - -<p>"I know you do, but you don't get it."</p> - -<p>"Come, come," put in the officer. "There's a whole -lot of money in that roll——"</p> - -<p>"Ten thousand, officer."</p> - -<p>"Does it belong to this young fellow?"</p> - -<p>"Not that anybody knows. He stole it, and we've just -got it back from a bunch of crooks who lifted it from -him."</p> - -<p>The officer frowned.</p> - -<p>"Ah," he muttered, "this is beginning to look serious. -He says you two boys are thieves, and now you're accusing -him of being a thief."</p> - -<p>"There's a difference, officer," said McGlory.</p> - -<p>"Difference?"</p> - -<p>"Sure. We can prove our case, and he can't prove -his."</p> - -<p>"How'll you prove it?"</p> - -<p>"Why, by sending a telegram to this young chap's -father, in Madison, Wisconsin. Police headquarters will -keep the money until an answer is received to that -message."</p> - -<p>Lorry went pale and began to tremble.</p> - -<p>"I won't have it that way," he declared hotly.</p> - -<p>"I guess you will," said the officer grimly. "That's a -fair way to settle this business, and you ought to abide -by your father's orders if these other young fellows are -willing to."</p> - -<p>"They've got some game they're trying to play," -scowled George, "and I won't stand for it. I'll make you -all sorry for this," he threatened, turning away.</p> - -<p>The officer grabbed him before he had taken two steps.</p> - -<p>"Where you going, Lorry?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Take your hands off of me!" ordered Lorry, striking -feebly at the big fist that had collared him. "I'm going -where I please, and you've no right to interfere with me."</p> - -<p>"You're going to headquarters," asserted the policeman, -"and it's there you'll stay until an answer is returned -to that telegram."</p> - -<p>"You gave the game a twist, George," grinned -McGlory, "and now here's another twist, by Motor Matt -and me."</p> - -<p>"What made you think of such a foolish move, -George?" asked Matt. "You didn't really think we were -trying to steal that money, did you?"</p> - -<p>"How'd I know?" snarled Lorry sullenly. "I haven't -a very good opinion of McGlory, and if you travel -around with him I can't have a much better opinion of -you."</p> - -<p>Motor Matt was disgusted.</p> - -<p>"McGlory and I will go to headquarters with you, -officer," said he, "and explain this to the chief. The -quicker that telegram is sent, the better."</p> - -<p>The straightforward story which Matt and the cowboy -told the chief of police aroused nothing but pity and contempt -for young Lorry.</p> - -<p>A telegram was forwarded to George's father, at -Madison, and all three of the boys were treated as -guests, rather than as prisoners, by the chief while they -awaited an answer to the message.</p> - -<p>This interval Matt put in to good advantage. In his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> -memorandum book he had the number of the baggage -check which had been turned over to Big John, and -also the name of the railroad by which it had been -issued.</p> - -<p>At Matt's suggestion, the chief sent a couple of officers -to the depot to examine the trunk, and also to warn -the railroad officials to call a policeman at once in case -any man presented the baggage check and tried to claim -the trunk.</p> - -<p>In two hours the two officers were back, highly elated. -They had opened the trunk and had found it to contain, -securely packed in a lot of clothing, a very complete -burglar's kit.</p> - -<p>"We can understand now," remarked the chief, "why -those rascals were so anxious to secure the trunk check. -In order to claim the trunk without the check, they would -have had to identify the property. They would have -looked nice describing that set of burglar's tools, wouldn't -they? My word for it, no one will ever show up at the -station and try to claim that trunk. After what has happened, -it would be altogether too dangerous."</p> - -<p>The trunk and the burglar's kit were confiscated by the -police.</p> - -<p>It was evening before McGlory received a telegram -from his Uncle Dan. The message was a long one, and -entirely satisfactory to the authorities, even if not so -pleasing to Lorry.</p> - -<p>The message ran as follows:</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"Thank you for what you have done. My desire is to -have you take charge of money and to bring George back -home. This Motor Matt, who has already been of so -much aid, might be willing to come with you and help -still further. Use as much of the money as needed for -your expenses. Prefer to have George brought home by -you than to send officers for him. Bring him whether he -wants to come or not. We will take care of him when -he gets here."</p></blockquote> - -<p>"I'll not go," declared Lorry, when the telegram was -read to him.</p> - -<p>"I guess you will, old chap," said McGlory. "There'll -be two of us, and if we have to, you know, we can carry -you to the train."</p> - -<p>If Lorry's looks reflected his feelings, his frame of -mind was anything but enviable. As a precaution, he -was to be left at police headquarters until train time.</p> - -<p>"You're going along, eh, pard?" asked McGlory, as -soon as he had got Matt where he could talk to him privately.</p> - -<p>"It's a sudden turn for me," answered Matt. "Yesterday, -at this time, I hadn't any more idea of going -to Wisconsin than I had of going to China."</p> - -<p>"What difference does it make to you where you are, -Matt, so long as you're making a little good money?"</p> - -<p>"Money isn't everything, Joe."</p> - -<p>"No more it ain't, but in this case, Matt, you're helping -a couple of mighty good people—and by that, I mean -Uncle Dan and Aunt Mollie."</p> - -<p>"If I go, McGlory, it will be to help somebody else."</p> - -<p>"Who?"</p> - -<p>"Why, George, himself. I think there's good stuff in -him if it could be brought out."</p> - -<p>"Hear him! Matt, George is as near a false alarm as -you'll find anywhere. He's not more than half baked; if -he wasn't all of that, do you think he'd have tried to -have us arrested for stealing that money?"</p> - -<p>"He's all worked up, now, and has been for quite a -while," explained Matt. "When a fellow's in that condition, -Joe, he's not wholly responsible for what he does."</p> - -<p>"Talk about making a man of George is all a summer -breeze, Matt. He hasn't a thing to build on, if you -count out the cigarette habit."</p> - -<p>Matt mused for a little while.</p> - -<p>"He likes motor boats, I believe you said, Joe?" he -queried at last.</p> - -<p>"Well, yes," laughed McGlory, "a liking for boats -seems to run in the family. It was a motor boat, you -<i>sabe</i>, that started George on his last dash for the Pacific -Slope and freedom. But what of that?"</p> - -<p>"I was thinking that a course of motor boats might -develop George into a different person."</p> - -<p>McGlory whistled. Then he laughed.</p> - -<p>"You're over my head, Matt," said he, "but that's -nothing. The point is, will you go? I don't care what -sort of a fool notion takes you, just so you see me -through to the end of the trip."</p> - -<p>"I'll go," replied Matt.</p> - -<p>McGlory reached out his hand.</p> - - -<p class="center">THE END.</p> - - - -<p class="center medium"><a name="THE_NEXT_NUMBER_22_WILL_CONTAIN" id="THE_NEXT_NUMBER_22_WILL_CONTAIN">THE NEXT NUMBER (22) WILL CONTAIN</a></p> - -<p class="center huge">Motor Matt's Enemies;</p> - -<p class="center medium">OR,</p> - -<p class="center large">A STRUGGLE FOR THE RIGHT.</p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<blockquote> - -<p>On the Road to Waunakee—Into a Noose, and -Out of It Again—George's Sister—The "Jump -Spark"—By Express, Charges Collect—"Pickerel -Pete"—George and McGlory Missing—Setting -a Snare—Enemies to be Feared—Between -Fire and Water—Chums to the Rescue—How -Fate Threw the Dice—Under the Overturned -Boat—A Dash for the Open—The Power -Boat, Minus the Power—A Reconciliation.</p></blockquote> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span></p> - - - - -<table summary="scaffold" class="bbox"> -<tr><td colspan="2" class="tdc huge">MOTOR STORIES</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr large" style="padding-right: .25em;">THRILLING ADVENTURE</td><td class="tdl large" style="padding-left: .25em;">MOTOR FICTION</td></tr> -</table> - -<p class="center">NEW YORK, July 17, 1909.</p> - -<p class="center"><b>TERMS TO MOTOR STORIES MAIL SUBSCRIBERS.</b></p> - -<p class="center">(<i>Postage Free.</i>)</p> - -<p class="center"><b>Single Copies or Back Numbers, 5c. Each.</b></p> - -<table summary="Terms"> -<tr><td>3 months</td><td class="tdr">65c.</td></tr> -<tr><td>4 months</td><td class="tdr">85c.</td></tr> -<tr><td>6 months</td><td class="tdr">$1.25</td></tr> -<tr><td>One year</td><td class="tdr">2.50</td></tr> -<tr><td>2 copies one year</td><td class="tdr">4.00</td></tr> -<tr><td>1 copy two years</td><td class="tdr">4.00</td></tr> -</table> - -<p><b>How to Send Money</b>—By post-office or express money-order, -registered letter, bank check or draft, at our risk. At your own risk if sent -by currency, coin, or postage-stamps in ordinary letter.</p> - -<p><b>Receipts</b>—Receipt of your remittance is acknowledged by proper -change of number on your label. If not correct you have not been properly -credited, and should let us know at once.</p> - -<table summary="scaffold"> -<tr><td> -<span class="smcap">Ormond G. Smith</span>,<br /> -<span class="smcap">George C. Smith</span>, -</td> -<td style="font-size: 200%">}</td><td style="padding-right: 1em;"><i>Proprietors</i>.</td> -<td class="tdc"> -<b>STREET & SMITH, Publishers,<br /> -79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York City.</b> -</td></tr></table> -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<h2><a name="THE_MAN-EATER" id="THE_MAN-EATER">THE MAN-EATER.</a></h2> - - -<p>I was traveling on duty from Kolicaad on the coast to an -inland station, by a road, crossing the Western Ghauts, -which was entirely new to me. Two bullock carts carried -my kit; my half a dozen servants marched alongside, while -I headed the procession on horseback. Before leaving Kolicaad -I had ascertained that the route was furnished throughout -with travelers' rest houses; that after the first three -marches the country became wild; that a few coffee plantations—managed -by Europeans—lay scattered about the loftier -hills, and that from the third stage—Cerrianaad—right away -to the further foot of the Ghauts, I would traverse heavy -jungle, said to be swarming with wild animals. This last -piece of information would have gladdened a seasoned shikarrie—or -sportsman—but to me it was immaterial, as I was -not much given that way. I was only nineteen years of age, -owned nothing in the shape of firearms, and had yet to -acquire that love of big game shooting which took such -strong hold of me in after years.</p> - -<p>After we passed Cerrianaad the country became more -hilly, the track zigzagged and curved, the dense jungle shut -in the road, hamlets grew fewer and further between, and -the only natives to be seen abroad were wayfarers—all in -large bodies—who told us that they purposely made up -parties for the sake of security. I could see that my followers -were fast becoming uneasy; they huddled together, -while the bullock drivers frantically urged their sluggish -cattle into keeping pace with me on horseback. We reached -the next stage—Wuddagherry—without adventure; but here -we learned something that well-nigh drove my servants into -a panic, and made me ardently wish that I had a gun of any -description in my hands. Soon after our arrival the head -man of Wuddagherry hamlet came to me and asked if I intended -going on to Malanaad the following day. I understood -him, for I had already picked up the local language.</p> - -<p>"Yes," I replied.</p> - -<p>"You must take care to reach it as early as possible, sir; -for it is a long stage, fifteen miles; the road is difficult, and -very dangerous."</p> - -<p>"How is it more dangerous than from Cerrianaad to this?" -I inquired with surprise; for no one at Kolicaad had said -anything about the stage in question being particularly perilous.</p> - -<p>"Almost opposite to Malanaad hamlet, sir, about a quarter -of a mile off the road to the right, an English gentleman -has lately commenced clearing the jungle to make a coffee -plantation. He has built an iron house and iron lines for his -coolies."</p> - -<p>"That's good news, head man: I shall certainly go and -stay the night with the gentleman rather than at the Malanaad -bungalow—all by myself."</p> - -<p>"But, sir," continued the villager, now speaking in an awed -whisper, "a man-eating tiger that is supposed to have wandered -up from the low country on the other side is haunting -the plantation! The Malanaad hamlet is walled in; the -people do not stir out after dark, so the tiger is preying on -the gentleman's coolies, who are not so protected."</p> - -<p>Danger, indeed! I had heard and read of man eaters, but -had never encountered one. What if the demon happened -to be lurking by the roadside as we passed? What if he -should pop out on to us? What could I do? Nothing!</p> - -<p>"Is the gentleman by himself?"</p> - -<p>"No, sir; he has a son of about thirteen years, and a little -daughter, much younger. I saw them all when they rested -here on their way up."</p> - -<p>"No lady?"</p> - -<p>"No, sir; but there was an old ayah who attended on the -little girl."</p> - -<p>I felt sorry for the isolated Englishman, especially when I -thought of his two children, leading a lonely life in a jungle, -cut off from the society of those of their own color. Knowing -how gladly they would welcome me, I should certainly -have claimed the planter's hospitality for one night at least -had not the villager's news about the tiger put me off the -idea. No, I was not going to run any risk: I would go -straight to the Malanaad bungalow.</p> - -<p>After dismissing the head man, I summoned my trembling -followers, heartened them as best I could, and added that we -would start sufficiently early in the morning to insure our -reaching Malanaad well before sundown.</p> - -<p>Accordingly, we set out soon after dawn, and proceeded -in close order, keeping a bright lookout on all sides. The -road wound, dipped, and climbed; the thick jungle lined it -on both flanks, and frequently formed a canopy over our -heads. We heard occasional weird cries in the forest, but -saw nothing; and we met no one till the afternoon, when, -all at once, as we cleared a bend, I saw a narrow road -branching off to the right, and three figures standing under -a tree just where the two tracks joined. One was a European -lad of some thirteen years, the other a flaxen-haired -little girl of eight or so—both wearing sun hats—and the -third an old ayah, or maid; the planter's children, no doubt, -with the maid in attendance. But why there—a quarter of -a mile from their home? Why with only a solitary old native -woman, while a man-eating tiger, not to say other -dangerous animals, perhaps crouched in the very thicket -behind them? My blood curdled as I thought it. No sooner -did they behold me than all three ran forward.</p> - -<p>"Halloa! Who are you?" I asked, dismounting and signing -my carts to halt.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Oh, we are so glad to see you!" answered the boy, -eagerly and breathlessly. "My name is Jimmy Simpson: -this is my sister Maud, and the old woman is her nurse. We -are Mr. Simpson's children: we live up at the plantation, -and—and we are in great trouble."</p> - -<p>"What trouble?" I demanded.</p> - -<p>"A man-eating tiger commenced coming here a few nights -ago, and has killed several of our coolies. My father has -not been able to shoot it. Many of the coolies ran away; -and, as father could not make the plantation without men, -he and Pote have gone down the other side of the hills to -get some."</p> - -<p>"Who's Pote?"</p> - -<p>"Father's assistant. They went the day before yesterday, -leaving us in the care of the servants and the few coolies -who still stayed. That night the tiger came about eight -o'clock, the same time as before, and killed a man who had -gone out of doors. The next morning every coolie and all -our house servants ran away: they said they were too frightened -to stop any longer. But the ayah wouldn't leave Maud. -We are afraid of spending another night by ourselves, so, -as the tiger does not show himself till about eight o'clock, -we came out here, and have been waiting all the afternoon in -hopes of meeting some one who would stay at the bungalow -with us. Father won't be back for a week. Oh, sir, do -come and stay with us!" he concluded pleadingly.</p> - -<p>I thought that if I did halt here—even for a week—and -I explained the reason to my superiors, they would not blame -me. It was against human nature to leave these poor children -alone in their fix. I did not see how I could suggest -their abandoning the house, with all their father's property -in it, and accompanying me to the comparative safety of the -Malanaad bungalow—the very fact of Jimmy Simpson's -expressing no such wish barred the idea. I therefore decided -to give them my companionship—little though it might -afford in the shape of protection. So, telling my people to -go on to the travelers' bungalow, I turned up the side road -with the children.</p> - -<p>In the centre of a clearing stood a corrugated iron house, -with a high-pitched roof, and a veranda running all round, -above which opened some ventilating windows. Several -trees had been allowed to stand close to the house—evidently -to give shade—while at the back was a range of out-houses -for servants, and two long rows of "lines" for the -coolies—all built of the same material as the main house. -Excepting the high ventilators, every door and window was -closed, and not a sound save that of our footsteps broke the -reigning stillness. Young Simpson unlocked a door, and -we entered the bungalow. The ayah brought me some refreshing -drink, which was very welcome after my journey, -and I chatted for some time with the children, with whom -I soon became fast friends.</p> - -<p>"Well," said I at length, "I must leave you for an hour -or so. I have got to see my things safely stowed away at -the travelers' bungalow. Then I'll trot back here for the -night with some of my men."</p> - -<p>"Please don't be longer than you can help, Mr. Geoffrey!" -begged the lad.</p> - -<p>"I'll be as quick as I can," I replied. "Be ready to open -the door when you see us approaching."</p> - -<p>And I hurried away.</p> - -<p>My followers, however, were obdurate, and no amount of -threats or coaxing would induce them to budge from the -travelers' bungalow. During my absence the man in charge, -and the villagers, had been telling them all about the tiger, -and they flatly refused to accompany me to the plantation -house. I had no alternative, therefore, but to go alone.</p> - -<p>I must confess to a strong sensation of nervousness as, -with lantern in hand, I set out on my return journey to the -Simpsons'. But I had picked up an idea somewhere that a -man-eating tiger was peculiarly regular as regarded the time -of his visits to the locality he preyed on. Jimmy had said -that this brute appeared at eight o'clock or thereabouts; so, -it now being only a little past seven, I imagined that I had -forestalled the tiger. I reached the clearing, saw the light -shining through the upper ventilator windows, reconnoitred -as well as the darkness would allow, listened intently, and -then pushed boldly across.</p> - -<p>I had hardly got halfway ere I heard Jimmy's voice, muffled -and indistinct, from within the building.</p> - -<p>"All right, Jimmy!" I answered, dashing on. "Here I -am! Open the door!"</p> - -<p>"Climb! Climb!" I now plainly heard him cry. "The -tiger's close by somewhere!"</p> - -<p>The words temporarily paralyzed me. I looked to see -the monster shoot into the rays of my lantern; I already -felt his fangs at my throat! He must have observed my -approach, and concealed himself—to pounce on me! Jimmy -must have marked the manœuvre, and had shouted a warning -in his childish way! With the beast at the door, so to -speak, of course I did not expect the boy to open it: before -I could slip in the tiger would probably be up, and either -grab me or enter the house. No; the boy was quite right in -keeping the door shut.</p> - -<p>These thoughts flashed through my mind in a moment: the -next, nerved by despair, and roused to action by Jimmy's -reiterated cry of "Climb! Climb!" I glanced wildly about -me and found myself close to one of the shady trees already -alluded to. It was a moderately sized tree, with a smooth, -straight stem, and much foliage at the top. Dropping my -lantern—fortunately, without upsetting it—I threw myself -on that trunk, and frantically shinned up. I was just in -time: I had barely got out of harm's way ere, with a -hideous roar, a long, lanky, mangy-looking tiger squirmed -round the corner of the house, came in a series of bounds to -the tree, and then, rearing on end, tried to hook me down! -I could hear his claws tearing the bark; I expected the cruel -talons to pierce my flesh; but luckily he could not reach me, -and I hauled myself up among the branches into comparative -safety. It now remained to be seen whether the beast could -and would follow me. At the time I knew nothing of the -tiger's climbing powers; so I watched my enemy in an agony -of doubt—to be inexpressibly relieved when I realized that -he could not do it! He was old—as most man-eaters are: -he hung on to the base of the stem, but, after many ineffectual -attempts, he desisted: the task was beyond him: he -was unable to draw himself up!</p> - -<p>For the present I was safe, then, and had time to look -about me. Taking my position in the centre of the tree, I -topped the veranda roof, and I could almost see in through -one of the ventilator windows; but a good six feet yawned -between the inmost tree twig and the veranda eave; a gap -that I could not cover even had I good foothold to spring -from. Nothing remained, therefore, but to make the best -of it, and trust to the feline sneaking off at daylight. Accordingly, -I was about seeking a comfortable branch to spend -the night on when Jimmy called, "Mr. Geoffrey!"</p> - -<p>"Halloa!" I shouted in reply; "I'm safe up the tree, -Jimmy, thanks to your warning."</p> - -<p>"But you are not safe!" he wailed hysterically.</p> - -<p>"Why, where's the danger? The brute has tried to climb -the tree, but failed: he can't get at me."</p> - -<p>"Yes, he can, if he thinks of the wood stack!"</p> - -<p>"What wood stack?"</p> - -<p>"There, at the end of the veranda, just round the corner! -If he climbs by it on to the veranda roof, he can jump from -there into the tree! I've only just thought of it!"</p> - -<p>My lantern rays did not penetrate so far. I peered -through the gloom in the direction indicated, and could -dimly make out a number of log ends projecting beyond the -side wall, and heaped to the full height of the veranda itself. -Clearly, then, if the tiger thought of that stack he would -certainly climb it, come along the veranda roof to the tree, -spring across the gap, seize and carry me with him to the -ground! As I contemplated these probabilities I nigh yielded -to despair: I broke into a cold perspiration, and I murmured<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> -a prayer for aid. That my prayer was answered is proved -by my now living to tell this story. But I had yet to get out -of my fix. I was given little leisure to reflect, for the tiger—as -if Jimmy's words had given him the hint—walked off -and disappeared round the corner; a scrambling, scratching -sound followed, and before I could well believe my eyes, -there came the brute, sneaking along the inclined plane of the -veranda roof!</p> - -<p>Could I—after warning Jimmy to unfasten the door—slip -down the tree and dash into the house? No; though the -varmint could not climb I felt sure he could drop, and that -almost before I touched ground he would be upon me. The -ugly cat crawled along the sloped iron sheeting, halted -abreast of the tree, and set up a hoarse purr on spotting me—cowering -amid the branches. He crept closer and closer -to the eave till he could come no further—then gathered -himself up for a spring! He strained and strained; I expected -to see him shoot across and dig both teeth and claws -into me; yet he came not! I stared at the beast in a wild -fascination of terror. I remember—at that awful moment—being -struck by his aged and unkempt appearance; I remember -hearing the purr gradually give place to a growl of -anger, and then all at once the truth broke on me: that outward -and upward spring was beyond the man-eater; he -would not attempt the feat; I was safe!</p> - -<p>My courage revived, and with it came a fierce longing to -destroy my tormentor, whose foul breath reached and sickened -me even at that distance. Now, another thought suddenly -struck me: was there possibly a gun of some kind in -the house? Hardly; for if so I should probably have seen -it, or Jimmy would have offered me the weapon when I left -that afternoon. Anyhow, I would find out.</p> - -<p>"Jimmy!" I bawled, causing the tiger to start angrily.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Mr. Geoffrey?"</p> - -<p>"The tiger has come on to the veranda roof—as you said; -but he can't manage to spring into the tree, so I'm safe!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, I'm so glad! I was——"</p> - -<p>"I say, have you a gun?"</p> - -<p>"Father took one rifle with him; the other is in the case, -locked up, to keep us from meddling with it."</p> - -<p>"Are there cartridges?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; a beltful in the case."</p> - -<p>"Where's the key?"</p> - -<p>"Father has it."</p> - -<p>"Jimmy," I rejoined imploringly, "break open the case, -load the rifle, open the door a wee bit, and fire at the beast -through the veranda roof. The bullet will penetrate—I'm -sure. He is crouching in a line with the ventilator, just short -of the eave, so you'll know where to aim. I'll make it right -with your father."</p> - -<p>"What's the good?" half whimpered the boy. "I don't -know how to use a rifle."</p> - -<p>Here was a facer! What more was left? But my brain -was busy, and I determined to die hard. Green as I was, -shaken as I was, I resolved to try and shoot the tiger myself!</p> - -<p>"Jimmy, do you think you could manage to pass me the -rifle?"</p> - -<p>"I will if I can; but how?"</p> - -<p>"No use attempting the door—even while the brute is -on the veranda roof; he'd hear you like a shot, and pounce -down on you before you could wink. But could you reach -the ventilator window from the inside? Don't be afraid; -it is too small for him to get his head and shoulders through, -so he can't touch you."</p> - -<p>"But how am I to do it?"</p> - -<p>"Can't you go hand-over-hand up the swing rope, with the -rifle and belt slung on you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I can," he answered readily.</p> - -<p>"Then you could work along the tie beam and reach the -window, couldn't you?"</p> - -<p>"I think so; but even if the window is large enough for -me, how about the tiger outside?"</p> - -<p>"Tell you what: get the rifle and cartridge belt, climb -the swing rope, making as little noise as possible, and straddle -along the tie beam to the window. Directly I see you there, -I'll pretend to descend the tree; the brute will either drop to -the earth from where he now is, or go round by the wood -heap; in either case you could scramble out, chuck me the -rifle and belt, and get through the window again before -the tiger is able to remount the veranda by the wood heap; -that is, if he notices you. Leave the rest to me."</p> - -<p>The boy was plucky to the backbone, and immediately -agreed to carry out my instructions. Presently I heard a -rending, as of a box being broken open; then succeeded a -silence of several minutes, and finally—to my joy—I saw -the lad cautiously peeping over the window sill. Promptly -I made a show of climbing down, energetically shaking the -foliage as I felt my way to the lower branches. My movement -had the desired effect; the tiger raised himself, growled, -and, evidently believing that he had me, down he dropped -with a "thud" to the ground. The coast was clear for -Jimmy!</p> - -<p>"Now, Jimmy!" I shouted, frantically reclimbing upward -and inward, "out you get! He's down below!"</p> - -<p>Quick as thought Jimmy slipped out the rifle and belt and -proceeded to follow them. With my attention divided between -him and the man-eater, I waited in desperate expectancy, -but try as he would, the boy could not pass -through! He essayed head first, then legs first, then this -way, then that way; no, he failed! In my anxiety I had -momentarily taken my eyes off the animal to watch Jimmy. -On recollecting myself, and looking down again, the brute -was nowhere to be seen! Merciful heaven! where had he -gone? I peered on all sides, striving to probe the gloom -beyond the rays of my still burning lantern, but I could not -see him; the monster had vanished! While a sensation of -superstitious terror threatened to overwhelm me, a smothered -ejaculation of triumph came from Jimmy; I glanced -eagerly in his direction, to find that he had at last succeeded -in getting out! He was in the act of dropping to the -veranda roof, when the scrambling, scratching sound which -I had once before heard that night smote on my ear; the -disappearance of the tiger was no longer a mystery: he was -climbing the wood heap!</p> - -<p>"Jimmy!" I shrieked, "get back! For your life get back! -The tiger's climbing the stack!"</p> - -<p>Whether the boy heard me, understood me, or not, or -had taken leave of his senses, I could not tell, for, instead of -obeying me, he clutched both rifle and belt, and floundered -down the slope toward the tree! At the same moment I -saw that the tiger had gained the roof, and was approaching -as fast as he could!</p> - -<p>"Back! For mercy's sake, back!" I yelled despairingly; -but the next instant the lad—after giving a hasty glance at -the tiger—put forth all his young strength and hurled the -rifle in my direction. Mechanically I managed to seize the -piece as it crashed into the branches; the belt followed; I -secured it, and then the plucky boy, scurrying up the inclined -roof, hauled himself to the window and wriggled -through the aperture not half a second before the man-eater -got up to it! Intensely relieved at Jimmy's miraculous -escape, and burning with fury against the accursed animal—the -cause of all our trouble—I simply sat there and sent -bullet after bullet into his vile carcass, continuing the fusillade -till he lay limp and lifeless on the veranda roof!</p> - -<p>No more need be said. I loved that boy, who had shown -a courage and nerve beyond the wildest dreams of fancy. -I love him now as a man, with a reputation for cool pluck -and presence of mind, the promise of which he so signally -exhibited on the occasion of my story. When Mr. Simpson -returned, and I told him all, the satisfaction I derived by -seeing the tears of admiration that dimmed his eyes as I -described his son's gallantry more than compensated me for -my own somewhat unpleasant share in that ever memorable -adventure.</p> - - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2 class="huge bb"> -<a href="images/i1large.jpg"><img src="images/i1.jpg" width="48" height="23" alt="hand" /></a> -<a name="LATEST_ISSUES" id="LATEST_ISSUES">LATEST ISSUES</a> -<a href="images/i2large.jpg"><img src="images/i2.jpg" width="48" height="23" alt="hand" /></a> -</h2> - - -<h3>BUFFALO BILL STORIES</h3> - -<p>The most original stories of Western adventure. The only weekly containing the adventures of the famous -Buffalo Bill. <b>High art colored covers. Thirty-two big pages. Price, 5 cents.</b></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>415—Buffalo Bill's Cumbres Scouts; or, The Wild Pigs Corralled.</p> - -<p>416—Buffalo Bill and the Man-wolf; or, The Mystery of the -Adobe Castle.</p> - -<p>417—Buffalo Bill and His Winged Pard; or, Indian Against -Indian.</p> - -<p>418—Buffalo Bill at Babylon Bar; or, The Mountain Pirates.</p> - -<p>419—Buffalo Bill's Long Arm; or, The Game-cock of Shasta.</p> - -<p>420—Buffalo Bill and Old Weasel-top; or, The Man From -Nowhar.</p> - -<p>421—Buffalo Bill's Steel Arm Pard; or, Old Weasel-top's Mission.</p> - -<p>422—Buffalo Bill's Aztec Guide; or, The White Indian.</p> - -<p>423—Buffalo Bill and Little Firefly; or, Playing with Death.</p> - -<p>424—Buffalo Bill in the Aztec City; or, Little Firefly's Friendship.</p> - -<p>425—Buffalo Bill's Balloon Escape; or, Out of the Grip of the -Great Swamp.</p> - -<p>426—Buffalo Bill and the Guerrillas; or, The Flower Girl of San -Felipe.</p></blockquote> - - -<h3>BRAVE AND BOLD WEEKLY</h3> - -<p>All kinds of stories that boys like. The biggest and best nickel's worth ever offered. <b>High art colored -covers. Thirty-two big pages. Price, 5 cents.</b></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>331—Two Chums Afloat; or, The Cruise of the "Arrow." By -Cornelius Shea.</p> - -<p>332—In the Path of Duty; or, The Fortunes of Officer Dan -Deering. By Harrie Irving Hancock.</p> - -<p>333—A Bid for Fortune; or, True as Steel. By Fred Thorpe.</p> - -<p>334—A Battle with Fate; or, The Baseball Mascot. By Weldon -J. Cobb.</p> - -<p>335—Three Brave Boys; or, Adventures in the Balloon World. -By Frank Sheridan.</p> - -<p>336—Archie Atwood, Champion; or, An All-around Athlete's -Career. By Cornelius Shea.</p> - -<p>337—Dick Stanhope Afloat; or, The Eventful Cruise of the -<i>Elsinore</i>. By Harrie Irving Hancock.</p> - -<p>338—Working His Way Upward; or, From Footlights to Riches. -By Fred Thorpe.</p> - -<p>339—The Fourteenth Boy; or, How Vin Lovell Won Out. By -Weldon J. Cobb.</p> - -<p>340—Among the Nomads; or, Life in the Open. By the author -of "Through Air to Fame."</p> - -<p>341—Bob, the Acrobat; or, Hustle and Win Out. By Harrie -Irving Hancock.</p> - -<p>342—Through the Earth; or, Jack Nelson's Invention. By Fred -Thorpe.</p> - -<p>343—The Boy Chief; or, Comrades of Camp and Trail. By John -De Morgan.</p></blockquote> - - -<h3>MOTOR STORIES</h3> - -<p>The latest and best five-cent weekly. We won't say how interesting it is. See for yourself. <b>High art -colored covers. Thirty-two big pages. Price, 5 cents.</b></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>6—Motor Matt's Red Flier; or, On The High Gear.</p> - -<p>7—Motor Matt's Clue; or, The Phantom Auto.</p> - -<p>8—Motor Matt's Triumph; or, Three Speeds Forward.</p> - -<p>9—Motor Matt's Air-Ship; or, The Rival Inventors.</p> - -<p>10—Motor Matt's Hard Luck; or, The Balloon House Plot.</p> - -<p>11—Motor Matt's Daring Rescue; or, The Strange Case of Helen -Brady.</p> - -<p>12—Motor Matt's Peril; or, Castaway in the Bahamas.</p> - -<p>13—Motor Matt's Queer Find; or, The Secret of the Iron Chest.</p> - -<p>14—Motor Matt's Promise; or, The Wreck of the <i>Hawk</i>.</p> - -<p>15—Motor Matt's Submarine; or, The Strange Cruise of the -<i>Grampus</i>.</p> - -<p>16—Motor Matt's Quest; or, Three Chums in Strange Waters.</p> - -<p>17—Motor Matt's Close Call; or, The Snare of Don Carlos.</p> - -<p>18—Motor Matt in Brazil; or, Under the Amazon.</p> - -<p>19—Motor Matt's Defiance; or, Around the Horn.</p> - -<p>20—Motor Matt Makes Good; or, Another Victory for the Motor -Boys.</p></blockquote> - - -<p class="center"><i>For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on receipt of price, -5 cents per copy, in money or postage stamps, by</i></p> - -<p class="center large">STREET & SMITH, Publishers, 79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p><b class="medium">IF YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS</b> of our Weeklies and cannot procure them from your newsdealer, they can be -obtained from this office direct. Fill out the following Order Blank and send it to -us with the price of the Weeklies you want and we will send them to you by return mail. <b>POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY.</b></p></blockquote> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<table summary="form" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5"> - -<tr><td colspan="6" class="tdr sig">________________________ <i>190</i></td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="6"><i>STREET & SMITH, 79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York City.</i><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Dear Sirs: Enclosed please find</i> ___________________________ <i>cents for which send me</i>:</span> -</td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td><b>TIP TOP WEEKLY,</b></td><td class="tdc"><b>Nos.</b></td><td class="br">______________________</td> -<td><b>BUFFALO BILL STORIES,</b></td><td class="tdc"><b>Nos.</b></td><td>______________________</td></tr> - -<tr><td><b>NICK CARTER WEEKLY,</b></td><td class="tdc"><b>"</b></td><td class="br">______________________</td> -<td><b>BRAVE AND BOLD WEEKLY,</b></td><td class="tdc"><b>"</b></td><td>______________________</td></tr> - -<tr><td><b>DIAMOND DICK WEEKLY,</b></td><td class="tdc"><b>"</b></td><td class="br">______________________</td> -<td><b>MOTOR STORIES,</b></td><td class="tdc"><b>"</b></td><td>______________________</td></tr> - -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="6" class="tdc"> -<i>Name</i> ________________ <i>Street</i> ________________ <i>City</i> ________________ <i>State</i> ________________<br /> -</td></tr></table> -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<h2><a name="A_GREAT_SUCCESS" id="A_GREAT_SUCCESS">A GREAT SUCCESS!!</a></h2> - -<hr class="full" /> - -<p class="center huge u">MOTOR STORIES</p> - - -<p>Every boy who reads one of the splendid adventures of Motor -Matt, which are making their appearance in this weekly, is at once -surprised and delighted. Surprised at the generous quantity of -reading matter that we are giving for five cents; delighted with the -fascinating interest of the stories, second only to those published -in the Tip Top Weekly.</p> - -<p>Matt has positive mechanical genius, and while his adventures -are unusual, they are, however, drawn so true to life that the reader can -clearly see how it is possible for the ordinary boy to experience them.</p> - - -<hr class="full" /> - -<p class="center"><b><i>HERE ARE THE TITLES NOW READY AND THOSE TO BE PUBLISHED</i>:</b></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>1—Motor Matt; or, The King of the Wheel.</p> - -<p>2—Motor Matt's Daring; or, True to His Friends.</p> - -<p>3—Motor Matt's Century Run; or, The Governor's -Courier.</p> - -<p>4—Motor Matt's Race; or, The Last Flight of the -"Comet."</p> - -<p>5—Motor Matt's Mystery; or, Foiling a Secret -Plot.</p> - -<p>6—Motor Matt's Red Flier; or, On the High Gear.</p> - -<p>7—Motor Matt's Clue; or, The Phantom Auto.</p> - -<p>8—Motor Matt's Triumph; or, Three Speeds -Forward.</p> - -<p>9—Motor Matt's Air Ship; or, The Rival Inventors.</p> - -<p>10—Motor Matt's Hard Luck; or, The Balloon -House Plot.</p> - -<p>11—Motor Matt's Daring Rescue; or, The Strange -Case of Helen Brady.</p> - -<p>12—Motor Matt's Peril; or, Cast Away in the -Bahamas.</p> - -<p>13—Motor Matt's Queer Find; or, The Secret of the -Iron Chest.</p> - -<p>14—Motor Matt's Promise; or, The Wreck of the -"Hawk."</p> - -<p>15—Motor Matt's Submarine; or, The Strange Cruise -of the "Grampus."</p> - -<p>16—Motor Matt's Quest; or, Three Chums in -Strange Waters.</p> - -<p>17—Motor Matt's Close Call; or, The Snare of Don -Carlos.</p> - -<p>18—Motor Matt in Brazil; or, Under the Amazon.</p> - -<p>19—Motor Matt's Defiance; or, Around the Horn.</p> - -<p>20—Motor Matt Makes Good; or, Another Victory -for the Motor Boys.</p></blockquote> - -<p class="center small">To be Published on July 12th.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>21—Motor Matt's Launch; or, A Friend in Need.</p></blockquote> - -<p class="center small">To be Published on July 19th.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>22—Motor Matt's Enemies; or, A Struggle for the -Right.</p></blockquote> - -<p class="center small">To be Published on July 26th.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>23—Motor Matt's Prize; or, The Pluck That Wins.</p></blockquote> - -<p class="center small">To be Published on August 2nd.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>24—Motor Matt on the Wing; or, Flying for Fame -and Fortune.</p></blockquote> - - -<p class="large center">PRICE, FIVE CENTS</p> - -<p class="center">At all newsdealers, or sent, postpaid, by the publishers upon receipt of the price.</p> - -<hr class="full" /> - -<table summary="scaffold" style="width: 50%;"> -<tr class="medium"><td style="width: 33%">STREET & SMITH,</td><td class="tdc"><i>Publishers</i>,</td><td class="tdr" style="width: 33%">NEW YORK</td></tr> -</table> -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<div class="transnote"> - -<h2><a name="Transcribers_Notes" id="Transcribers_Notes">Transcriber's Notes:</a></h2> - - -<p>Added table of contents.</p> - -<p>Cover images may be clicked to view larger versions.</p> - -<p>Retained inconsistent spacing of "houseboat" vs. "house boat."</p> - -<p>Page 9, removed unnecessary comma from "rope down." Corrected "You're" to "Your" in "Your father was a rowdy."</p> - -<p>Page 12, added missing quote after "see if they come back."</p> - -<p>Page 15, added missing "ing" to "catching Red-whiskers."</p> - -<p>Page 18, corrected double comma after "a humorous glance at Ross and Kinky." Corrected typo "bame" in "only yourself to blame."</p> - -<p>Page 19, added missing open quote to "Don't be a fool!"</p> - -<p>Page 23, capitalized "Wait" in "Wait until we can get."</p> - -<p>Page 25, corrected "yawninig" to "yawning."</p> - -<p>Page 30, corrected typo "ventilater" in "upper ventilator windows."</p> - -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Motor Matt's Launch, by Stanley R. 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Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - - -</pre> - -</body> -</html> diff --git a/old/50533-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/50533-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index a47f539..0000000 --- a/old/50533-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/50533-h/images/coverlarge.jpg b/old/50533-h/images/coverlarge.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index f88a064..0000000 --- a/old/50533-h/images/coverlarge.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/50533-h/images/i1.jpg b/old/50533-h/images/i1.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 2823ba1..0000000 --- a/old/50533-h/images/i1.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/50533-h/images/i1large.jpg b/old/50533-h/images/i1large.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 8c57edd..0000000 --- a/old/50533-h/images/i1large.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/50533-h/images/i2.jpg b/old/50533-h/images/i2.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index ddfe1a4..0000000 --- a/old/50533-h/images/i2.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/50533-h/images/i2large.jpg b/old/50533-h/images/i2large.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index c1abdb3..0000000 --- a/old/50533-h/images/i2large.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/50533.txt b/old/50533.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 09209e3..0000000 --- a/old/50533.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4876 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Motor Matt's Launch, by Stanley R. Matthews - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Motor Matt's Launch - or, A Friend in Need - -Author: Stanley R. Matthews - -Release Date: November 22, 2015 [EBook #50533] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOTOR MATT'S LAUNCH *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Demian Katz and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Images -courtesy of the Digital Library@Villanova University -(http://digital.library.villanova.edu/)) - - - - - - - - - - MOTOR STORIES - - THRILLING - ADVENTURE - - MOTOR - FICTION - - NO. 21 - JULY 17, 1909 - - FIVE - CENTS - - - MOTOR MATT'S - LAUNCH - - OR A FRIEND - IN NEED - - _BY THE AUTHOR - OF MOTOR MATT_ - - [Illustration: _"Steady!" cried Motor Matt; - "you'll be all right in - a minute."_] - - STREET & SMITH, - PUBLISHERS, - NEW YORK. - - - - -MOTOR STORIES - -THRILLING ADVENTURE MOTOR FICTION - -_Issued Weekly. By subscription $2.50 per year. Entered according to -Act of Congress in the year 1909, in the Office of the Librarian of -Congress, Washington, D. C., by_ STREET & SMITH, _79-89 Seventh Avenue, -New York, N. Y._ - - No. 21. NEW YORK, July 17, 1909. Price Five Cents. - - - - -Motor Matt's Launch - -OR, - -A FRIEND IN NEED. - -By the author of "MOTOR MATT." - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER I. NEW FRIENDS AND NEW FORTUNES. - CHAPTER II. THE RAFFLE. - CHAPTER III. PING PONG OBJECTS. - CHAPTER IV. ANOTHER RESCUE. - CHAPTER V. AN ODD TANGLE. - CHAPTER VI. THE RICH MAN'S SON. - CHAPTER VII. A PLAN THAT FAILED. - CHAPTER VIII. A CHASE ACROSS THE BAY. - CHAPTER IX. THE LION'S MOUTH. - CHAPTER X. THE MOUTH CLOSES. - CHAPTER XI. SURPRISING EVENTS. - CHAPTER XII. M'GLORY'S RUN OF LUCK. - CHAPTER XIII. WAITING AND WORRYING. - CHAPTER XIV. PING STARS HIMSELF. - CHAPTER XV. A NEW TWIST--BY GEORGE. - CHAPTER XVI. ANOTHER TWIST--BY MATT AND M'GLORY. - THE MAN-EATER. - - - - -CHARACTERS THAT APPEAR IN THIS STORY. - - - =Matt King=, otherwise Motor Matt. - - =Joe McGlory=, a young cowboy who proves himself a lad of worth and - character, and whose eccentricities are all on the humorous side. A - good chum to tie to--a point Motor Matt is quick to perceive. - - =George Lorry=, a lad who has begun steering a wrong course, and in - whom Matt recognizes a victim of circumstances rather than a youth - who is innately conceited, domineering and unscrupulous. - - =Ping Pong=, a young Chinese who wins a motor launch in a raffle and - insists on working for Motor Matt. Full of heathen vagaries, he drops - mysteriously out of the story--but is destined to be heard from again. - - ="Red-whiskers,"= otherwise "Big John," an unscrupulous person who - takes his dishonest toll wherever he can find it; but, in crossing - Motor Matt's course, he meets with rather more than he has bargained - for. - - =Kinky and Ross=, two pals of Big John. - - =Landers=, another pal who proves treacherous. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -NEW FRIENDS AND NEW FORTUNES. - - -"What next?" - -Not often does a boy put that question to himself and receive an answer -as quickly as Motor Matt received his. - -The king of the motor boys was out among the sand dunes on the Presidio -Military Reservation. He had started to walk to the old fort at the -Golden Gate, but had dropped down on one of the sand heaps, thinking--a -little moodily, it must be admitted--over his present situation, and -what lay ahead. - -It was a fine morning. The sky was pale blue and without a cloud, -and the bay was as blue as indigo. The trade wind blew over him, and -tempered the heat, and the salt tang in the air reminded him of the -long voyage around the Horn which he and his chums had completed no -more than a week before. - -Alcatraz was so close that it almost seemed to Matt as though he could -take a running jump from the shore and clear the intervening stretch -of water, and beyond Alcatraz, like a purple pyramid, arose Tamalpais, -looking westward across the Pacific. - -Matt was gloomy because, early that morning, he had separated from his -two chums, Dick Ferral and Carl Pretzel. Dick had received a telegram -from his uncle, in Denver, asking him to come east at once. At his -invitation, Carl had gone with him. Both lads urged Matt to accompany -them, but he had declined, thinking more seriously than he had ever -done of some "prep" school and a course at Leland Stanford. If he was -to take that step, seeking new friends and new fortunes, why not take -it now? - -There was something more in life, Matt told himself, than just knocking -around the world, meeting all kinds of trouble and getting the upper -hand of it. - -But there were the motors, the explosive engines Matt loved so well, -and had worked among so long. If he entered some academy, he would have -to turn his back on the humming cylinders, the rushing wheels, and the -racing propellers. - -That thought gave him a pang. The gasoline motor was just coming into -its own, and the field that lay before it was so wide as to stagger -the imagination. Could Matt tear himself away from the fascination -of terminals, commutators and spark plugs, from differential and -transmission gear, from spray nozzles and float feeds, from the steady -explosion, the perfect mixture of air and gasoline, the humming of the -coils, and the beautifully balanced reciprocity of a running motor? - -Well, after a while, perhaps, but not--not right away. - -"What next?" he asked himself. - -"Huh!" came a sound, half-grunt and half-greeting, from directly in -front of him. - -During his reflections, Matt's head had bowed forward and his eyes -had fixed themselves vacantly on the gray sand. He raised his glance -abruptly, and saw within a yard of him a young fellow in dingy -sombrero, faded blue flannel shirt, and corduroy trousers. - -The lad could not have been more than seventeen. His face was tanned a -deep bronze, and his eyes were as black as midnight. His nose was what -is termed a "snub," and gave his face a droll, humorous look. As he -slouched in front of Matt he had his hands in his pockets. - -For a full minute Matt and the stranger surveyed each other. - -"Huh!" said the stranger again, pulling a hand out of his pocket to -jerk the brim of his hat down over one eye. "Got any sand?" he inquired. - -"Sand?" echoed Matt. - -"Sure--s-a-n-d, sand. I'm game as a hornet myself, and I reckon I can -lay holt of you and wind you up like an eight-day clock. Say, try me a -whirl, catch-as-catch-can. If I can't put you on your back in a brace -of shakes, I'll eat my spurs. Dare you!" - -The stranger backed off, and pushed up his sleeves. A wide grin crossed -his face and his black eyes twinkled. - -"What have you got against me?" asked Matt. "Why do you want to fight?" - -"Shucks! You got to have a reason for every blamed thing? Come at me. -Dare you--dare you! I'm hungry to caper--and you ain't going to hold -back on a feller when he's _hungry_, are you?" - -Matt laughed. - -"Well, no," he answered, getting up. - -Then, without any ifs, ands, or whyfors, the king of the motor boys and -the stranger rushed together. - -It was the "double grapevine" that did the business for the stranger. -In ten seconds, by the watch, he went into the air and dropped down on -the soft sand with a _chug_ that left him dazed and bewildered. Then he -sat up and stared. - -"Well, well, well!" he sputtered. He was still grinning, and his black -eyes traveled over Matt with wonder and admiration. "You the Tur'ble -Turk in disguise?" he inquired. - -"Hardly," laughed Matt. "You must have learned wrestling in an -Agricultural School." - -"Mebby," answered the other, picking himself up, "but I ain't diving -into my wannegan any, at that. You can't give me another jolt like -that, pard. Two out of three, you know. First fall for the gent in the -leather cap--but the next one's mine. Whoop-ee!" - -The stranger, bareheaded and sleeves rolled to his elbows, rushed -at Matt like a hurricane. Matt side-stepped, whirled, caught his -antagonist from behind and shouldered him like a bag of meal. The next -instant he had dropped him, and squirmed out from under his gripping -fingers. - -"Gee, man!" gasped the stranger, rubbing his hand over his eyes. "Speak -to me about that, oh, _do_! He lifts me up and sets me down, and all my -caperin' don't amount to shucks. Ain't it scandalous to be hip-locked -with like that?" - -"Got enough?" asked Matt. - -"Plenty, _amigo_." The stranger climbed to his feet, picked up his hat -and reflectively slapped the sand out of it. "Down where I come from, a -feller can 'most always tell when he's got enough. When did you break -out on this part of the map?" - -"A week ago." - -"What label do you tote?" - -"King, Matt King." - -The strange youth came within one of dropping his hat. - -"Speak to me about _that_!" he gasped, his eyes widening. "Why, I might -as well have wrestled with a locomotive and tried to stand it on its -headlight in the right of way! Say, I've read about _you_! You're the -king of the motor boys--the big high boy who brought that submarine -around South Americy, and turned her over to Uncle Sam here in 'Frisco. -_Gracias!_" - -"What are you thanking me for?" - -"Because you could have tied me into a bowknot and tossed me into -the bay--and you didn't. Next time I hip-lock with a cyclone I hope -somebody will put a tag on me and ship me to an asylum for the -feeble-minded. My name's McGlory, Joe McGlory, and when I'm to home I -hang up my lid in Tucson. Shake, Motor Matt. You sure stack up pretty -high with me." - -"Glad to know you, McGlory," said Matt, highly edified, giving the -youth's hand a cordial pressure. "Is it your custom to take a fall out -of every acquaintance you make?" - -"Well, it's sort of satisfyin', when you make friends with a galoot, to -know which is the best man. It shows you what he's got in him that you -can depend on in a pinch, see? I reckon you think I've got everything -but the long ears, eh? Don't make a mistake about that, pard. I'm not -so foolish as you might think. Tell me something!" - -"What?" - -"While you've been in 'Frisco have you seen anything of a feller about -my heft and height, scar an inch long over his right eyebrow, answerin' -to the name of George Lorry?" - -Matt shook his head. - -"Haven't seen him," he answered. "Are you looking for a fellow -answering that description?" - -"I am, a heap." - -The grin, which seemed almost perpetual on McGlory's face, faded into -an earnest expression as he mentioned the lad he was looking for. - -"Did you come to this reservation looking for him?" went on Matt. - -"Nary, pard." McGlory faced the boy, and waved his hand toward the -life-saving station ahead, and to the left of them, on the shore. -"I'm mortal fond of boats," he went on. "Kind of queer, that, don't -you think, for a galoot that's passed pretty near his whole life in -the mines and in the cattle ranges? Anyway, that's me. I can't cross -the ferry without gettin' seasick, but, all the same, everything -that floats tickles me more than I can tell. I've been down to the -life-saving station looking at the surf boat." - -"I'm fond of boats myself," said Matt, "especially motor boats. There's -something on the ground that must belong to you, McGlory," he added, -pointing to the sand near where McGlory had fallen, the first time. - -The young cowboy looked at the object, and then recovered it with a -whoop. The object was a small, oblong square of pasteboard. - -"It's a ticket for the raffle," McGlory explained. "There's two hundred -of 'em out, and I've got sixty." - -"Raffle?" queried Matt. - -"Sure. A little old motor launch is goin' to be raffled off, over at -Tiburon, this afternoon. Say, that boat's a streak! She can show her -heels to anythin' in San Francisco Bay. Speak to me about that, will -you! I've got sixty chances out of two hundred for baggin' her. Come -over with me to the raffle, pard. I've cottoned to you, and you're my -style from the ground up. What say?" - -"Can you run a motor launch?" asked Matt. - -"Don't know the first thing about it." - -"What do you want with such a boat, then, if it makes you seasick to -ride on the water, and if you don't know how to run a motor?" - -"Shucks! Whenever I get a notion I play it up strong, no matter whether -there's any reason in it or not. That's Joe McGlory from spurs to -headpiece, and everybody in Tucson will tell you the same. Are you with -me, Matt? If you are, we'll slide back through the reservation, and -jump the cars." - -Matt had already conceived a liking for young McGlory. There was -something mysterious about him, and a mystery is always attractive. - -A few moments later the king of the motor boys was strolling along -the old board walk between the big Presidio barracks and the row of -officers' houses, side by side with his new friend. - -New friends and new fortunes, ran his thoughts. How were they to turn -out, and what were they to be? - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -THE RAFFLE. - - -"There she is, Matt; and it's apples to ashes she's the fastest thing -that floats. Why, she can run like a scared coyote makin' for home and -mother. I've seen her perform, pard, and when she goes any place she -arrives just before she starts. Speak to me about that, please. Squint -at her good and hard, and tell me what you think." - -Motor Matt and Joe McGlory had eaten their dinner at a restaurant in -Market Street, and had caught the one-o'clock boat across the bay to -Tiburon. It was now a quarter to two, and they were standing on a small -wharf, not far from the ferry landing, looking down on a trim little -boat. There were about a dozen others, men and boys, lounging on the -wharf. The raffle was to come off at two, and most of the idlers, -presumably, had bought tickets, and were waiting to "put their fortune -to the touch." - -The boat was an eighteen-footer, some three feet beam, and looked as -though she could "git up and git" if enough ginger were thrown into her -propeller. She was in charge of a boy who had let her drift out to the -end of a ten-foot painter. - -"Pull her in," called Matt to the boy. "I'd like to look at her engine." - -The boy laid hold of the painter, and drew the boat up alongside the -wharf. Matt dropped into her, and lifted one side of the hinged hood -that protected the motor. - -He found that the engine consisted of two horizontal opposed cylinders, -and was as neat, simple, and compact a marine motor as any he had ever -seen. The gasoline tank was in the nose of the boat. - -"Ten horse power," mused Matt. - -"You've struck it," said the boy. - -After a five-minute examination the only fault Matt had to find with -the machinery lay in the reversing gear. The brake band was not -properly adjusted, but was set so that it dragged on the drum, which -could hardly fail to result in a reduction of speed. - -When Matt climbed up on the wharf again McGlory met him with an eager -question as to what he thought of the _Sprite_, which was the name of -the little craft. - -"She's all right," answered Matt, "and ought to run like a singed cat." - -"Worth a couple of hundred plunks?" - -"The motor alone is worth a hundred and fifty, and seems to be as good -as new." - -"Whoop!" exulted McGlory. "Somebody's going to get her for a -cartwheel--one single, solitary piece of the denomination of eight -bits. Mebby it's me? _Quien sabe?_" - -"There were two hundred tickets, you say, and they were sold at a -dollar each?" - -"Keno, correct, and then some." - -"And you have sixty tickets, Joe?" - -"Again your bean is on the right number, pard." - -"Well, if you get the boat she will have cost you sixty dollars." - -"But it's only one ticket out of the sixty that wins her, Matt. -Fifty-nine plunks are squandered, and it's one big dollar that pulls -her down to me. I'd have bought more, if I'd had the _dinero_." - -"I might take a chance myself," observed Matt, "although I haven' any -more use for a motor launch here in 'Frisco than has a stray cowboy by -the name of McGlory." - -"Nary, you won't, Matt," said McGlory. "Tickets are all gone." - -"What in the world are you going to do with the craft if you win her?" - -"I can't tell how nervous you make me, wanting a reason for every -blooming thing. The notion hit me plumb between the eyes, Matt, and -that's all there is to it. But if I can't use the _Sprite_ I can sell -her, can't I? And if I did want to go cruising, I've got you to run -her for me! Oh, speak to me about that. But," and here McGlory's face -fell, "I'm not going to get her. Johnny Hardluck has been running neck -and neck with me ever since I was knee-high to a clump of cactus. If -I'd have bought a hundred and ninety-nine tickets, the pasteboard I -failed to corral would be the one that bobbed up when the wheel stopped -runnin'. That's me, but I'm so plumb locoed that I keep trying to bust -this hard-luck blockade. What's that--a twenty-dollar gold piece?" - -Matt had stooped down while McGlory was talking, and picked up a flat -object from the ground in front of him. - -"A baggage check," answered Matt. "Some of the crowd here must have -dropped it. If we could find----" - -Just then, a man appeared carrying his derby hat in his hand. The hat -was filled with numbered slips. - -"Gents," called the man, "this here drawin' for the _Sprite_ is now -a-goin' to take place. Somebody's a-goin' to get that little streak o' -greased lightnin' for a dollar. She's a good boat, an' wouldn't be sold -for twice two hundred if her owner hadn't tumbled into a stretch of -hard luck. She's done her mile in four minutes, the _Sprite_ has, right -here in the bay. This here hat is filled with slips o' paper numbered -from one to two hundred, like the tickets. One of 'em's goin' to be -drawed by the kid, who'll be blindfolded for the occasion. The lucky -number the kid first pulls from the hat takes the boat." - -Cheers from the assembled crowd greeted the "kid" as he climbed out of -the boat and allowed a handkerchief to be tied over his eyes. Then, -with much formality, and while the breathless crowd watched, the -youngster's grimy hand went into the hat and pushed around wrist-deep -among the slips. - -"If the feller that gets the boat lives over in 'Frisco," pursued the -man, while the boy dallied provokingly with the slips, "he won't have -to wait for the next boat back. All he's got to do is to jump into the -_Sprite_, head her where he wants to go, and cut loose. She's full o' -oil and gasoline, an' could go from here to Vallejo without takin' on -any more." - -The boy's hand lifted from the hat and held up a slip. - -"Number seventy-three," read the man; "number seventy-three is the -lucky ticket, an' gets the _Sprite_. Who's got number seventy-three?" - -"Stung again!" said McGlory gloomily, taking a handful of tickets from -his pocket and tossing them into the air. "I might just as well say moo -and chase myself. Sixty _pesos_ gone where the woodbine twineth, and -McGlory's got another lesson in the way luck's cut him out of her herd. -Mebby it's just as well. I've got about as much use for a motor launch -as a yaller dog for the tin can tied to the end of his tail, but the -notion that I wanted the thing sure hit me hard." - -"You ought to put a curb on those notions of yours, Joe," said Matt. -"They seem to be pretty expensive." - -"Shucks! Well, I get a couple o' square miles of fun nursing the -notions along, anyways. It's hoping for things that makes a feller feel -good; he never steps so high, wide, and handsome after he gets 'em. -Now----" - -Just here there came an excited chirp, followed by a shrill cackle of -joy. A Chinese boy, not more than fifteen or sixteen, broke through -the disappointed throng of whites, his queue flying, and his blue silk -blouse fluttering. - -"My gottee! Hoop-a-la! My ticket him seventy-tlee! My gottee chug-chug -boatee." - -"Happy days!" scowled McGlory, his eyes on the young Chinaman. "If that -washee-washee yaller mug hasn't pulled down the prize I'm a sick Injun. -And here's me with sixty tickets, and him with only _one_! Speak to -me about that! What sort of a low-down thing is luck, anyway, to pass -up a respectable white, with sixty chances, and dump that boat onto -a Chink with only one! Sufferin' sister! Let's go some place, Matt, -where we can be away from the crowd and by ourselves. I'm in a mood for -reflection--like old Jack Bisbee was when the government mule kicked -at him and set off a box of dynamite. I've got it in the neck, as per -usual, and I want to say things to myself." - -"Wait a minute, Joe," returned Matt. "Let's watch the Chinaman." - -The man who had "bossed" the drawing examined the Chinaman's ticket. - -"It's seventy-three, all right," he remarked. "Where you gettee, -Charley?" - -"'Melican man no gottee dol pay fo' laundry," the Celestial answered; -"him givee China boy ticket." - -"It was sure a good play for you. There's your boat. Take her." - -The yellow boy ran down to the edge of the wharf, dancing around in his -wooden shoes, and crooning ecstatically to himself. - -"My gottee boat, my gottee boat! Hoop-a-la! Where row sticks?" he -demanded, turning to the man who had been in charge of the raffle. - -"That's a motor boat, Charley," grinned the man. "You don't need any -row sticks." - -The yellow boy, still chattering to himself, slipped from the wharf -into the boat. One of the men, alive to the humor of the situation, -pulled the painter off the post and threw it into the craft after him. - -"How you makee lun?" inquired the new owner of the _Sprite_, taking his -seat at the steering wheel. - -The bystanders began nudging each other in the ribs. There was -a delightful prospect ahead of them, in watching this guileless -Celestial, who knew nothing about motors, trying to run a motor boat. - -Half a dozen voices called down directions for switching on the spark, -starting the flow of gasoline, and getting the engine to going. - -"He'll get into trouble," cried Matt, pushing his way through the crowd. - -"What's the diff?" guffawed a blear-eyed individual, with a husky -laugh. "It's only a chink, anyhow." - -Matt paid no attention to this remark. - -"You'd better look out, Charley," he called to the Chinaman. - -"My gottee, you no gottee," the yellow boy answered. "You no savvy -China boy's pidgin; him savvy plenty fine. Hoop-a-la!" - -The motor began to pop, and then to settle down into a steady hum. The -China boy was fairly palpitating with excitement. Grabbing at a lever, -he threw the power into the propeller and the _Sprite_ jumped ahead -along the wharf, rubbing her gunwale against the planks. Frantically -the Celestial yanked at the steering wheel. The _Sprite_ turned her -nose into the wharf and tried to climb out of the water. - -"She ain't no bubble wagon, chink!" roared the delighted crowd; "don't -bring her ashore!" - -"Turn the wheel the other way!" shouted some one else. "If we can head -the rat-eater right, he'll go plumb through the Golden Gate to China." - -In the confusion of yells, the yellow boy caught the suggestion and -whirled the wheel the other way. In answer to this sudden twist of the -helm, the boat made a hair-raising turn, going over so far that she -almost showed her garboard strake, then she flung away like a race -horse. - -A group of three piles arose out of the water, half a cable's length -from the wharf. The _Sprite_ caught them a glancing blow. There was a -terrific jolt, and those on the landing had a glimpse of a Chinaman -in the air, his hat and sandals flying in three different directions. -He came down headfirst in fifteen feet of water, while the _Sprite_ -sheered away from the piles and struck a bee line for Sausalito. - -Matt, seeing that disaster was sure to happen, had jumped into a -rowboat, and was bending to the oars. There might be fun in baiting a -Chinaman in that way, but he could not see it. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -PING PONG OBJECTS. - - -Motor Matt's first intention was to fish the China boy out of the -water. He had barely started in the lad's direction, however, when he -saw McGlory teetering on the edge of the wharf and throwing a rope. - -"Whoosh!" gulped the China boy, as he bobbed to the surface and laid -hold of the rope. "No likee boatee! My gottee, no wantee. Whoosh!" - -Seeing that the lad was as good as rescued, Matt turned his attention -to the runaway launch. By some freak of the steering gear the boat was -cutting away in a straight line. - -The rowboat Matt had secured for the occasion had been tied well to the -south of the piles into which the Chinese had run the _Sprite_. The -launch, describing a turn before she struck into a straightaway course, -would have to pass a point directly abreast of Matt. - -By quick work with the oars he could reach the point in time to lay -hold of the launch. - -Under his strong arms the rowboat leaped out across the water, and -then, with a quick push on one oar and an equally quick pull on the -other, the boat was laid broadside on to the course the runaway -_Sprite_ was taking. - -Not a second too soon was this accomplished. Hardly had Matt dropped -the oars when the _Sprite_ came plunging up beside him. - -Leaning out over the side of the rowboat, he grabbed the gunwale of the -_Sprite_. Both boats were hauled together, and the rowboat was towed -along at a fierce clip--but only for a moment. - -Out of one boat and into the other Matt scrambled, deftly avoiding the -swamping of either craft. A minute later he was at the steering wheel -and the levers, and had slowed down and turned the _Sprite_ back. - -Yells and cheers greeted his successful manoeuvre; and when he regained -the wharf, towing the rowboat, a dozen willing hands reached down to -catch and secure the painters. - -"A dandy piece of work, you hear _me_!" bellowed one of the crowd. - -"You didn't expect Motor Matt to play lame duck while pullin' off a -trick like that, did you?" came the voice of McGlory. "Shucks! that was -as easy for him as sitting in at grub pile." - -"Say," cried the blear-eyed person, "is he the young thunderbolt as -brought that submarine around from the Atlantic?" - -"He's the chap." - -This piece of information caused the crowd to develop a tremendous -amount of interest in the king of the motor boys--more interest than he -cared to claim. - -"Where's the Chinaman, Joe?" he asked, with difficulty extricating -himself from the crowd, and making his way to McGlory's side. - -"Right here, Matt," answered the cowboy, leading the way to a pile -of old timber on which the dejected Celestial was sitting. "He ain't -feelin' quite as chipper as he was a spell ago. 'Melican man's boatee -didn't set well, and he's got a bad attack of the blues." - -"Hello, Charley!" exclaimed Matt, leaning forward and slapping the -yellow boy on his wet shoulder. "Where do you want that boat? I'll take -it across the bay for you if that's where you want it to go." - -"No wantee," was the doleful reply. "Him debble boat; go -sizz-sizz-sizzle, mebby so sendee China boy topside." - -"But you've won it, and it's yours." - -"No wantee," was the decided response. "My givee you fi' dol you takee." - -McGlory exploded a laugh and fell down the timbers. - -"Speak to me about that, will you?" he gasped. "He's willing to give -you five dollars, Matt, to take the boat off his hands." - -The blear-eyed man pushed closer. - -"See here, chink," said he, "don't you be a fool jest because you got a -chanst. What's the use of givin' a feller money to take the boat? I'll -give you a ten-dollar bill for it, if that's the way you feel." - -McGlory pulled himself off the pile of timber and stepped in front of -the man. - -"I wonder if you wouldn't?" he scoffed. - -"What's it to you, anyhow?" growled the man. "Who give you any right to -butt in? If the chink wants to sell the boat I got a right to buy it." - -"You ain't got a right to rob him, howsumever, and I'm not going to -loaf around with my hands in my pockets and see you do it." - -"Blather! What's a chink, anyhow?" - -"A chap's got to be treated square," spoke up Matt, "no matter whether -his skin's white, black, or yellow." - -"Look here, Charley," persisted the man, "I'll give you fifty cold -dollars for that boat." - -"I'll give him seventy-five," put in another man. "If the launch is -going at a bargain I might as well hand over a bid. What do you say, -Charley?" - -The China boy's little eyes began to snap and sparkle as the idea of -profit drifted through his head. - -"Let them bid, Charley," said Matt. "I'll give you ten dollars more -than the highest bid they make." - -This headed off any further attempt to get the better of the Chinaman. -After lingering in the vicinity for a few minutes, the last of the -crowd departed in the direction of the ferry house. - -"You takee boat," said the Chinaman to Matt. "You ketchee, you takee. -Huh?" - -"For how much?" queried Matt. "I haven't any use for the craft, -Charley, and I was merely bidding to keep those other fellows from -robbing you." - -"Wisht I had some money," muttered McGlory. "I'll get a letter from -Tucson in a day or two, and I reckon it'll have a wad of _dinero_ in it -for me. Lend me enough to buy that boat, Matt, and I'll fork over as -soon as I make the raise." - -"I'd be glad to lend you money, Joe, for anything but that," answered -Matt. "You don't need the _Sprite_ any more than I do, so, if I don't -lend you any funds you can't buy the boat." - -"That's just like a hired man, Matt, and not like a real pard," mumbled -McGlory. "But you're doing the right thing, at that." - -"Me allee same Ping Pong," piped up the Celestial, picking up the -slack of his kimono and wringing the water out of it. "Ah Choo makee -lun launly, fire Ping Pong, you savvy? Whoosh! My no gottee job allee -mo'." - -"That's rough," commiserated the cowboy, with a wink in Matt's -direction. "Little Ping Pong here worked for Ah Choo, and the old -sneeze pulled the pin on him. What was that for, Ping?" - -"My takee ticket flom 'Melican man fol washee-washee," explained the -China boy. "Ah Choo no likee; him tellee Ping Pong makee skip, nevel -come back allee mo'." - -"Listen to that!" went on McGlory. "A flat-faced swatty owin' Ah Choo a -dollar for the week's wash, blows into the laundry emporium and trades -a ticket on the raffle with Ping Pong here for the amount of his debt. -When Ah Choo hears the particulars, he ditches Ping. Ping comes over -to Tiburon, wins the boat, and tries to make it do a handspring over a -clump of piles. Between you and me, Matt, we pull him out of the briny -and save the boat, and here he is, worryin' because he's out of a job -and never thinking about the eighty-five _pesos_ that are bound to drop -into his yellow palms!" - -"China boy workee fo' you," chirped Ping Pong, reaching out to grab -Matt's hand. "You takee boat, givee Ping Pong job." - -"There's your chance," grinned McGlory. "Take on the chink, Matt, and -you corral the boat. It's no rhinecaboo he's running in, either. He -means every word of it." - -Matt's eyes wandered in the direction of the ferry house. - -"The next boat is about to leave," said he hurriedly. "You take Ping -and go on the boat, Joe, and I'll follow you with the _Sprite_. You'll -find me on the water front near the foot of Clay Street. When we get -back there we'll find some way out of this difficulty. I haven't any -more use for the Chinaman than I have for the boat, but I should think -we could sell the boat for somewhere near what she's worth and then -turn the proceeds over to Ping. That ought to keep him going until he -finds a job that suits him." - -"Keno!" agreed McGlory, grabbing the Celestial by the arm. "Come on, -Ping, and we'll strike a bee line for the ferry." - -As they hurried off, Motor Matt returned to the landing and to the -_Sprite_. He was only a few moments casting off and starting across the -bay. - -Destiny was lying in wait for him. Fate knows her business, and never -juggles events into such a state as they were then without having a -well-defined object in view. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -ANOTHER RESCUE. - - -Matt fell in behind the big ferryboat as she moved out of the slip and -churned up the water in the direction of San Francisco. Drawing back -far enough to be clear of the steamer's troubled wake, he jogged along, -and tried out the _Sprite_ with various manoeuvres calculated to test -her motor and her rough-weather qualities. - -A keen delight ran tingling through every nerve as he handled the -steering wheel and manipulated the levers. The engine worked perfectly; -and, by flinging the little craft ahead into the rough water thrown up -by the steamer, he was surprised and delighted at the easy work she -made of the big waves. - -For a while, McGlory and Ping grouped themselves aft and watched him. -Every now and then the cowboy would wave his hat and shout something -which the distance between the boats rendered indistinguishable to Matt. - -A tug came towing a two-masted ship in from the Gate. Matt allowed the -_Sprite_ to fall off, so that the tug and its tow would pass between -him and the ferryboat. As he headed westward in order to round the -stern of the sailing ship, Matt became suddenly aware that sailors -were running about the deck of the towed vessel, shouting back and -forth, and some of them hurrying to pick up coils of rope. Abruptly the -excitement ceased. The sailors dropped their ropes, and two or three of -them ran up on the poop deck, waved their hands to Matt, and pointed -southward, along the track of the ferryboat. - -Matt could not hear what the sailors shouted to him, but from their -gestures he knew there was something demanding his attention on the -other side of their vessel. As the schooner gurgled and lurched past, -Matt saw a human form bobbing about in the water, and he also saw that -the ferryboat was in the act of putting about. - -Waving a reassuring hand to the captain of the boat, Matt forced -the _Sprite_ to her best speed, and laid a direct course toward the -struggling form. The captain of the ferryboat, no doubt assuming that -the launch would easily effect a rescue, signaled his wheelman to keep -on across the bay. - -As Matt steadily diminished the distance that separated him from the -form in the water, the form suddenly vanished. With his eyes on the -spot where it had gone down, the young motorist was just making ready -to shut off the power and dive overboard when the form once more shot -to the surface. - -"Keep afloat!" shouted Matt encouragingly, "I'm almost alongside." - -It was a young fellow, Matt could see that, and there was despair in -his face as he turned his head in response to the call. - -He tried to say something, but the words were lost in a watery gurgle. -His arms were working feebly, and it was evident that he was nearly at -the last gasp. - -Coaxing the last ounce of speed out of the _Sprite_, Matt laid her bow -within a foot of the youth, then swiftly shifted the wheel in order to -bring the side of the launch as close as possible. - -Hanging to the wheel with one hand, Matt leaned outward and downward, -grabbing the collar of the youth's sweater with his disengaged hand. - -"Steady!" cried Motor Matt; "you'll be all right in a minute." - -Then, with a heave that caused the little boat to dip at a dangerous -angle, he hoisted the young fellow aboard and dropped him splashing -against the stern thwarts. - -There was plenty of life in him, and Matt felt, just then, that the -boat required more attention than he did. After getting the _Sprite_ -back on her proper course, Matt slowed her speed and looked around. - -The young fellow was sitting up in the bottom of the boat, leaning back -against the rear thwarts. He was about Matt's own age, his hands were -slender and white, and his sweater, trousers, and shoes were of the -most expensive material. - -"Did you ship much water?" asked Matt. - -"Not much," was the answer. - -"Fall off the boat?" - -"Yes." - -The youth did not seem inclined to go into particulars. When he -answered Matt's question, he leaned over the gunwale to peer around -Matt and get a look at the ferryboat. - -"She's going right on," he said, as though to himself; "she won't stop -to take me aboard." - -"It won't be necessary for the ferryboat to stop," spoke up Matt. "I've -got you aboard, and that's enough." - -The youth started, stared, and lifted one hand tremblingly to his head. - -"How did you happen to drop overboard?" inquired Matt. - -"I--I don't know," was the indefinite rejoinder. "I just happened to, -that's all. Where are you going?" - -"To San Francisco--where you must have been going." - -"Can't you put about and take me to Sausalito?" - -The request surprised Motor Matt. - -"Changed your mind about going to 'Frisco?" - -"I don't want to go there. I want to go to Sausalito. It don't make any -difference to you where you land me, does it?" - -There was an arrogant, domineering air about the youth, even in his -present half-demoralized condition, that struck the wrong kind of note -in Matt's ears. - -"It just happens," returned Matt, "that I'm to meet a friend at the -foot of Clay Street, and he'll probably be waiting for me when I get -there. I don't see how it makes very much difference to you, when it's -certain you must have been going to the city when you dropped off the -ferryboat." - -"Well," was the ungracious response, "it does make a difference to -me--a whole lot of difference. Will you take me to Sausalito after you -meet your friend?" - -"I guess the ferryboat can do that for you," answered Matt stiffly. - -The strange youth had not had a word of thanks to say to his rescuer, -on the contrary, he was acting as churlish as possible in the -circumstances. - -"I'm in a nice fix to ride on a ferryboat," grumbled the young fellow, -looking down at his soggy clothing and his water-logged shoes. - -"What's your name?" asked Matt. - -"What do you want to know that for?" - -"Curiosity," was the cool response. "I'd like to chalk it up in my -memory as belonging to a young chap who couldn't even be civil to the -fellow who saved him from drowning." - -A tinge of color ran through the youth's pale face. - -"The captain of the ferryboat would have saved me, if you hadn't," said -he. - -"He couldn't have got there in time. You were about to sink as I -grabbed you." - -There was a silence, broken at last by the youth. - -"My name's Thompson," said he, "and I live in Sausalito." - -"You got on the boat at Tiburon?" - -Thompson was recovering his normal condition by swift degrees. He -flashed a strange look of suspicion at Matt. - -"Well, yes," he answered. "I've been staying there for a while; but I -live in Sausalito. Give me a cigarette." - -"You've come to the wrong shop for cigarettes, Thompson. I'm beginning -to understand why you couldn't keep yourself afloat in the water better -than you did--too many paper pipes. They play hob with a fellow's -endurance." - -The _Sprite_, by that time, was abreast of the docks, and off the -unsavory quarter known as the "Barbary Coast." - -Thompson paid little attention to Matt's remarks, but fixed his eyes -gloomily on the shipping as they glided past. - -There was something at the bottom of Thompson's mind, and Matt wondered -what it could be. - -"I suppose," Thompson continued, tiring of looking at the ships and the -sweating stevedores, "that it's a lucky thing for me you happened to be -around to pick me up." - -"You might call it that," returned Matt dryly. - -He had his back to his passenger, so that he might pick a berth for the -_Sprite_ somewhere in the vicinity of the foot of Clay Street. When he -spoke he did not look around. - -"Well, I'm obliged to you," proceeded Thompson. "I guess you needn't -take me to Sausalito, after all. I'll get out and go to a hotel. -There's a lot of hotels on the 'Front.'" - -"Stay away from the hotels on the 'Front,' Thompson; that's my advice -to you. They're not the right sort of place for a fellow like you to -stop, even for a short time." - -"I guess I can take care of myself," was the haughty rejoinder. - -"I guess you think you can, Thompson. You seem to have a pretty large -opinion of yourself." - -"Are you trying to insult me?" - -"Great spark plugs, no! Why should I want to do that?" - -"I don't like the way you talk, that's all. You act as though you -didn't believe what I said." - -"That's where your imagination is working overtime. What is it to me, -one way or the other, whether you're telling the truth or not?" - -Matt saw the berth he was looking for, and turned the _Sprite_ into the -slip. Two minutes later he was alongside the dock, and had his painter -fastened to a post. As he faced about, after making the painter secure, -he saw that Thompson had gained the dock, and was starting off toward -the street, his feet sluicing around in his wet shoes, and his trousers -slapping about his legs as he walked. - -He was intending to leave without any further talk with Matt, and -the latter leaned against a post and watched him with half-humorous, -half-wondering eyes. - -Before he reached the street, however, McGlory and Ping Pong dodged -around the end of a loaded dray and came face to face with him. - -McGlory stopped short, and stared. So did Thompson. Then McGlory jumped -forward with a whoop, countered the half-hearted blow Thompson aimed at -him, and grabbed him around the waist. - -"Sufferin' Joseph!" cried McGlory, "if it ain't Cousin George! Speak -to me about that, will you? Cousin George Lorry, that I've been -bushwhackin' all over 'Frisco to find! Easy, George! You couldn't get -away from me in a thousand years, and you know it. Whoop-ee, Matt! Come -this way, and come a-running!" - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -AN ODD TANGLE. - - -In a flash Motor Matt recalled what McGlory had told him among the -sand dunes beyond the Presidio barracks. He had described a fellow, -about his own heft and height, whom he named as George Lorry. Could it -be that Matt had picked up the very chap McGlory was looking for? And -McGlory had referred to him as his cousin! - -Matt hurried forward to where the so-called Thompson was struggling to -get away from the cowboy. - -"Hands off of me, McGlory!" panted the bedraggled youth. "You haven't -any right to lay a finger on me, and you know it!" - -"I haven't, eh?" growled McGlory. "Well, you just try to bolt, and I'll -give you a run for your alley. You're a pretty specimen, ain't you? Oh, -shucks! I'm plumb disgusted with you, and so's everybody else. What do -you suppose the folks think, back in Madison?" - -There was an exasperated rattle in the other's throat, but words and -strength failed him, all at once, and he drooped limply in McGlory's -arms. - -"He's played out, Joe," said Matt. "Let him sit down for a minute and -rest." - -"What a mess he's made of this business," muttered McGlory angrily, as -he allowed the flabby form he was holding to slip down on the rough -cobblestones. "He hasn't as much sense as the law allows, and you can -spread your blankets and go to sleep on that." - -"You're positive he's the fellow you were looking for, Joe?" inquired -Matt. - -"Positive? Why, pard, I know him as well as I know my own picture in -the looking-glass. See that scar?" and he indicated a thin red line -over his cousin's right eyebrow. "I don't need even that to prove who -he is," McGlory added. - -"He told me his name was Thompson, and that he lived in Sausalito." - -"He's liable to talk anything but straight--_now_. Let's get him -somewhere to a hotel. Sufferin' sand hills! his folks would throw a fit -if they could see him like this. His name's George Lorry, and he lives -in Madison, Wisconsin. What's more, he's a cousin of mine, although -that's nothing to congratulate myself about." McGlory bent down. "Able -to walk, George?" - -"Yes," was the sullen rejoinder. - -"Any particular place you'd like to be taken?" - -"Bixler House, around in Kearney Street. Get a cab." - -"Got any money, George?" - -Lorry's hands went slowly into his pockets. - -"All I had with me is in the bottom of the bay," he answered sulkily. - -"I don't think I can dig up enough to pay for a cab, but I reckon it's -just as well for us to ride." - -"I'll foot the bill," chimed in Matt. "Here, Ping!" - -Ping was almost as hard a sight as was Lorry, but he came blandly -forward in his bare feet. - -"Yasso, Missul Matt," said he. - -"Go and get a cab for us, Ping." - -"Allee light. My workee fo' you," and he darted away along the street. - -"I thought there was something queer about Lorry," remarked Matt. - -"It's queerer than you think. Matt," replied McGlory. "The whole yarn, -when you go over it from end to end and crossways, is enough to make a -feller's hair stand like the fur on a buffalo robe." - -Lorry looked up with a scowl. - -"How did you know where I was?" he demanded. - -"Didn't you buy a ticket to San Francisco?" - -"I bought a ticket to Chicago." - -"And from there, George, you bought one for here. Think you could fool -the wise boys your father had scramblin' around Chicago lookin' you up? -I got a telegram at Tucson asking me to hustle for 'Frisco, and do what -I could to locate you. I've been in this burg for a week, and had just -about made up my mind you'd taken a boat for somewhere on t'other side -of the Pacific. And to think you were riding from Tiburon on the same -craft that was carrying me!" - -"I saw you on the boat, and I jumped overboard to get away from you." - -McGlory went up into the air and came down with an astounded look at -Matt. - -"Say something about that!" he gasped. "Sufferin' Hottentots, Matt, -did you hear him? He jumped overboard to get away from his cousin, Joe -McGlory! Don't tell me, George!" he growled to Lorry. "You're not such -a fool as that comes to. We're out of the same family, mind, and I'd -hate to think it." - -"You--you don't know everything," faltered Lorry. - -"Keno, I don't; but I'm goin' to know everything, George Lorry, before -we part company." - -All this, of course, was more or less Greek to Motor Matt. It was clear -enough that George Lorry had come of good stock, and equally clear -that he had been pampered and spoiled. As for the rest of it, Matt was -completely in the dark. - -Just at that moment the cab arrived. As it drew up, Ping Pong threw -open the door and jumped out. - -"My gottee, Missul Matt!" he chirruped. "My workee fo' you, huh?" - -"For a while, yes, Ping," Matt answered, unable just then to think of -any other satisfactory method for dealing with the Chinaman. "Stay here -and watch the boat till I come back. Savvy?" - -"Can do," crowed Ping Pong, "you bettee. My workee fo' Motol Matt. -Hoop-a-la!" - -The Chinese boy seemed as delighted as he had been over in Tiburon, -when ticket number 73 won the boat. He had insisted on working for -Matt, and the pleasant feeling that comes with a job brought a grin to -his face and satisfaction to his soul. - -Matt, McGlory, and Lorry loaded themselves into the cab, and were -driven away in the direction of Kearney Street. - -"Let's get right down to cases, George," said the cowboy when they were -well on their way. "First off, just understand that I'm your friend, -that I'm representin' the folks back in Madison, and that I haven't -trailed you to get back those ten thousand plunks." - -With an effort, Lorry braced back in his seat and pushed the straggling -hair out of his eyes. - -"I didn't know what you were after, McGlory," he answered; "but I -wasn't going to be bagged by _you_. When I'm ready to go home I'm -ready, and not before." - -"Oh, you ain't?" grunted the cowboy sarcastically. - -"That's flat. The folks haven't treated me right, and they know it. -They----" - -"Oh, cut that out," growled McGlory wearily. "Haven't you got any -sense, or are you just half fake and half false alarm? The trouble with -Uncle Dan and Aunt Mollie is that they've done a heap too much for -you. If you'd had to knock about the mines and cattle ranges, same as -me, earnin' your grub by hard knocks, I reckon you'd see things a lot -different." - -"I know my own business," snapped Lorry. "You haven't been in Madison -for a year, Joe McGlory, and you don't know how the old man has been -rubbing my fur the wrong way. I told him I wouldn't stand for it--and I -didn't." - -"You're a pill!" snorted McGlory, in a temper. - -"What's more," pursued Lorry, in a temper that matched his cousin's, -"I'm not going to take any insolence from you. You're nothing but a -rowdy, anyhow. Your father was a rowdy----" - -McGlory leaned over and dropped a hard hand on Lorry's knee. - -"That'll do you, my buck," said he, his low voice ringing like steel. -"While my father was alive he had my respect, and I did what he told me -to. What's more, he steered me plumb right. He didn't have the money -your father had, but that wasn't his fault. As for the rest, just -remember that my mother was your mother's sister. Whenever I go to that -hill, just out of Tucson, where those two mounds are heaped up, side by -side, I can stand between 'em and say, with a clear conscience, that -I'm livin' square. In my place, George Lorry, you couldn't do that, and -you know it." - -McGlory's eyes flashed, and, on the instant, the liking Matt had -already conceived for the cowboy intensified into a fast and enduring -friendship. Joe McGlory had character, and the right kind of an outlook -upon life. - -At that moment the cab came to a halt. - -"Here's the place," announced McGlory, pushing open the door, "and a -fine old honkatonk it is. I've been to this place huntin' for you. -Wonder why I didn't find you?" - -"Probably," was the sarcastic comment of Lorry, "you didn't ask for -Thompson." - -Matt paid the driver of the cab, and then followed McGlory and his -cousin into the dilapidated building. A frowsy-looking clerk bestirred -himself and leaned over the counter, his curious gaze centring on Lorry. - -"Gee Christopher!" he exclaimed, "is that you, Mr. Thompson?" - -"Give me the key to my room," snarled Lorry. - -The key was handed over, and Lorry led the way out of the room and up -a flight of narrow stairs. A hall was traversed, and near the end of -it Lorry unlocked a door, and bolted across the threshold. McGlory -rushed after him, and when Matt stepped into the bare little room, the -cowboy was jerking a revolver out of his cousin's hand. The drawer of a -bureau, at one side of the room, was open. - -"Now what do you think!" cried McGlory, whirling away and pushing -the revolver into his pocket. "He yanked this pepper box out of that -drawer, Matt, and turned it on himself. With all his highfalutin' airs, -that cousin o' mine hasn't got the backbone of a jellyfish. Look at -him! Did you ever see any one of his age and size with less manliness -in his make-up?" - -Matt turned and looked at Lorry. The next moment Lorry stumbled to the -bed and fell on it at full length, burying his face in the pillow. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -THE RICH MAN'S SON. - - -"Blubbering!" muttered McGlory, with a look of profound disgust. "I -might overlook his attempt to shake a cartridge into himself, but this -baby act is too much for me." - -George Lorry was a puzzle to Motor Matt. And all Matt had overheard -between McGlory and Lorry had only made the puzzle more perplexing. - -"Don't be too hard on him, Joe," said Matt. "There must be something -pretty serious at the bottom of this or Lorry wouldn't have tried to -shoot himself." - -"_Did_ he try," asked McGlory darkly, "or was it only a bluff?" - -"According to his story, he jumped off the ferryboat to get away from -you. That alone proves he was desperate." - -"Maybe he was talking with two tongues when he said that." - -Matt stepped over to the side of the room. - -"Why did he leave Madison, Joe?" he asked in a low voice, as soon as -McGlory had joined him. - -"He got to be more than Uncle Dan could handle. You see, pard, Uncle -Dan's money runs up into seven figures, and George corralled the notion -that whenever he wanted anything all he had to do was to order it sent -up to the house. He joined a yacht club, and wanted to put a motor -boat in a race, so what does he do but order a five-thousand-dollar -racer, and drew on dad. Dad lands on the proposition with both feet, -and little George over there is so mad he sulks in his room for a -week, then he chases himself out of the house, and trots a heat with -a swift bunch of thoroughbreds, who spend their time gamblin' and -drinkin'. George does that, you know, just to show how mad he is; but -dad's dander is up good and plenty, and he vows he'll send George to -a military academy, where they'll straighten the kinks out of him or -else break him in two. George was more worked up over the military -school than he was over the racing boat, so he opens dad's safe one -night, takes out ten thousand in cold cash, and slips away from Madison -between two days. - -"Uncle Dan is a pretty good sort of fellow, although he never did -anything for the McGlorys--not so you could notice it. He writes me all -this that I've been tellin' you, Matt, and says that, if I see anything -of George, will I please rope down, and tie him, and wire. The day -after I get the letter, along comes a telegram saying George went to -Chicago and bought a ticket for 'Frisco, and asking me to hit only the -high places between Tucson and the Golden Gate. I went, and I've been -here a week, walkin' my boot soles off, and askin' questions till I was -blue in the face--but nothing doing. I got the notion that George had -used his ten thousand for a trip to furrin parts, and so I was just -beginning to cut loose on my own account and enjoy the boats when you -and I came together, and this business of the _Sprite_ was pushed into -the grooves. If it hadn't been for you and the _Sprite_, pard, I'd -never have found George. Now that I have found him, what am I going to -do with him? Speak to me about that. I'd like to unload a little of the -responsibility onto you." - -"He's spoiled," observed Matt, after a little reflection; "and that's a -cinch." - -"Oh, no, he ain't spoiled!" scoffed McGlory. "He's just mildewed with -conceit and cobwebbed with ideas of his own importance. Back of all -that, he's got about as much s-a-n-d as a gopher. He's over there now -leaking great big briny tears like a Piute squaw who's been caught -stealin' a string of glass beads. Wonder if he thinks he can melt _me_?" - -McGlory's black eyes glittered as they wandered to the heaving form on -the bed. - -"You'd think he was seven instead of seventeen," he grunted. - -"There may be something in him, Joe," suggested Matt, "for all that." - -"There ain't anything in him worth while--you couldn't find it with a -mikerscope." - -"Let's give him a chance, anyhow." - -"Chance? I'm willing. But what's the number? And how you going to play -it?" - -"Your first move is to get hold of that ten thousand. He doesn't seem -to have it with him, and it may be that he's feeling cut up because -he gambled with the money, and lost it. If you can't get the money, -then find out where it is. Don't go at him hammer and tongs, but use a -little tact." - -McGlory grinned. - -"Smooth him down with a piece of velvet, eh?" he queried. "Dust him off -with a few sweet words, and gently lift him back on the pedestal where -he's already stood for more years than have been good for him. Not me, -pard. Anyhow, I'm short on tact. You do it." - -Matt laughed a little as he looked at the cowboy and listened to him. -It was plain that Matt's sympathy for George wasn't appreciated, and -that if any diplomacy was used it was Matt who would have to use it. - -Without further words Matt walked over to the bed and pulled up a chair. - -"George," said he, "we're friends of yours, and we want to help you. -Everybody makes a mistake now and then, and you've made a big one, but -there's no use fretting about it. That ten thousand is the principal -thing. If we can get hold of that, you'll be able to work out of this -thing in good shape, and perhaps we can fix it so you can return to -Madison and cut a better figure there than when you left the town." - -"I don't want to go back to Madison," came the muffled reply from the -pillow. "The governor has treated me like a dog, and I've washed my -hands of him." - -"Suppose we could arrange matters so the governor would treat you -better?" - -"You can't," snuffled George; "nobody can. The governor's a brute." - -"I think we can make your father see things in a different light," went -on Matt; "but the first thing to do is to send back that money." - -George jammed his head deeper into the pillow. - -"I haven't got it," he whispered. - -"You must have done a lot of gambling to----" - -"No, I didn't. It was stolen from me. The red-whiskered man with a mole -on his face took it." - -"How was that? Turn over here, George, so we can hear you." - -"That's all there is to it," declared George, lifting his face a little -so his words were more distinct. "I met him, and Kinky, and Ross on the -train. I thought they were nice, sociable fellows; but that's where I -made a mistake. They got on the train at Salt Lake City, and when we -reached 'Frisco they got me to come to this hotel. The red-whiskered -man had business over in Tiburon--I don't know what it was--and he went -over there the next day after we reached 'Frisco, and lost his trunk -check. They wouldn't let him have the trunk without the check, and he -was awfully worked up. Kinky told Red-whiskers that maybe I had swiped -the check, and they all seemed to believe it. Anyhow, Red-whiskers said -the trunk was worth more'n ten thousand and they made me turn over that -money I'd brought from home. Red-whiskers said that when I found the -check, or when he proved his property and made the railroad company -give up his trunk, he'd give me back the money. I went over to Tiburon, -the next day, myself, and when I got back here, Kinky, Ross, and the -other fellow had left. I've been going over to Tiburon every day -since, but I couldn't find the check or hear anything about it. And I -haven't heard anything about Red-whiskers, either. He and his two pals -have stolen the money, that's what they've done. I was an easy mark, -and--and--what's the good of living, anyhow?" - -George jammed his head down into the pillow again. - -This strange recital left Matt and McGlory gasping. It was clear that -George had fallen into the hands of sharpers, and had been robbed, but -there was that baggage check Matt had picked up near the little Tiburon -wharf. That looked as though there might be something in the yarn -Red-whiskers had told about losing the check. - -"Well, speak to me about this!" breathed McGlory. "That check you -found, pard, may be the very one this chap with the auburn wind teasers -lost! Wouldn't that knock you slabsided? Sufferin' jew's-harps! Why, I -never heard anythin' to match it. Fate is workin' you into this game -for fair." - -Lorry hoisted himself up suddenly on the bed. - -"Did you find a trunk check over in Tiburon?" he demanded. - -"Yes," replied Matt, and took the flat piece of brass from his pocket. - -"By Jove!" exclaimed Lorry. "It would be a big load off my mind if that -check could be used for getting back the money. Light the gas, McGlory." - -It was falling dark outside, and the cowboy scratched a match and -touched the flame to a jet. As soon as the light was going, Lorry -took the check in his own hands and looked it over exultantly. Then, -abruptly, he jumped for the bed and rushed toward a suit case that lay -on a chair. - -"What are you going to do, George?" inquired McGlory. - -"Get into some dry clothes and then hunt for Red-whiskers. This means a -whole lot to me. I'm going to Honolulu, and I need that ten thousand." - -"Don't be in a rush, Lorry," said Matt. "Was there just ten thousand in -the roll? Didn't you use any of it?" - -"Not a cent! I had enough to get me to 'Frisco, and pay a few other -expenses, aside from that. And it wasn't a roll; it was a packet with -a band around the middle stamped with the name of the Merchants' and -Traders' Bank, of Madison. Jupiter, but this is a good clue, and----" - -Some one rapped on the door. McGlory answered the summons and found the -frowsy-looking clerk and a boy of about nine in the hall. The clerk -pushed the boy forward and pointed to Motor Matt. - -"That's him," said the clerk, "an' I'll bet money." - -"You Motor Matt?" queried the boy, rushing into the room. - -"Yes," answered Matt. - -"Den dis here's fer you. Dere's an answer, an' I'll wait fer it." - -The boy handed over an envelope. Matt opened the envelope and read the -inclosure. A strange light leaped into his gray eyes. - -"Who gave you this, my lad?" he asked of the boy. - -"Dunno de cove, but he had red lilocks an' a face like er ape." - -"Well, I'm not giving him anything till he proves his property, -see? You tell him that. Also tell him that I won't meet him in Turk -Bremer's Place, but will be at the foot of Clay Street in half an hour. -Understand?" - -"Sure thing," grinned the boy. - -Matt snapped a quarter into the air and the boy grabbed it and made off. - -"What's it all about, pard?" asked McGlory. - -"Did you tell anybody in Tiburon about my finding that trunk check, -Joe?" asked Matt. - -"I told the galoot that bossed the raffle." - -"Then that explains it," muttered Matt. "Listen." - -Thereupon he read the note aloud. - - "'MOTOR MATT: Several days ago I lost a baggage check somewhere in - Tiburon, and a couple of hours ago I was told that you had found one - there. It's a cinch it's mine. Give it to the boy; or, if my bare - word that it belongs to me isn't enough, then come to Turk Bremer's - Place on the "Front" in half an hour and I'll prove property. - - JOHN SMITH.'" - -McGlory fell back in his chair. Lorry, with a startled exclamation, -grabbed the note out of Matt's hand to look at it for himself. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -A PLAN THAT FAILED. - - -Motor Matt was as profoundly surprised at the way matters were falling -out as were McGlory and Lorry. As McGlory had said, fate seemed to have -selected Matt for the particular work of recovering Lorry's money. - -"This is luck!" whispered Lorry. "If you can get back that money for -me, Motor Matt, I'll give you five dollars." - -"Don't strain yourself, George," grinned McGlory. - -"I will," declared Lorry. "But you've got to get it back to-night. -There's a boat for the Sandwich Islands to-morrow, and that's the one I -was planning to take." - -"You're not going to emigrate, George," asserted McGlory. "We need you -right here in the United States for a spell yet." - -Matt gave the cowboy a swift and expressive look. - -"I think, Joe," said he, "that Lorry has been dictated to too much. -Leave him alone and let him make his plans." - -McGlory stared incredulously. - -"That's the talk," expanded Lorry, puffing up like an angry tomtit. -"I'd been bossed altogether more than was right or necessary. From -this on I'm my own master. You've got a little sense, Motor Matt. I -give you credit for that, anyhow." - -"Thanks," answered Matt, with an irony so slight Lorry let it get -past him. "Will you stay right here in this hotel while Joe and I are -getting the money for you?" - -"Sure, I will! But I want it to-night." - -"We'll get it as quick as we can. Red-whiskers, otherwise John Smith, -may not have it about him, so it may be some time before we can lay -hands on it." - -Lorry's face fell at this. - -"You'll get it, though, won't you? You've got to get it. Do that for me -and I'll give you five dollars apiece." - -"Fine!" rumbled McGlory, with a wink at Matt. "If George's generosity -ever strikes in it'll bother him worse than the measles. How did -Red-whiskers know we were here, pard?" - -"Probably he traced us through the _Sprite_," answered Matt. "He found -the launch at the foot of Clay Street, and Ping must have heard us tell -the cab driver to drive us to the Bixler House. Ping, of course, told -the fellow." - -"And he sent the boy with a note, knowing it wasn't healthy to come -himself!" crowed McGlory, slapping his hands. "The old rooster didn't -know how we had tangled up with George--Ping didn't tell him that." - -"We haven't much time to work our plan, Joe," said Matt, starting for -the door. "You'll stay right here Lorry, until you hear from us?" - -"Of course," answered Lorry. "All I want is that money. Get it so I can -sail for Honolulu to-morrow." - -"We'll do the best we can," replied Matt, as he and McGlory left the -room and the hotel. - -"You've got me guessing good and plenty, pard," said the cowboy, while -he and Matt hurried toward the water front and the foot of Clay Street. -"It wouldn't be right to let George pull out for furrin parts." - -"Of course not!" answered Matt. - -"But you told him----" - -"That he had been dictated to too much. You see, Joe, I wanted to -reassure him, as much as I could, so he'd be sure and stay at the -hotel. After we recover the money we can do with that cousin of yours -whatever we think best." - -"That's you! Shucks! Now, I reckon, you understand how much tact I've -got. But George--say, ain't he the limit? But he'll not be absent a -whole lot at the wind-up, I can promise you that. I'm in this to help -Uncle Dan and Aunt Mollie, and you can bet your moccasins that what -George wants or don't want won't cut much of a figure in the final -scramble. But, tell me: Do things always come your way, like this? As -this business opens up more and more, the strangeness of it makes my -skin get up and walk over me with cold feet." - -"Well," laughed Matt, "just so you don't get 'cold feet' yourself." - -McGlory chuckled. - -"I come from a country," said he, "where it's too hot for chilblains. -But what's the plan?" - -"We'll get a policeman," answered Matt, "and have him keep in the -background while we're talking with Red-whiskers. As soon as we're sure -he's the man we want, we'll signal for the officer to come forward and -take him in tow." - -"Keno! We'll let the law juggle with Red-whiskers. But wouldn't it -have been better to let the law get in its work at Turk Bremer's? -There'd be plenty of light there so we could see what's doing." - -"Those dives on the 'Front' are dangerous places, Joe, and it's well -for us to leave them alone. As it is, we'd better walk in the middle of -the road when we get to Clay Street." - -"Surely, surely. I reckon your head's as level as they make 'em. How am -I for a pard, anyhow?" - -"A One," said Matt heartily. - -"Shake!" cried McGlory, and they stopped to seal their friendship with -a cordial grip. - -When close to the "Front" they encountered a policeman and told him as -much as necessary in order to get him to lend a helping hand. - -"If we're going to make an arrest," demurred the officer, "we ought to -have a warrant." - -"There's no time for that, officer," said Matt. - -"Well, let me see that note this chap you call Red-whiskers sent by the -boy." - -Matt passed it over, and the policemen withdrew into the glare of a -street lamp to read it. - -"This here is pretty good evidence that you're handin' me a straight -story," said the officer, returning the note, "but I'm a gopher if I'd -help you on such a showing if it wasn't that you're Motor Matt. Your -picture was in the papers"--here he gave Matt a swift sizing--"and -there's no doubt but you're the fellow. Heave ahead, and don't pay any -attention to me. When I'm needed just yell 'Come on!' and I'll be in -the game before you can say scat." - -Matt and McGlory continued on, taking the middle of the street until -they reached the "Front." Here, as they passed along the docks with -their masses of shipping, they kept a sharp watch for the man they were -seeking. For some distance they followed the docks without success, -passing the dozing form of Ping Pong curled up at the foot of the post -to which the _Sprite_ was moored. Ping did not see them, and they did -not let him know they were passing. - -"The Chink stacks up pretty well for a heathen," commented McGlory; -"and he's bound to go on your pay roll, Matt, whether you want him or -not. If he was any----" - -"Hist!" warned Matt, his quick eye observing a dark figure emerging -from the shadows on the right. - -The form came close and halted in front of the two boys, not far from -a flickering light. It was the form of a tall man, in a slouch hat and -dark, respectable clothes. He had a beaklike nose and red whiskers, -but it was too dark for the boys to see the mole mentioned by Lorry. -However, there was no doubt about his being the man. - -"Motor Matt?" inquired the stranger briefly. - -"Yes," replied Matt. - -"Well, I'm the man that wants the trunk check. The railroad people -won't let me have the trunk unless I pass over that brass tag. Mighty -accommodatin' set, I must say." - -"Is your name John Smith?" - -"Didn't I put that to the note?" demanded the other. "What's that got -to do with it, anyhow?" - -"Not much, but I'd like to have you tell me where Ross and Kinky are, -and----" - -The fellow muttered an oath and jumped back. His hand, at the same -instant, darted toward his hip pocket. - -Matt had mentioned "Ross" and "Kinky" merely to make assurance doubly -sure. The man's actions proved that he was one of the three thieves, -and that he had come prepared for anything that might develop to his -disadvantage. - -McGlory, watching Red-whiskers like a hawk, jumped for him and grabbed -the hand that was reaching for his hip. Matt likewise jumped forward. - -"Come on!" he cried to the officer. - -A tramp of running feet was heard--but the sounds came from two -directions, from behind the red-whiskered man and also back of Matt and -McGlory. - -Another moment and Matt saw two figures leaping out of the heavy -shadow. One of them came on toward the place where the boys were -struggling with Red-whiskers and the other turned aside and set upon -the policeman. Matt heard a scuffle, a sound of angry voices, and then -a _thump_ as of a savage blow. - -Before he could draw a full breath, a heavy fist had struck him in the -shoulder and thrown him reeling backward. - -"It's a fall!" panted a husky voice. "Cut for it, on the double quick. -The launch--it's the only thing for us." - -Three figures leaped away along the docks. They were the three men, -Red-whiskers, Kinky, and Ross--for, in Matt's mind, it was clear that -the two latter had been in hiding, waiting to help their pal if he -needed it. - -The suggestion about the launch aroused Matt's fears for the _Sprite_. -He started toward the place where the launch was moored, but halted -when he saw the three men vanishing in another direction. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -A CHASE ACROSS THE BAY. - - -The suddenness with which the red-whiskered man's accomplices had -interfered with Motor Matt's plan, and caused it to fail, was as -startling as it was unexpected. Matt, standing back toward the edge of -the dock with a thumping pain in his shoulder, felt a spasm of chagrin -and disappointment. - -McGlory picked himself up, assisted the policeman to his feet, and both -came toward Matt. The policeman was rubbing his head, and seemed dazed. - -"Sufferin' snakes!" exclaimed McGlory. "I'm trying to figure out what -happened. Who were the other two that blew in on us, pard, just as we -had everything our own way?" - -"They must have been Kinky and Ross," replied Matt. - -"Who are they?" demanded the officer. - -"Two pals of this red-whiskered man. He probably had them waiting in -the background, just as we had you waiting to help us, officer." - -"This ain't the last of this!" cried the officer hotly. "Which way did -they go?" - -Matt indicated the direction. The officer started off at a run, tugging -at his pocket. - -"Why don't you come along?" he demanded over his shoulder. - -"One of them said something about getting away in a launch," returned -Matt. "I didn't know but it was a boat that I have here, and I think -it's well to stand around and see if they come back." - -"I'll see where the scoundrels go, anyhow," said the officer, and -vanished at a rapid pace. - -"Are you hurt, Joe?" inquired Matt. - -"My feelin's are badly injured," answered the cowboy. "The rap I got -on the block don't count for much, although it was enough to drop me, -right where I stood. They're a fine lot, those galoots. I reckon, it's -a cinch that they're the chaps we want--and the ones we won't get. -George will weep some more when he hears about it." - -"Listen!" said Matt. - -The exhaust of an engine struck on his ears, faintly but distinctly. It -came from somewhere to the south of the place where he and McGlory were -standing. - -"What is it, pard?" queried the cowboy. - -"A boat! Didn't you hear Red-whiskers speak about a launch?" - -"Yes, but I reckoned it was the _Sprite_ he meant, and that he changed -his mind when he saw you hustling to get between him and the boat." - -"It wasn't the _Sprite_, but another launch, and---- Ah, see that!" - -Matt pointed into the darkness to the southward. A light could be seen -moving around the end of a slip, gliding across the dark water like a -star. - -"There they go!" cried McGlory excitedly. - -"This way, Joe," called Matt, whirling and running toward the _Sprite_. -"Hurry!" - -The Chinese boy was still dozing by the post, the noise caused by the -recent scrimmage not having been sufficiently loud to disturb him. -He was on his feet, however, the instant Matt dropped a hand on his -shoulder. - -"You Motor Matt?" palpitated Ping. "You wantee----" - -"Cast off the rope, Ping," cut in Matt, sliding from the edge of the -dock into the boat. "Quick! Get in behind, Joe," he added to McGlory. -"We haven't an instant to lose." - -"Well, hardly," answered the cowboy, scrambling aboard while Matt -started the engine. "Time's plenty scarce for us if we're to overhaul -that other boat." - -The painter fell into the boat and Ping fell along with it. - -"I didn't intend to take you, Ping," said Matt, switching the power -into the propeller and turning the nose of the _Sprite_ toward the open -bay. - -"By Klismus," said Ping, with unexpected firmness, "my workee fo' you! -Where you makee go, my makee go, allee same. Me plenty fine China boy." - -"Got any sand, Ping?" asked McGlory. - -"Have got. Fightee allee same like Sam Hill. Whoosh! Plenty big high -China boy, allee same Boxer. You watchee, Motol Matt watchee. My workee -heap fine fo' Motol Matt. Workee, fightee--him allee same." - -While this brief cross-fire was going on between McGlory and Ping, Matt -was driving the _Sprite_ down the slip for all she was worth. The water -slithered up along her sharp bow and flung itself in spray over the -crouching forms of the cowboy and the Chinese. The launch, because of -the weight aft, was very much down by the stern; but this, by throwing -the bow high, helped the boat to slip over the water. - -After dropping from the dock into the launch Matt had not seen the -moving light until, when he was halfway out of the slip, the little -gleam danced across the open space between the outer ends of the two -piers. - -"Great spark plugs!" muttered Matt, "that's the other boat." - -"She's going north!" exclaimed McGlory. - -"Which makes it easy for us to pick up her trail and follow. If she had -gone south, she might have got away from us." - -"She's rippin' along like an express train," murmured the cowboy, -watching the light vanish around the end of the pier. - -"She's not speedy enough to leave the _Sprite_ behind," exulted Matt, -his nerves quivering in unison with the little tremors the humming -cylinders sent through the boat. - -"If those tinhorns see us, pard----" - -"They won't. We're not carrying any lights, and I'm surprised to see -them with one." - -"Mebby they can hear us if they can't see us." - -"We'll have to drop behind far enough so they won't hear us. Their own -boat makes twice as much noise as the _Sprite_, and that will drown the -throb of our exhaust and the whir of the cylinders." - -Just then the _Sprite_ dashed out of the black maw of the slip, -wheeled in a foamy arc and turned her nose northward. There were many -lights in the bay--red and green side lamps and white masthead lights, -and others, but Matt was not confused. The white gleam straight to -northward was the one he knew he should follow. - -A lightish streak surged in the wake of the other launch. Matt could -not make out much about the craft except that she was considerably -larger than the _Sprite_ and had a canvas or wooden canopy over the -cockpit. - -But the _Sprite_ was the faster boat. Matt, studying the distance -that separated the _Sprite_ from the launch ahead, found it necessary -to choke down the motor in order to keep from overhauling the three -thieves. - -"I thought you wanted to catch them," complained McGlory, conscious of -the lessening speed. - -"What good would it do for us to overhaul them out in the bay?" -queried Matt, humping over the wheel and speaking without turning his -head. "There are three of the scoundrels, and they're armed and would -probably be only too glad to have us tackle them. If Red-whiskers could -lay me by the heels, you know, he'd get his trunk check." - -"Correct, pard. It wouldn't do to run alongside of them in the bay. But -what're you thinking of?" - -"We're just shadowing them to find out where they go. When we discover -that, we'll hold a council and decide what's to be done next." - -"Waugh!" sputtered McGlory. "Queerest ever that I can't ride on the -water without getting a gone feeling in the pit of my stomach." - -"Have you got it now, Joe?" - -"Awful. If I had any supper aboard, I reckon I'd unload. And I can -go through all kinds of rough weather on a buckin' bronk! No matter -how much a bronk pitches, or bucks, it never makes me squeamish--but -boats! Well, the minute I get into one I begin to have cramps. Funny, -ain't it? They got a fake boat in a picture gallery in Tucson, and if a -galoot wants a tin type of himself, at sea, he gets into the fake boat -and lets the camera snap. Honest to Mack, every time I go to that place -for a tin type I get seasick." - -Matt laughed. - -"And yet you like boats!" he exclaimed. - -"Achin' for 'em all the time. It's human nature to be contrary with -yourself, I---- Sufferin' centipedes! I'm an Injun if that other boat -isn't making for Tiburon." - -"I don't think so, Joe," said Matt. "There's a place around the point -that's called Belvedere Cove. The other boat is either going to put in -there or else go farther up the bay. We can tell in a minute." - -A little later Matt announced that the other launch had doubled the -point and put into the Cove. For a brief space the point of land hid -the larger launch from the eyes of those in the _Sprite_; but, as the -_Sprite_ pushed around the point, a multitude of lights burst suddenly -on the gaze of her passengers--stationary lights they were, with the -exception of one that was gliding among them like a shooting star. - -"Tell me about that!" muttered McGlory, standing up for a better look. -"The surface of the cove looks like a town. Where are all those lamps?" - -"On houseboats, Joe," replied Matt. "The tide-water inlets, in and -about San Francisco Bay, are full of house boats at this season of the -year. That's the other launch--that moving light, over there." - -McGlory continued to stand up, bracing himself with a hold on Ping's -pigtail, which happened to be the most convenient thing handy. - -The _Sprite_, keeping to the trail of the moving white gleam, darted -in and out among the house boats. From many of the anchored boats came -sounds of mirth, music, and gay talk. Some one, on an ungainly craft -which the _Sprite_ passed within a short fathom, shouted a warning for -Matt to put out a light. This warning, of course, could not be heeded, -and the little launch foamed onward out of earshot. - -Suddenly Matt shut off the power and brought the boat to a halt. - -"The other launch has tied up alongside a house boat, Joe," he -announced, "and we're at the end of our trail. What shall we do? Go to -Tiburon after a policeman or two or go on with the work ourselves?" - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -THE LION'S MOUTH. - - -McGlory made a survey of the surface of the water directly in front -of the _Sprite_. A hundred feet away was a large house boat, with the -launch snugged up close to its side. The house boat was of the ordinary -two-deck variety, the upper deck covered with an awning. A short staff -extended upward from the highest point of the boat and supported the -riding light. While the cowboy was looking, a light flashed in the -windows of the house boat's cabin and then settled into a steady gleam. - -"I'm not one of those ducks who wear a sixteen collar and a number -five hat, pard," observed McGlory, as he dropped back on the thwart, -"but, at the same time, what you've thrown up to me takes more sense -than I've got to decide. If we leave here and chase over to Tiburon -after a few policemen, these birds we're after may fly the coop while -we're gone. Then, taking it t'other way around, if we go ahead on -our own hook we may make another bobble like that we got tangled up -with at the foot of Clay Street. Those tinhorns are heeled, and you -can chalk that up good and big; so, if us longhorns go prancing in -there and begin pawing for trouble, the result looks like a cinch--for -Brick-whiskers and the trunk check. You say what we're to do." - -"I don't think we could accomplish much by coming company-front with -those fellows and demanding Lorry's ten thousand dollars," said Matt. -"As a matter of fact, we don't know whether they have the money with -them, or whether they've spent it, or whether they've left it somewhere -ashore." - -"They've got it in their clothes, Matt, I'll gamble on that. When these -tinhorns freeze to a roll of that size, they keep it handy and quiet." - -Matt flashed a look at the house boat. - -"They seem to be the only ones aboard the house boat," said he, "and -they're evidently having a talk in the cabin. I believe we'll run -alongside the other launch and then I'll leave you and Ping to watch -the _Sprite_ while I do a little reconnoitring." - -"Meaning," added McGlory, "to get right in among 'em, big as life, and -run the risk of having them put the kibosh on you?" - -"It's not much risk, Joe, if I'm at all careful." - -"Mebby not, but what's the good?" - -"Perhaps I can find out something of importance about the money." - -"You're putting your head in the lion's mouth. If the mouth should -happen to close----" McGlory finished with a shrug and a gurgle. "Speak -to me about that!" - -"If that should happen," said Matt, "I'll have you and Ping to fall -back on." - -"Don't fall too hard, that's all." - -Matt started up the motor again, proceeding slowly and as noiselessly -as he could. McGlory went forward over the hood of the motor and -prepared to make the _Sprite's_ painter fast to the larger launch. - -The noise of the motor did not arouse any one in the cabin--at least, -no doors were opened and no one showed himself on the house boat. - -Shutting off the power as soon as the _Sprite_ had gathered headway -enough to carry her to the other launch, Matt lay over the wheel and -watched while McGlory leaned out and gripped the upright supporting the -canopy over the cockpit of the larger boat. Then, pulling the _Sprite_ -along hand over hand, the cowboy came to the bow and made the painter -fast to an iron ring. - -A mumble of voices could be heard coming from the cabin of the house -boat. When all was fast, McGlory came back and got down off the hood. - -"How'd it be if I went with you, Matt?" he whispered. - -"A good deal worse, Joe, than for me to go it alone," was Matt's -equally guarded reply. "One can crawl around, and be more quiet about -it, than two." - -"Keno." - -"Mebby so my makee go with Motol Matt," murmured Ping, who, for the -most part of that trip across the bay, had been content to use his eyes -and ears and let his tongue rest. - -Every move Matt made about the machinery had been watched by the -Chinese, and so intently that he had not complained when McGlory used -his queue for a support while standing up in the boat. - -"That _would_ fix things," muttered the cowboy. "Why, you little -rat-eater, you'd get Matt into more trouble than he could take care of. -You'll stay right here with me, and that shot goes as it lays." - -"Awri," whispered Ping meekly. - -Matt went forward on hands and knees. In getting up to step from one -boat to the other, the name of the larger boat stood out clearly under -the falling rays of the lamp. She was the _San Bruno_. The young -motorist made mental note of the name, for it might be of value in -catching Red-whiskers and his pals in case the work of the night proved -useless. - -Crossing the forward deck of the _San Bruno_, Matt stepped easily to -the passage that ran along the side of the house boat's cabin. Then, -on all fours, he crawled to the window through which came the glow of -light. - -Rising up cautiously, he peered into the cabin. The three men were -there, seated on the cushioned benches that ran along the sides of the -little room. All were smoking cigars, and the air was thick with the -vapor. The rascals had thrown off their hats and removed their coats, -so Matt had a good chance to study their evil faces. - -Red-whiskers' mole was in plain evidence, but it could hardly be called -a disfigurement, as the face itself was brutal and mercenary in every -line. - -The other two men were of like calibre, if their features could be -relied upon. They were talking, but it was impossible for Matt to -overhear what they were saying. From their earnestness, however, it -seemed plain that an important topic was being discussed. - -Presently, as Matt continued to look, Red-whiskers bent down and pulled -a satchel out from under the bench on which he sat. The other two -craned their necks toward him as he took the satchel on his knees and -opened it. - -Shoving one hand into the bag, the red-whiskered man removed a thick -packet of banknotes and held it up. The packet was encircled by a paper -band, and Matt's heart thumped sharply against his ribs as he realized -that this was certainly the money stolen from Lorry. - -While the red-whiskered man held the packet in his hand, the other two -talked to him. They appeared to be pleading or arguing, Matt could not -decide which. - -Abruptly the money was dropped back into the bag and the bag shoved -under the bench once more, the red-whiskered man shaking his head as he -straightened up on his seat. - -"They wanted him to divide it, and he refused," was the thought that -ran through Matt's head. - -This was followed by another idea, whose audacity caused Matt to catch -his breath. - -Wouldn't it be possible to take the satchel out of the cabin? If Matt -could get the money, he would be perfectly satisfied to let the thieves -keep their liberty. - -For the king of the motor boys and his two companions to attempt to -capture the three men would have been foolish, and no doubt have ended -in disaster; but to secure the satchel by stealth, or through some -ruse, seemed feasible and worth trying. - -Dropping to the deck again, Matt crawled to the end of the house boat. -At each end there was a wider strip of deck than at the sides, so that -the young motorist had ample room to manoeuvre without making any noise. - -A door opened out of the end of the cabin upon the rear deck, and -beside the door was a flight of steep stairs leading to the cabin roof. - -There was nothing to be gained by going to the upper deck, and to open -the door and get inside the cabin promised more danger than Matt deemed -it wise to face. The strip of deck on the starboard side of the cabin -might repay investigation, and Matt started around the corner. - -But he did not turn the corner. He had no more than reached a point -where he could get a view of the starboard alley than his startled eyes -rested on a figure tilted back in a chair against the cabin wall. - -Well for motor Matt was it that the man was asleep. Had he been awake, -the lad would surely have been discovered, and every hope of securing -the satchel and its contents would have gone glimmering. - -Drawing back. Matt crouched on the deck and turned the situation over -in his mind. - -What could he do to secure that satchel? - -His plans, whatever they were to be, would have to be laid quickly, for -there was no telling how long the sleeping man would remain asleep, -nor how long it would be before Red-whiskers, Kinky, and Ross finished -their discussion and came out of the cabin. - -One move after another passed through Matt's mind, only to be rejected -and cast aside. - -There was a window in the starboard wall directly back of the place -where the red-whiskered man was sitting. In seeking to gain the -starboard alley, Matt had had that window prominently in mind. But what -he could do when he reached that window had not yet occurred to him. -Any move on that part of the deck was out of the question, so long as -the man occupied the chair. - -The king of the motor boys, usually so resourceful in expedients, could -think of nothing, at that moment, that pointed the way to possible -success in the matter of the satchel. The only ruse that suggested -itself was to have McGlory and Ping start some sort of a row that would -draw the three men out of the cabin, thus affording Matt a chance to -run in through a door, or climb in at a window, and secure the grip. -But this plan had many disadvantages--for what would it avail Matt, or -Lorry, if he was to secure the satchel and then be left on the house -boat with it, at the mercy of the red-whiskered man and his two pals? - -A talk with McGlory was advisable, in the circumstances, and Matt began -crawling across the after deck of the house boat toward the _San Bruno_. - -Before he had covered half the distance that separated him from the -edge of the house boat's deck his knee rested heavily on some hard -object attached to the boards. It proved to be an iron ring, made fast -in a hatch cover. - -Instantly the young motorist's plans underwent a change. He would not -leave the house boat just yet, but would open the hatch, drop below and -explore the lower part of the boat. If there was another hatch leading -up under the part of the cabin where the three men were holding their -secret session, then fortune might point a way for something worth -while. - -The hatch cover was hinged. Softly Matt lifted the trap and threw it -back; then, letting himself down into the scowlike hulk, he lifted the -hatch again and cautiously lowered it. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -THE MOUTH CLOSES. - - -When the hatch was closed, and Matt had shut himself into the hull of -the boat, he found that he was in cramped quarters. - -The air was stifling, and the smell of bilge water was extremely -unpleasant. He could not sit up without knocking his head against the -deck beams, and he was entangled in a scattered pile of firewood. But -if he got where he wanted to go he must contrive to move forward. - -Taking a match from his pocket, he struck it on his trousers, and -looked about him in the feeble gleam. - -The firewood was not all he had to contend with. In addition to that, -the hold was half full of boxes and casks. - -Making mental note of a course that would take him forward with least -trouble from the fuel and food supplies, he pinched out the match and -crawled carefully. - -He realized, presently, that the voices from the cabin were coming to -his ears in increased volume; in fact, he was hearing them much more -distinctly than when he had been at the window outside the cabin. Their -distinctness became much more apparent the farther he advanced; not -only that, but they served to help him locate himself. When the voices -were directly over his head he paused. - -The floor boards of the deck had spread slightly, and the cracks were -lined with threads of lamplight. This explained the distinctness with -which the voices reached his ears. Sitting up, he stifled his breathing -while he listened. - -"You fellers might just as well understand this from the start -off--that money stays together, all in a wad, until we get safe out o' -'Frisco. Then there'll be a divvy, and not before." - -Red-whiskers was the speaker. Matt had no difficulty in recognizing his -raucous voice. - -"Is that square, John?" demanded one of the others. "Ain't Ross an' me -entitled to our share, here an' now, if we want it?" - -"You're entitled to your share, Kinky, and you're going to get it, but -not until we're out of the woods. I'd have whacked up to-night, but -for that raw deal we had worked on us at the foot of Clay Street. This -Motor Matt, it's as plain as a pikestaff, is trying to help Lorry. -Lorry himself wouldn't have the nerve to play a game like that. Why, he -stole the money himself, see, and he ain't goin' to ask the law to step -in and help him get the stuff back. But this Motor Matt--well, from all -I can read about him, he's all nerve and is given to meddling. We've -got to quit this house boat and sail on that Jap steamer to-morrow. -I'll pay our passage to Honolulu out of the funds, and when we get to -where we're going we'll go snucks, share and share alike." - -"I want mine now," struck in a third voice. - -"That's you, Ross," growled Red-whiskers. "You want to do some gamblin' -and drinkin', which is the worst things you could possibly do, not only -for yourself, but for Kinky and me. I'll not have it that way. When we -get in a safe place, we'll split the loot into three parts, and you can -take what's coming to you and go to ballyhack, if you want to. But you -can't tune up around 'Frisco while I'm in the town." - -"What's to be done with the _San Bruno_?" asked a voice which Matt -identified as belonging to Kinky. - -"We'll use her to take us to 'Frisco, in the morning, just before -the steamer leaves. Then we can turn her over to her owner, pay him -what's coming, and hustle for the dock where we load ourselves for the -Sandwich Islands. I'm calculating we'll be safe enough there." - -"O' course," spoke up the voice of Ross, "all I want's to do the right -thing by everybody an' have the right thing done by me. I ain't putting -up no holler, an' don't think that for a minute; but I'm just about -strapped. I haven't got more'n two bits in my jeans." - -"Well, you'll have three thousand of your own before you're a week -older, Ross, and I'd advise you to do the same as I intend to -do--invest it in a pineapple plantation in the islands." - -"Oh, splash! I'm going to invest my money in a distillery," and Ross -finished with a reckless laugh, only he used a harsher expletive. - -"It wouldn't be like you if you didn't," grunted Red-whiskers. - -"Speaking along this line," spoke up Kinky, "reminds me that I'm -dryer'n the desert of Sahary. Suppose we open a bottle?" - -"That hits me," agreed Ross promptly. - -"I'll go you--for just one bottle," came from the red-whiskered leader -of the trio. - -Ross chuckled. - -"John likes his nip jest as well as anybody," said he. - -"What of it?" demanded the leader. "If I've got the sense to take no -more than is good for me, what's the odds? The trouble with you, Ross, -is that you never stop until you make a fool of yourself. Let me tell -you something: Whisky is the worst enemy a man ever had. It'll give him -a little 'Dutch courage' for a piece of crooked work, I grant you, but -if a crook hangs onto the drink it will ruin him in the end. That's -right." - -This was refreshing doctrine to come from such a man as Red-whiskers. -Matt listened to his talk with a half smile. - -"Get the stuff, Kinky," said the impatient Ross. - -There was a sound of moving feet across the floor. The next moment a -match was lifted directly over Matt's head and a flood of lamplight -revealed him to Kinky. The scoundrel flung back with a wild yell. - -Matt waited for no more. With a pounding heart he scrambled over boxes -and casks and stove wood on his way toward the other hatch. - -A confused babel of voices reached him from the cabin; feet could be -heard running over the floor, and some one raised a great clatter -dropping into the hold. - -"Come out here!" shouted a fierce voice. "Come out, I say, or I'll -shoot!" - -Matt was willing to run the risk of stopping a bullet, there in the -darkness, and he was in altogether too big a hurry to throw up a -barricade between him and the man with the gun. - -Rising on his knees, he lifted his hands to the hatch. No shot was -heard, and Matt reflected that the scoundrels would not dare fire a -revolver for fear of attracting attention from the other house boats in -the cove. - -To throw back the hatch took only an instant, but, as the young -motorist scrambled through the opening, he was seized by the shoulders -and hurled roughly to the deck. - -He was up again almost as soon as he was down. - -"Landers!" bellowed a gruff voice; "where the deuce is Landers? Take -him, Kinky. I guess the two of us are enough without Landers. I'll head -him off on this side." - -Matt felt a pair of arms go around him from behind. With a fierce -effort, however, he twisted clear of the clutching hands, whirled and -struck out with his fist. - -An exclamation, more forcible than polite, was jolted out of Kinky. - -"Hang it!" the scoundrel added, "he's got a fist like a pile driver. -Lay for him, Ross! I'm wabbling." - -Before Motor Matt could turn and defend himself against Ross, -Red-whiskers bolted through the open cabin door. - -"Don't make so much noise, you fellows!" he called angrily. "Every -house boat in the cove will be----" - -Then he saw Matt. The latter had sprung to the edge of the deck with -the plain intention of diving overboard. - -Before he could carry out his plan Ross and the leader of the three men -had him by each arm and had jerked him roughly back. - -Matt struggled with all his power, but there were three against him, -and he was thrown to the deck and dragged into the cabin, one of the -men holding a hand over his mouth to prevent outcry. - -The cabin was divided into two rooms, and Matt was half dragged and -half carried through the darkness of the first room into the glaring -lamplight of the one beyond. - -"Put him in that chair over there," ordered the red-whiskered man. "You -needn't be afraid he'll yell, Kinky," he added, with savage menace, -"so take your hands from his mouth. If he lets out a whoop, or tries -to bolt, I'll fire, even if the noise brings a tender from every house -boat in the bay." - -One look into the gleaming eyes of Red-whiskers was enough to warn Matt -that discretion demanded passive compliance with the wishes of his -captors. - -Kinky removed his hands from Matt's lips, and Ross released his arms. -Both men stepped to one side, glaring at him curiously and vindictively. - -Red-whiskers, a revolver lying on his knees, was sitting on the -cushioned bench, directly facing Matt. With a steady hand he was -lighting a fresh cigar. - -"Pull the window shades, Kinky," said he calmly. "Ross, lock both doors -and put the keys in your pocket. We'll have a little heart-to-heart -talk with Motor Matt, and I don't want Landers to see what we do, or -hear what we're talking about." - -Motor Matt, blaming himself for what had happened, sat quietly and -wondered what was to come. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -SURPRISING EVENTS. - - -"You're a daring youngster," remarked Red-whiskers, leering at the -prisoner through the smoke of his cigar. "I suppose you think you're -pretty smart, eh? Well, there are others. How did you find out we were -here?" - -"I found out," said Matt. "I don't think it would help me any if I told -you how." - -"Don't get gay," admonished Red-whiskers, his eyes dropping -significantly to the weapon on his knee. "Remember where you are, Motor -Matt. You're interfering with a game that doesn't concern you in the -least. Poor policy, boy, poor policy. You ought to have sense enough to -know that without being told. Where did you meet young Lorry?" - -"I'm not talking about Lorry or any one else," returned Matt. "You -might as well let me go." - -"All in due time, my lad, and after you satisfy our curiosity. You -rowed over from Tiburon?" - -Matt was silent. - -"That's what he must have done," spoke up Ross. "How could he have got -here if he hadn't rowed over? He didn't swim, that's sure, for he's got -on all his clothes an' they're dry as a bone. I'll go out and see if I -can discover his boat." - -Ross turned to the door, but Red-whiskers lifted a restraining hand. - -"We'll look after the boat in due time, Ross," said he. "Just now we'll -give all our attention to Motor Matt. I'll trouble you for that trunk -check, my lad," he finished, facing the prisoner once more. - -Matt, knowing it would be worse than useless to resist, drew the check -from his pocket and tossed it to Red-whiskers. - -"Much obliged," said the leader grimly, examining the tag. "This is the -one, sure enough," he added to Kinky and Ross. - -"How did you know I had it?" asked Matt. - -"The gent that raffled off that boat put me next. How much pleasanter -it would have been," Red-whiskers pursued, slipping the check into -his pocket, "if you'd been nice and sociable, over there at the foot -of Clay Street, and let me have that brass tag without trying to make -trouble. What have you gained, Motor Matt, by roughing things up like -you did? And what have you gained by sneaking in here? Are you any -better off?" - -"Cut it out, John," growled Kinky. "What's the good o' readin' him a -lecture?" - -Red-whiskers scowled at Kinky. - -"Be so good as to dry up," he requested. "You never was able to see -anything an inch or two beyond your nose, so you can't guess what I'm -driving at. Motor Matt," he went on, to the prisoner, "what did you lug -that cop along with you for, when you came to the foot of Clay Street? -What was your object? Was you afraid of that part o' town, and was he -just a sort of bodyguard?" - -Matt laughed at that. - -"Hardly that," said he. "You've got ten thousand dollars that belongs -to young Lorry, and the policeman was there to get it." - -"Well, well!" exclaimed the red-whiskered man, with a humorous glance -at Ross and Kinky, "he thinks we've got ten thousand dollars! But," he -continued, "assuming that we _have_ got that much money, how do you -figure that it belongs to Lorry? Did Lorry steal it from his old man? -If he did, does that make it his? If it does, Motor Matt, then if we -stole the money from young Lorry it ought to belong to us." - -"That's foolish," said Matt, trying to guess what Red-whiskers was -driving at. - -"Possibly it is. Now, you're a pretty good sort of fellow, only a -trifle headstrong, and I don't mind saying that we _did_ take that -ten thousand from young Lorry. And why? Let me tell you it was all -perfectly legitimate." He leaned over confidentially and tapped Matt -on the knee with the muzzle of the revolver. "We're detectives, Motor -Matt, Chicago detectives, and old Mr. Lorry, that lives in Madison, -Wisconsin, commissioned us to recover that money. We've recovered it; -and you"--Red-whiskers leaned back and laughed softly--"thought we was -thieves and tried to have us pinched! What do you think of that for a -joke?" - -"Then," said Matt, "it's all a joke about you and your pals sailing -for Honolulu to-morrow and dividing the money between you when you get -there?" - -Enjoyment immediately faded out of the situation for the red-whiskered -man. He straightened up, pulled at his fiery beard and glared at Motor -Matt. - -Matt realized that he had made a mistake. By speaking as he had done, -he had virtually admitted that he knew more about the plans of the -three rascals than they had thought possible. - -"Ah," and a crafty smile crossed Red-whiskers' face "I thought you'd -let out something, if I prodded you a little, but I'll be hanged if I -expected that. This is beginning to look mighty serious for you, Motor -Matt. Where did you learn all that?" - -"I was under the floor," replied Matt. - -"Exactly--under the floor listening to a conversation that didn't -concern you. Because of that, you're going to stay two weeks on this -boat, and Landers is going to keep you. By then we'll be where we're -going and out of harm's way, and it won't be possible for what you know -to have any effect. You've only yourself to blame for this. Who's that -chink that won the boat in the raffle?" - -"I don't know much about him," replied Matt. - -"You took his boat across the bay for him, didn't you?" - -"Yes." - -"Well, he knew where you had gone, because he told me. That's how I was -able to send that note to the Bixler House. The chink said you had a -couple of fellows with you--one, in particular, who had fallen off a -ferryboat and whom you had picked up. Was that young Lorry?" - -"I'm not saying a word," said Matt, "about Lorry. You say you're going -to keep me on this house boat for two weeks. If that's your plan, all -right, go ahead with it." - -For several minutes Matt, from where he sat, had been trying to locate -the satchel under the bench. It was impossible for him to see it, and -he supposed that it had either been moved by Red-whiskers, or taken -away. - -"We're going to leave for parts unknown," continued the leader of the -three rogues, "and we're going to take young Lorry with us. I guess if -we give him a thousand of his father's money he'll be satisfied." - -"You're a scoundrel, on your own showing," cried Matt angrily, "but I -don't think you'd be such a contemptible scoundrel as to take that boy -away and make him a thief, like you and your pals!" - -"Softly, Motor Matt," warned Red-whiskers. "What is the boy now but a -thief, and on his own showing, at that? I don't think we can hurt him -any, and by taking him away we'll be doing a good thing for him--and -for us." - -"You'll ruin him, that's what you'll do," proceeded Matt indignantly. -"Haven't you a thought for his people, back there in Wisconsin?" - -"What are his people to us? I had intended all along to compromise with -the cub and give him a thousand, but you got to him before we did. He -doesn't dare appeal to the law----" - -"There are others who will act for him," broke in Matt. "There's the -making of a man in young Lorry, and if you do as you say you intend to, -you will end by making him no better than you are." - -"You're not very complimentary, it strikes me," said Red-whiskers -easily, bending down and groping under the bench with one hand. "We -might just as well take our boodle and get away from here. I had -planned to stay on the house boat all night, and run over to 'Frisco -in the launch in time to catch that steamer to-morrow, but you've -compelled us to change our plans. We'll take a night train, and---- -Where in blazes is that satchel?" - -Failing to find the satchel with one hand, Red-whiskers had used both -hands. Even then the treasure grip eluded him, and in a sudden flurry -he dropped to the floor on his knees and looked under the bench. The -next instant he had leaped up, maddened and furious. - -"It's gone!" he shouted. - -Kinky and Ross jumped as though they had been touched by a live wire. - -"Gone?" they echoed blankly. - -"You know something about this!" cried Red-whiskers, facing Ross -furiously. - -"What're you givin' us?" retorted Ross menacingly. "If you think you -can throw any such bluff as that, John, and make it stick, you've got -another guess coming. You've taken the satchel yourself! You never -intended to whack up with Kinky and me, and this is a move to corral -all the money." - -"Don't be a fool!" snapped Red-whiskers, studying Ross' face for a -moment, and then swerving his eyes to Kinky. - -The affair had a dark look, for a space, as both Kinky and Ross had -reached their hands under their coats. If the three scoundrels had a -quarrel among themselves, Matt felt that he would have a chance of -escape. His eager eyes traveled to the doors, and then to the window. - -"Look here, you two," went on Red-whiskers, his eyes glittering -fiendishly, "the satchel's gone. I'll take back what I said about you -two having had anything to do with trying to lift it. Certainly I -didn't--you ought to know that. We've all been in this room----" - -"Except when we ran aft to ketch that fellow," fumed Ross, indicating -Matt with a jerk of the head. "You was in here alone with the satchel -then, John. How do we know you didn't hide it on us?" - -"Mebby it was him!" stormed Kinky, stepping toward Matt. - -"How could it have been him?" objected Ross. "He was under the floor, -and we kept him busy every minute until he bobbed up through the after -hatch." - -"Then it was Landers!" cried Kinky. "I never did like that feller's -looks. I'll bet it was Landers! If----" - -Just at that moment the _chug-chug_ of a motor was heard outside. - -"He's turning over the engine!" cried Red-whiskers, jumping for one of -the doors. "Landers has got the satchel and he's getting away with it -in the boat." - -Red-whiskers threw himself against the door, trying to break it down. - -"Wait, confound it!" yelped Ross; "here's the key, John. I'll unlock -the door if you'll gi' me a chance." - -The three men paid no attention whatever to Matt. As soon as Ross could -unlock and throw open the door they all rushed out. - -The _San Bruno_ was still lying where she had been moored, but the -wheeze of a boat could be heard, and a craft, a cable's length away, -could be seen vanishing wraithlike into the shadows across the cove. - -"Landers has got another boat, somewhere, and he's running away in it!" -declared Kinky. - -"We'll overhaul him with the _San Bruno_," cried Red-whiskers, throwing -himself into the launch. "One of you stay behind and look after the -prisoner----" - -"Hang the prisoner!" answered Kinky. "The money means more to us than -he does." - -Ross cast off the rope that held the launch alongside the house boat, -and both he and Kinky sprang aboard the _San Bruno_. - -Matt, bewildered by the surprising events that had followed each other -so swiftly, stood on the forward deck of the houseboat and watched -while the _San Bruno_ got under way and started on the track of the -other boat. - -That other boat, of course, Matt knew to be the _Sprite_. But why was -she tearing off across the cove like that? Why were McGlory and Ping -leaving Matt when they must have known he was in difficulties? Had they -started for Tiburon to get a few policemen and bring them back to help -their comrade out of his trouble? - -As these questions sped through Matt's bewildered mind a laugh echoed -behind him--and he turned to face the most surprising of all the events -that had happened that night. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -M'GLORY'S RUN OF LUCK. - - -Joe McGlory, judging from the way fortune had turned her back on him -during his whole life, was positive that he had not been born "under -a lucky star." It was more likely, he thought, that he had been born -under the Dipper, and that the Dipper was upside down at the time. -Yet, be that as it might, luck had never had much to do with McGlory. -Whatever he got came to him always by hard knocks and persistent -grubbing. But there was a bright lining to the cloud, and this lining -was making ready to show itself. - -He sat impatiently on the stern thwarts of the _Sprite_, while Matt -was doing his reconnoitring on the house boat, waiting impatiently for -him to return and report. Ping was forward at the steering wheel of -the launch, feeling casually and with a certain amount of awe of every -lever that manipulated the motor and the gear. - -The little _Sprite_ was completely dwarfed by the larger boat alongside -of which she cuddled, like a young duck under the lee of its mother, -and the gloom of the higher bulwarks overshadowed McGlory and Ping. - -From time to time, the cowboy stood up and looked across the cockpit of -the _San Bruno_ toward the house boat. He saw Matt's head silhouetted -in the light from the cabin window, and finally he saw him move away -and vanish from sight behind the raised forward deck of the larger -motor boat. - -After that, McGlory champed the bit, and waited. As is usual in such -cases, the seconds dragged like minutes, and the minutes were like -hours. The cowboy finally made up his mind that something had gone -wrong, and that he ought to investigate. - -This feeling grew upon him until he could stand it no longer. Creeping -forward to where Ping was caressing the steering wheel, he paused -beside him for a moment. - -"Motor Matt's been gone so long, Ping," said he, in a low tone, "that -I'm afraid he has struck on a snag. If that's so, it's up to me to -flock over to the house boat and do my little best to get him out of -trouble. Savvy?" - -"Heap savvy," replied Ping. "By Klismus, China boy go 'long. Mebbyso -you makee fall in tlouble, China boy savee you, savee Matt, savee -evelbody. Huh?" - -"Never you mind about Matt and me, Ping," returned McGlory. "You stay -right here--and stop fooling with that machinery, too. First thing you -know you'll have the _Sprite_ turning a summerset, and that would be -about the worst thing that could happen to us. Stay right here, mind, -and wait until you hear from Matt or me before you budge." - -"Awri'," said Ping meekly. - -McGlory crawled over the hood, got aboard the _San Bruno_, and then -stepped softly to the deck of the house boat. - -A quick look around revealed the fact that Motor Matt was not in -evidence. Slipping forward along the port alley, the cowboy took a -hasty look through the lighted window. The three men were smoking, and -in close converse, but McGlory was more interested in locating Motor -Matt, just then, than in anything else. - -Instead of returning toward the after end of the house boat, he passed -on to the patch of deck at the forward end--and was thus out of the -whirl of excitement that was turned on at the rear of the craft. - -The yell given by Kinky when he lifted the trap in the floor of the -cabin and caught a glimpse of Matt reached McGlory's ears almost as -soon as he had gained the wider deck at the end of the boat. Almost -immediately he heard the scramble inside the cabin, and then the rush -of feet aft. - -He hesitated for a few seconds, not knowing what to do. Matt had got -into trouble, all right, but had he gotten out of it? - -Stepping quickly to a door which led directly into the lighted front -room of the cabin, McGlory softly turned the knob and pushed the door -open. The room was empty. A trap in the floor was open, and also a door -leading into a dark room beyond. From somewhere farther aft came angry -voices and more sounds of scuffling. - -"That means me, I reckon," thought the cowboy, rushing across the -lighted room and into the darker chamber farther on. It was his -intention to keep going and find out just what the struggle he had been -hearing might mean, and to do what he could for Motor Matt; but he -heard a sound behind him, just as he gained the darkness of the rear -room, which caused him to halt, turn cautiously, and peer backward. - -A tall, gangle-legged individual, with a mustache the color of dried -buffalo grass, a nose like a wart and eyes that looked like a couple -of wilted cactus blossoms, had entered the door which McGlory had left -open. - -The manner of this person aroused the cowboy's interest and curiosity. -If he was one of the gang, what was he doing there? And why was he -acting in such a stealthy manner, as though in a hurry and fearing to -be apprehended? - -McGlory, for a moment, curbed his desire to hurry on to the rear of the -house boat and stood and watched the stranger from the safe screen of -darkness. - -The man was looking for something, that was plain. Dropping to his -knees, he reached under a bench at one side of the room. What he wanted -wasn't there. He turned to the bench on the other side and gave an -exultant grunt as he pulled a satchel from under it. - -After flashing a wary look around him, he opened the satchel with -trembling fingers and drew forth a package of banknotes that made -McGlory stagger. - -Money! George Lorry's money! - -That is what the cowboy thought on the instant. With another jubilant -grunt, the stranger snapped the satchel shut and faded through the -front door. McGlory was about two seconds making up his mind, and then -faded after him. - -The man was out of sight when the cowboy reached the deck at the -forward end of the boat. Heavy feet were coming through the dark room -of the cabin, and McGlory knew it was hardly safe for him to stand in -the exposed position where he had placed himself. - -Wondering where the man had gone with the satchel and the money, he -stepped around the corner of the cabin into the starboard passage--and -saw the man just dodging around the opposite corner, on the after deck. - -"That's where I nail him!" thought McGlory, moving softly and swiftly -along the alley. - -As he passed the lighted window on that side of the cabin a curtain was -jerked down, and a door was slammed. Following this, a key grated in a -lock. Then another door was slammed and another key grated. - -The cowboy hesitated, trying to guess whether all that had anything to -do with the man who was making off with the satchel. Unable to reach -any conclusion, and convinced that his duty lay in following the man, -McGlory moved noiselessly onward. - -The light on the upright staff of the houseboat cast a faint glow on -the after deck, and here McGlory saw the man he was following again on -his knees and examining the packet of bills. - -In two jumps the cowboy was on the man's back. - -"Steady!" he hissed in the man's ear. - -The fellow began to struggle; and then, in a flash, the cowboy -remembered the revolver he had snatched out of his cousin's hand and -slipped into his pocket. In a twinkling he had the weapon out of the -pocket--and commanded the situation. - -"Don't shoot!" whined the man. "Great guns, I ain't done anythin' to -_you_." - -"Put that bunch of green goods back into the grip," ordered McGlory. - -"Thar she goes," said the man, letting the packet fall into the satchel. - -"Now give the grip a shove," continued McGlory, "so it'll be closer -to where I'm standing. That's the idea," he added, as the bag came -sliding toward him. "Now, pardner, I've got the money and you've got -the experience, and things are looking real fine. Who are you, anyhow?" - -"Landers," said the man. "I'm in charge o' this boat for Big John." - -"Big John, eh? I wonder if that's my friend, Mr. Smith, otherwise -Red-whiskers?" - -"That's him," answered Landers, "but you ain't no friend o' his, I'll -gamble." - -"Ain't I?" queried McGlory humorously. - -"You're a detective, an' you've come here to bag Big John an' them -other coves. But you don't need to bag me. I was only gettin' the money -to turn it over to the police." - -"Oh, speak to me about that!" chuckled McGlory. - -"Look out behind ye!" whispered Landers hoarsely. "Big John is----" - -McGlory turned. As he did so, Landers fell off the house boat and into -the cockpit of the _San Bruno_. - -"Ain't I easy?" grumbled McGlory, marking a half run across the deck -in the direction of the launch. "No," he muttered, "I won't do that, -either. I've got the ten thousand plunks belongin' to Uncle Dan, and I -guess I'll freeze onto 'em. Matt needs me, I reckon. With the grip in -one hand and George's pepper box in the other, I'll walk through the -cabin and see what I can do for this new pard of mine." - -The rear door of the cabin was unlocked. McGlory passed through it and -groped his way in the dark to the other door. - -He had barely reached the door when another commotion assailed his -ears, accompanied by loud voices. The voices were so loud, in fact, -that the cowboy could hear distinctly all that was said. - -Big John had just discovered the loss of the satchel, and a violent -scene was threatening. Then came the popping of the motor, and the rush -to get out of the cabin and pursue Landers. - -McGlory, beginning to understand what had happened and how the thieves -had been fooled, leaned against the wall of the cabin and sputtered -with merriment. - -"Speak to me about luck, will you?" he gasped. "This is once, anyhow, -that I've got the winning number. I reckon it's because I'm hooked up -with Motor Matt." - -He tried the bulkhead door, but found it locked. With a sudden thought, -he returned to the other door, took the key he found there from the -lock and tried it in the lock of the bulkhead door. It worked like a -charm, and McGlory, satchel in one hand and revolver in the other, -pushed into the lighted room. - -At the very least, he was expecting to find Motor Matt on the floor, -tied hand and foot. McGlory's astonishment was great, therefore, when -he discovered that Matt was not in the room. A form stood just outside -the door, on the forward deck, vaguely outlined in the darkness. - -It was Matt, there was no doubt about it. Thoughts of the way events -had shaped themselves to befool the thieves rushed over the cowboy -again, and once more he dropped against the side of the cabin. He -exploded a laugh that brought Matt into the room at a double quick, and -held him, just inside the door, staring as though at a ghost. - -"McGlory!" muttered Matt, rubbing his eyes. - -"Keno, correct--and more, much more. It's McGlory, Matt, and McGlory's -got the _dinero_. Come to me, put your little hand in mine for a good -shake, and let's felicitate. This will be happy news for Cousin George!" - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -WAITING AND WORRYING. - - -"In the name of all that's good, Joe," cried Matt, as he and the cowboy -shook hands, "where did you come from?" - -"From the _Sprite_, pard," grinned McGlory. "But that was some sort of -a while ago. I've been on the house boat for quite a spell." - -"Where did you get that satchel?" - -"It's got the bundle of money in it, Matt--Uncle Dan's money _sabe_?" - -"Yes, yes, I know! I saw the red-whiskered man take the money out of -the satchel, then put it back again and push the satchel under that -bench. But how did _you_ get hold of it? That's what I want to know." - -McGlory dropped the satchel and collapsed on the bench. - -"Oh, that's the best ever," he laughed. "Those old hardshells were -fooled at their own game. Queer about that money of Uncle Dan's. It's -been in a good deal of a taking ever since it left Madison. George -takes it from Uncle Dan, Red-whiskers takes it from George, Landers -takes it from Red-whiskers, and now here's me taking it from Landers." - -"Landers?" queried Mitt. "Did he take the money?" - -"Took it the length of the boat. By then I was close enough to get hold -of it myself. But you cut loose and tell me what went crossways with -you--I've been worried a heap about that--and then I'll even up by -tellin' how I jumped into the game." - -Matt made short work of his end of the explanation, and McGlory -consumed but little more time. While McGlory was talking, Matt was not -only listening but also putting two and two together in his own mind. - -The cowboy finished with another jubilant laugh, but Matt suddenly -became grave and got up from the bench. - -"Let's go outside, Joe," said he, "where we can keep an eye on our -surroundings." - -"What's there in our surroundings to worry us? We've got the money, -haven't we?" - -"Yes, but the 'taking' you mentioned a few minutes ago may keep -up--unless we're on the alert. Suppose Big John, Kinky, and Ross come -back here in the _San Bruno_? What would happen then? We haven't any -_Sprite_ to take us off, remember." - -"That's a fact," and McGlory went suddenly grave himself. "What ever -came over that chink to run off? Say, I'll bet he got to tinkering with -the motor, and that it started on him and he couldn't stop it. Consarn -these chinks, anyhow!" - -"Don't be too quick to blame Ping, Joe," remonstrated Matt. "I don't -think that's what happened." - -"What then?" - -"Landers thought you were a detective, didn't he?" - -"That's what he said." - -"Well, he was afraid of being arrested and jailed for helping Big John -and the other two. That's the reason he played a trick and tumbled off -the boat." - -"Well? Go on, pard, and give me the rest of it." - -"Don't you think it's likely that he climbed aboard the _Sprite_, took -her away from Ping, and then rushed her across the cove to the nearest -landing?" - -"Oh, tell me!" muttered McGlory. "And I never, no, I never once let -that drift into my head! And yet, why not? Wasn't it the natural thing -for Landers to do? Any day you can find in the almanac, pard, I'm shy -something when it comes to headwork. But here's the point: Can Landers -run the _Sprite_ fast enough to keep her away from the _San Bruno_? -If he can't, I can see what will happen to Ping and Landers when that -outfit of fire-eaters come up with them. Oh, shucks! This ain't turnin' -out so pleasant as I thought. Suppose we hike for the deck and keep our -eyes peeled. It may save us something, although I'm a heathen if I see -what we could do if the _San Bruno_ came back." - -"If we have to," said Matt, "we'll take the money and swim to the -nearest house boat." - -"It will be a damp roll of bills we take ashore with us if we have to -do that." - -"Better a lot of wet money, Joe, than no money at all." - -"Right, exactly right, as per usual. I've got this pop-gun of Cousin -George's. It looks like one of those toy Fourth of July things that -make a noise and let it go at that. Still, maybe the sight of the thing -would scare somebody." - -Together they left the cabin, and, in order that their view might be -more extensive, climbed the steep stairs to the house boat's upper -deck. Here there were comfortable chairs, and the boys sat down and -allowed their eyes to wander about them over the shadowy surface of the -cove. - -The lights of the house-boat settlement were still gleaming in every -direction, but every sound had died away and a dead silence reigned. - -"If a launch was coming," said McGlory, "we could hear her a mile -off--which is three times as far as we could see her." - -"That's right," said Matt, "and I'm hearing one now. Listen! Unless I'm -away off in my reckoning a boat is bearing this way from the direction -of Tiburon." - -McGlory bent his head. - -"You've made a bull's-eye, Matt," said he. "A boat's coming, but is it -the _Sprite_ or the _San Bruno_?" - -"It's the _San Bruno_," averred Matt. - -"How do you make that out?" queried the wondering cowboy. - -"Why, a bigger volume of sound, distance considered, than the _Sprite_ -makes. I noticed that particularly when we were chasing the _San Bruno_ -across the bay." - -"Well, you've got me beat, plumb. We've got to swim, I reckon, going -off one side of the house boat as the launch ties up at the other?" - -"We'll not take to the water until we have to, Joe. Wait until we can -get a good look at the boat." - -Standing on the upper deck, the two boys faced in the direction of the -approaching launch, and waited and worried. - -Slowly, and after a period of time that seemed interminable, a blot of -shadow came gliding toward them from among the clustered lights of the -house boats. - -Matt whirled to grip McGlory's arm. - -"What's to pay now, pard?" asked the startled cowboy. - -"Why," answered Matt, "two boats are coming!" - -"Two?" echoed McGlory, squinting in the direction of the moving blot. -"I can't make out more than one, and it's plenty hard to see that." - -"One is chasing the other--I can tell by the sounds, alone." - -"Good ear--remarkable. Put a lot of bronks on a hard trail and I can -shut my eyes and tell you how many there are, up to five, by listening. -But a boat's a different proposition. How do you know one is chasing -the other, though? That's what gets me." - -"Because," answered Matt, "the boat ahead is the _Sprite_ and the one -behind is the _San Bruno_!" - -"Sufferin' whirligigs!" exclaimed McGlory. "How far ahead is the -_Sprite_?" - -"We can tell in a minute. Both boats are close--and the _San Bruno_ has -put out her light. Ah, look!" - -Matt leaned over the rail and pointed. By that time the boats could be -easily distinguished. The _Sprite_ was pounding along in a distressing -way that proved there was something wrong with her sparking apparatus -or her fuel supply, but, in spite of that, she was doing nobly. - -"It can't be that Ping is doing the work on the _Sprite_," muttered -McGlory. - -"It sounds as though it might be Ping," said Matt. - -"But he can't run the boat! Didn't we see him try, at the Tiburon -landing?" - -"He's been watching me, and I think he's learned what to pull and -push and turn in order to keep the boat moving. A Chinaman is a good -imitator, Joe. The _San Bruno_ is giving our launch a close race, and -we'd better go down and stand ready to leap aboard the moment Ping -stops for us." - -Hurrying down the steps, the two boys placed themselves at the edge of -the house boat's after deck, ready to jump the moment the _Sprite_ came -close enough. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -PING STARS HIMSELF. - - -Ping was not impatient, while waiting for Matt and McGlory to come -back from the house boat, and he was not worrying. His callow mind was -engaged with the wheels and levers of the _Sprite's_ machinery, and he -might be said to be enjoying himself, in his artless, heathen way. - -His first acquaintance with the _Sprite_ had not been of a pleasant -nature, but Ping had overcome his awe and fear, to a large extent, by -watching how readily the boat obeyed the touch of Motor Matt's hands. - -The Chinese boy had observed all the details of starting, steering, and -stopping. Sitting alone in the launch, he touched the various levers -in proper order, again and again--touched them lightly, for he had no -desire to make the boat turn a "summerset," as McGlory had said she -would do if he got too free with his attentions. - -The uproar and commotion that started abruptly on the house boat and -continued at intervals for some time, naturally drew the Chinaman's -eyes across the _San Bruno_. But the attraction of the motor was too -much for Ping to withstand, and he jumped at a conclusion to assure -himself that everything was well with Matt and McGlory, and returned to -his childlike interest in the machinery. - -Some one scrambled off the _San Bruno_ into the _Sprite_. The rough -boarding of the little launch caused her to sway and shiver and dance -at the end of her painter. - -"You makee plenty fuss, McGloly!" complained Ping, grabbing at the -sides of the boat to hold himself upright. - -Before he could look around a rough hand had caught his queue and -jerked him over backward. - -"Not a bloomin' word out o' you, chink!" hissed a menacing voice in -Ping's ear. "Ahead with ye, now, and unloose the painter. If you don't -hustle, I'll kick yer inter next week. This is a hurry-up call, and -don't you fergit that!" - -Ping didn't wait to argue the question. Rolling over the top of the -hood, he knelt in the bow and tore the painter loose from the iron -ring. The engine was chugging by the time he had finished, and when the -_Sprite_ started, under the impulsive hands of the strange white man, -she leaped away with a jolt that rolled Ping back into the arms of the -boat's captor. - -With an oath, the man hurled Ping into the bottom of the boat. He would -as soon have tumbled the Chinese boy into the water, and it was luck, -rather than design, that kept Ping out of the wet. - -Crawling back on the stern thwarts, Ping leaned on his elbows, blinking -his little eyes and trying to guess what had happened. - -Behind, over the swiftly growing stretch of water, he heard an uproar -on the house boat, then the pant and throb of another engine. - -The strange white man looked around and swore. - -"They're chasin' me, but they won't get me!" he muttered. "If this boat -can put me ashore ahead of 'em, I'll save my bacon dry-shod; an' if it -can't, by thunder, I'll take to the water and swim!" - -Ping heard this, and dwelt upon the words for some time. The strange -white man was running away from the other devil-boat. What had the -strange white man done? Were Matt and McGlory on the other devil-boat -trying to catch him? Or was it the three bad 'Melican men who were -doing the chasing? - -Ping couldn't figure it out. About all he realized was that there was -a race between the _Sprite_ and the _San Bruno_. Inasmuch as the _San -Bruno_ belonged to the enemy, Ping hoped in his heart that the _Sprite_ -would leave her behind. - -They were making for the shore of the cove, but the strange white man -was handling the boat badly. He didn't push or pull the way Motor Matt -did, and the imprisoned devil under the hood--the power that made the -propeller whirl--coughed and spluttered with rage and pounded on the -machinery with iron hammers. - -It got on Ping's nerves, and he hoisted himself to a sitting posture. - -"By Klismus," he cried frantically, "you lettee Ping lun engine! Him -makee go chop-chop, keepee _Splite_ away flom othel boat!" - -The strange white man looked around with a snarl. - -"Shut up!" he roared, "or I'll toss ye into the drink, so help me!" - -Ping shut up. Lying back on the thwart he watched the other boat draw -nearer and nearer. The shore was yet a good way off, and it was plain -the _San Bruno_ would overhaul the _Sprite_ before the land could be -reached. And how the good devil under the hood was fighting to do -better! How hard it was begging the strange white man to treat it -right, and let it work easier and take the _Sprite_ away from the other -boat. - -Ping gave a deep groan. Oh, if he was only at the wheel, and the -pull-things and the push-things! - -He looked around for something to throw at the strange white man. If -a monkey wrench, or a hatchet, had been convenient, then one Landers -would probably never have known what struck him. - -But, fortunately for Landers--and for Ping, too--no weapon was -available, and the race went on. The shore was near now, but the _San -Bruno_ was nearer. - -Ping, straining his eyes through the dark, could see the men on the -_San Bruno_. There were three of them, and their boat was less than -three lengths away! - -Suddenly the _Sprite_ slewed around, crosswise of the _San Bruno's_ -course. Ping started up with a frightened yell, a splash echoing in his -ears. - -There was no one at the wheel or the levers! Ping's almond eyes turned -swiftly shoreward, and there they saw a form in the water, swimming -strongly toward the land. - -But Ping was not thinking of the strange white man, but of the -_Sprite_. Hurling himself forward across the midship thwart, he seized -the steering wheel and turned the launch in a wide circle. - -A shout went up from the _San Bruno_. - -"Halt, Landers! You can't get away with that money! Stop and drop -alongside or we'll cut you down to the water's edge!" - -Ping, naturally, couldn't understand this. The voice that had called -out was not the voice of Motor Matt or McGlory. Since they were not on -the _San Bruno_, then, of course, they must still be on the house boat. - -The Chinese boy started back over the watery trail which the _Sprite_ -had recently traversed under the guidance of the white man. Carefully -he doctored the motor, pulling and pushing as he had seen Matt push and -pull, all the while breathing choice prayers in his native tongue to -placate the demon in the engine. - -The devil must have been placated, at least a little, for he did not -clamor quite so loud, but at intervals he hammered in a way that was -very distressing to Ping. However, Ping couldn't help it, so he settled -himself down to his steering, occasionally throwing a look over his -shoulder at the other boat. - -The _Sprite_ was gaining on her slowly. Ping continued to breathe his -heathen prayers, and to beg the honorable demon to stop pounding in the -machine and to put its extra power into the little wheel under the boat. - -As the _Sprite_ came closer and closer to the house boat Ping was able -to see two figures on the upper deck. - -Were they Motor Matt and McGlory? He guessed they were not, while -hoping that they were. Anyhow, he would have to stop. His nerves -fluttered as he wondered if he would be able to stop. - -He had watched Matt as he brought the _Sprite_ alongside the _San -Bruno_. As he remembered it, Matt had begun to play with the levers -before the launch was very near the larger craft. - -Matt, it will be recalled, had done this in order to let the _Sprite_ -glide noiselessly to her berth. Ping repeated the manoeuvre, and -McGlory danced around on the house boat's deck, fuming at the delay -caused by the halted motor. - -The _San Bruno_ was almost bunting into the stern of _Sprite_ as the -two boys made flying leaps to get aboard. The impact of their bodies -came within one of swamping the little craft, and Matt stumbled to the -steering wheel and got busy without losing an instant. - -Ping slid backward over the midship thwart, yielding his place meekly -and gladly; and then, with McGlory, he watched while Motor Matt plucked -the _Sprite_ out of harm's way. - -It was so neatly done that Ping's heart swelled within him, and he -slapped his hands and said glad things in Chinese. One touch of Motor -Matt's hand, and the demon stopped pounding. A hum as of an industrious -hive of bees came from under the hood, and the launch gathered itself -together and flung onward with a fresh burst of speed. - -The _San Bruno_, those aboard her still under the impression that -Landers was on the _Sprite_--perhaps, in the darkness, mistaking Ping -for their renegade comrade--continued to give pursuit. - -It was a hopeless chase, however, and when the _Sprite_ gained her old -berth at the Tiburon wharf the _San Bruno_ had given up and turned back -into the night. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -A NEW TWIST--BY GEORGE. - - -"Speak to me about that!" gulped McGlory, as he, and Matt and Ping -climbed out of the _Sprite_ to the top of the wharf. "Little Slant-eyes -has starred himself. But how he ever did it stumps me." - -"How did you do it, Ping?" asked Matt, leaning against the post to -which he had secured the launch and peering across the water to see if -there was any sign of the _San Bruno_ in the gloom. - -"By jee-clickets," bubbled Ping, "me allee same big high China boy. -Fightee like Sam Hill, workee allee same. Whoosh!" - -"And that's the way he did it," commented McGlory. - -"My no savvy," admitted Ping. "Plenty quick 'Melican man takee boat, -plenty quick him dlop ovelbo'd, plenty quick my come back to othel -boatee. No savvy ally mo." - -"You did well, anyhow," said Matt. - -"Awri'. My workee fo' Motol Matt allee time." - -"What now, pard?" asked McGlory. "We got out of that bunch of -excitement with ground to spare, but why do we tie up here? Why don't -we keep right on to 'Frisco? George is going to hand us five apiece, -you know," he added, with a laugh, "providing we fork over this ten -thousand before the steamer sails for Honolulu." - -"George will have to wait while we send some officers out to that house -boat," said Matt. - -"You haven't an idea those three tinhorns will have the nerve to go -back to the house boat, have you?" - -"They may, to pick up their traps. That makes it necessary for us to -act quickly, if we are to accomplish anything. Come on, and we'll hunt -up police headquarters." - -Ping hesitated. - -"What's the matter with you, chink?" asked McGlory. "Ain't you coming -with us?" - -"No can do," replied Ping. "My no leavee boat. Mebbyso my makee sleep -in boat, huh? Plenty fine place. My no lettee 'Melican man lun away -with him some mo'." - -"Stay here if you want to, Ping," answered Matt. - -"That's the heathen of it," grunted McGlory. "He'd rather bunk in the -bottom of the _Sprite_, with his legs doubled over the thwarts, than to -rest on a good mattress like a Christian." - -"Here's one Christian that's ready to rest," said Matt. - -"And here's another," added McGlory. "Listen. Do you recollect that we -haven't had a feed since we took that quick-order lunch at noon?" - -"Yes." - -"Well, no wonder we're hungry and fagged. Let's make rush work of this -police business, and then tumble into our blankets." - -It was an hour before they got a detail of officers started in a launch -for the house boat, and incidentally looking for the _San Bruno_; and -half an hour longer before they dropped into bed and went to sleep. - -They awoke late next morning, which was to be expected, considering -the hour at which they retired, and their exhausted condition; and -they would not have got up when they did had a smart summons not been -pounded on their door. - -"Speak to me about this," snorted McGlory, sitting up and yawning. -"Who's got the nerve to hammer on that door before we've done anything -but go to bed and turn over?" - -"It's been several hours since we went to bed, Joe," laughed Matt, -pointing to the sunlight streaming through the window. "The sun looks -to be nearly noon-high. Who's there?" he called, as the knocking at the -door went on. - -"Officer from headquarters," came the response from the hall. - -"Sufferin' horn toads!" exclaimed McGlory, leaping out of bed and -hurrying to the door. "Mebby he's come to tell us Big John, Kinky, and -Ross have been bagged." - -But the officer had no such report to make. - -"We found the house boat deserted, when we went out to her last night," -he said, coming into the room. "Two men were left aboard of her and -the rest of the detail went nosing around the bay looking for the _San -Bruno_." - -"Did you find the launch?" asked Matt. - -"Yes--tied up at Sausalito. No sign of the three men whom you -described; but three passengers took a train from Sausalito, in the -small hours of the morning, and it may be that they are the fellows we -were after. If they were, then they have made good their escape." - -"A nice handful of cold fish you're giving us, officer," said McGlory. - -"Can't help it," returned the officer. "We did the best we could." - -"Who owns that house boat?" asked Matt. - -"A gentleman who lives in Oakland. He rents the _Griselda_ for part of -the season when he's not using her himself." - -"He rented her to that precious outfit of crooks and tinhorns, did he?" -struck in McGlory, scrambling into his clothes. "What sort of a gent is -that Oakland man, anyway?" - -"He's all right," declared the officer. "We talked with him over the -phone, a while ago, and told him to send some one to look after the -boat. He said he rented the _Griselda_ to a stranger named Higgins, who -paid him eighty dollars in advance for a month's rent." - -"Higgins!" muttered McGlory. "That's another label for Big John. Wonder -how many names Red-whiskers has got?" - -"Well," said Matt, "it's too bad, officer, but, as you say, it can't be -helped." - -"We've placed your description of the rascals on file," finished the -officer, as he turned to leave, "and if they ever show up here, or in -'Frisco, again, they'll be run in." - -"Mebby," qualified McGlory. "Tie a string to that remark, officer." - -"We'll do the best we can to keep watch for them, anyhow," averred the -officer. - -Motor Matt and McGlory had a late--a very late--breakfast; then, after -Matt had had a good meal put in a paper bag for Ping, the two boys -started for the _Sprite_. - -To their surprise, neither Ping nor the _Sprite_ were where they had -been left; nor could any inquiries develop their whereabouts. - -"It's good-by, Ping," laughed McGlory. "I reckon he made up his mind -that he didn't want to work for you any longer, Matt." - -"I'm glad of it, Joe, if that's really the case," answered Matt. "I -haven't the least notion in the world what I could have found for the -Chinaman to do. But I can't think that he's pulled out for good. He -seemed too anxious to tie to me to break away so suddenly as that." - -"Well, wherever he went he went in the _Sprite_. We can feel sure that -Big John and his pals haven't had anything to do with the chink's -disappearance. They're too busy getting themselves out of sight, pard, -to bother with any one else." - -Matt and McGlory went to the ferry house and caught the next boat for -'Frisco. On the way across the bay Matt gave Ping's breakfast to a -little chap who looked as though he needed it. - -McGlory carried the satchel with the ten thousand dollars. It had been -glued to him ever since he got hands on it aboard the house boat. - -By one o'clock the boys were at the hotel inquiring of the -frowsy-looking clerk as to whether "Mr. Thompson" was in his room. Both -boys thought the inquiry rather needless, but concluded to put it as a -mere formality. They were a good deal taken aback, therefore, when the -clerk informed them that Mr. Thompson had gone out about nine o'clock -and hadn't returned. - -"Now what?" muttered McGlory, taking Matt's arm and leading him off -into a corner. "We've got George's money, but no George. Do you think, -pard, that he raised enough money on something to pay his passage to -Honolulu?" - -"Certainly not, Joe," answered Matt. "He wouldn't leave town until he -had learned more about that ten thousand dollars." - -"But he promised to stay here! Still, as for that, he always was a fine -hand at making promises. If George isn't here, I don't reckon we're -obliged to hang out in this honkatonk. The more I see of it, the more -I'm sorry the earthquake didn't give it a few extra shakes and put it -out of business. We'll go to some other hotel, and on our way there -we'll just step into a telegraph office and shoot a few reassuring -words to Uncle Dan." - -"We could make them more reassuring, Joe," suggested Matt, "if we -waited to find George before sending the telegram." - -"I wouldn't bet a whole lot, Matt, that we're going to find him." - -"Oh, yes, we are, and perhaps quicker than you think." - -As a matter of fact, they found George a good deal sooner than even -Matt had any idea they would, for he was on the sidewalk, making for -the hotel door, as Matt and McGlory passed out. - -Young Lorry was quite a swell-looking boy, togged out in another suit, -but there was an air about him that suggested conceit, carelessness -of others' feelings, and a haughty confidence in himself that was too -plain for a favorable impression. - -Lorry was surprised at seeing Matt and McGlory, and, quite naturally, -Matt and McGlory were not only surprised, but delighted to come upon -the missing youth so soon. - -"Howdy, George?" called McGlory. "We've just been asking for you." - -"You have--not," retorted Lorry. "You didn't want to see me, and you -know it." He turned to a policeman who was standing behind him, and -who, up to that moment, had escaped the notice of Matt and the cowboy. -"There they are, officer," went on Lorry. "Arrest them." - -Matt and McGlory were stunned. - -"Arrest us?" queried Matt. "For what?" - -"For trying to run away with ten thousand dollars belonging to me," -asserted Lorry. "You were to bring it back last night, and you didn't. -Arrest them, why don't you, officer? What are you standing there like -that for?" - -"There are always two sides to a story," said the policeman. "We've -heard your side, young man, and now we'll hear the other." - -Matt's amazement remained with him, but McGlory's rapidly dispelled. - -"A new twist--by George," remarked McGlory dryly. "When you've known -him as long as I have, Matt, you'll not be surprised at anything he -does. Come back into this hotel with us, officer," the cowboy went on -to the policeman, "and we'll tell you all you want to know, and perhaps -more. But hang on to that false alarm who was towing you this way. He -may try to bolt before we get through." - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -ANOTHER TWIST--BY MATT AND M'GLORY. - - -"I don't like your attitude," said Lorry haughtily, to the officer when -they were all in the office. - -"Naturally," grinned the policeman, "I'm not responsible for that." - -"Well," ordered George, "search them, take the money and give it to me. -That's all I want. They've got it, I know they have." - -"You bet we've got it, George," said McGlory, opening the satchel -and fishing out the bunch of bills. "How does that look to you? -Everything's all shipshape, too, even to the name of the bank on the -wrapper." - -George gave a cry of delight and started forward. - -"See him!" cried McGlory, calmly pushing his cousin back with one hand -and thrusting the money into his breast pocket with the other. - -"I want that, McGlory," snapped George. - -"I know you do, but you don't get it." - -"Come, come," put in the officer. "There's a whole lot of money in that -roll----" - -"Ten thousand, officer." - -"Does it belong to this young fellow?" - -"Not that anybody knows. He stole it, and we've just got it back from a -bunch of crooks who lifted it from him." - -The officer frowned. - -"Ah," he muttered, "this is beginning to look serious. He says you two -boys are thieves, and now you're accusing him of being a thief." - -"There's a difference, officer," said McGlory. - -"Difference?" - -"Sure. We can prove our case, and he can't prove his." - -"How'll you prove it?" - -"Why, by sending a telegram to this young chap's father, in Madison, -Wisconsin. Police headquarters will keep the money until an answer is -received to that message." - -Lorry went pale and began to tremble. - -"I won't have it that way," he declared hotly. - -"I guess you will," said the officer grimly. "That's a fair way to -settle this business, and you ought to abide by your father's orders if -these other young fellows are willing to." - -"They've got some game they're trying to play," scowled George, "and I -won't stand for it. I'll make you all sorry for this," he threatened, -turning away. - -The officer grabbed him before he had taken two steps. - -"Where you going, Lorry?" he asked. - -"Take your hands off of me!" ordered Lorry, striking feebly at the big -fist that had collared him. "I'm going where I please, and you've no -right to interfere with me." - -"You're going to headquarters," asserted the policeman, "and it's there -you'll stay until an answer is returned to that telegram." - -"You gave the game a twist, George," grinned McGlory, "and now here's -another twist, by Motor Matt and me." - -"What made you think of such a foolish move, George?" asked Matt. "You -didn't really think we were trying to steal that money, did you?" - -"How'd I know?" snarled Lorry sullenly. "I haven't a very good opinion -of McGlory, and if you travel around with him I can't have a much -better opinion of you." - -Motor Matt was disgusted. - -"McGlory and I will go to headquarters with you, officer," said he, -"and explain this to the chief. The quicker that telegram is sent, the -better." - -The straightforward story which Matt and the cowboy told the chief of -police aroused nothing but pity and contempt for young Lorry. - -A telegram was forwarded to George's father, at Madison, and all three -of the boys were treated as guests, rather than as prisoners, by the -chief while they awaited an answer to the message. - -This interval Matt put in to good advantage. In his memorandum book he -had the number of the baggage check which had been turned over to Big -John, and also the name of the railroad by which it had been issued. - -At Matt's suggestion, the chief sent a couple of officers to the depot -to examine the trunk, and also to warn the railroad officials to call a -policeman at once in case any man presented the baggage check and tried -to claim the trunk. - -In two hours the two officers were back, highly elated. They had opened -the trunk and had found it to contain, securely packed in a lot of -clothing, a very complete burglar's kit. - -"We can understand now," remarked the chief, "why those rascals were so -anxious to secure the trunk check. In order to claim the trunk without -the check, they would have had to identify the property. They would -have looked nice describing that set of burglar's tools, wouldn't they? -My word for it, no one will ever show up at the station and try to -claim that trunk. After what has happened, it would be altogether too -dangerous." - -The trunk and the burglar's kit were confiscated by the police. - -It was evening before McGlory received a telegram from his Uncle -Dan. The message was a long one, and entirely satisfactory to the -authorities, even if not so pleasing to Lorry. - -The message ran as follows: - - "Thank you for what you have done. My desire is to have you take - charge of money and to bring George back home. This Motor Matt, who - has already been of so much aid, might be willing to come with you - and help still further. Use as much of the money as needed for your - expenses. Prefer to have George brought home by you than to send - officers for him. Bring him whether he wants to come or not. We will - take care of him when he gets here." - -"I'll not go," declared Lorry, when the telegram was read to him. - -"I guess you will, old chap," said McGlory. "There'll be two of us, and -if we have to, you know, we can carry you to the train." - -If Lorry's looks reflected his feelings, his frame of mind was anything -but enviable. As a precaution, he was to be left at police headquarters -until train time. - -"You're going along, eh, pard?" asked McGlory, as soon as he had got -Matt where he could talk to him privately. - -"It's a sudden turn for me," answered Matt. "Yesterday, at this time, -I hadn't any more idea of going to Wisconsin than I had of going to -China." - -"What difference does it make to you where you are, Matt, so long as -you're making a little good money?" - -"Money isn't everything, Joe." - -"No more it ain't, but in this case, Matt, you're helping a couple of -mighty good people--and by that, I mean Uncle Dan and Aunt Mollie." - -"If I go, McGlory, it will be to help somebody else." - -"Who?" - -"Why, George, himself. I think there's good stuff in him if it could be -brought out." - -"Hear him! Matt, George is as near a false alarm as you'll find -anywhere. He's not more than half baked; if he wasn't all of that, do -you think he'd have tried to have us arrested for stealing that money?" - -"He's all worked up, now, and has been for quite a while," explained -Matt. "When a fellow's in that condition, Joe, he's not wholly -responsible for what he does." - -"Talk about making a man of George is all a summer breeze, Matt. He -hasn't a thing to build on, if you count out the cigarette habit." - -Matt mused for a little while. - -"He likes motor boats, I believe you said, Joe?" he queried at last. - -"Well, yes," laughed McGlory, "a liking for boats seems to run in the -family. It was a motor boat, you _sabe_, that started George on his -last dash for the Pacific Slope and freedom. But what of that?" - -"I was thinking that a course of motor boats might develop George into -a different person." - -McGlory whistled. Then he laughed. - -"You're over my head, Matt," said he, "but that's nothing. The point -is, will you go? I don't care what sort of a fool notion takes you, -just so you see me through to the end of the trip." - -"I'll go," replied Matt. - -McGlory reached out his hand. - - -THE END. - - - - -THE NEXT NUMBER (22) WILL CONTAIN - -Motor Matt's Enemies; - -OR, - -A STRUGGLE FOR THE RIGHT. - - On the Road to Waunakee--Into a Noose, and Out of It Again--George's - Sister--The "Jump Spark"--By Express, Charges Collect--"Pickerel - Pete"--George and McGlory Missing--Setting a Snare--Enemies to be - Feared--Between Fire and Water--Chums to the Rescue--How Fate Threw - the Dice--Under the Overturned Boat--A Dash for the Open--The Power - Boat, Minus the Power--A Reconciliation. - - - - -MOTOR STORIES - -THRILLING ADVENTURE MOTOR FICTION - -NEW YORK, July 17, 1909. - - -TERMS TO MOTOR STORIES MAIL SUBSCRIBERS. - -(_Postage Free._) - -Single Copies or Back Numbers, 5c. Each. - - 3 months 65c. - 4 months 85c. - 6 months $1.25 - One year 2.50 - 2 copies one year 4.00 - 1 copy two years 4.00 - -=How to Send Money=--By post-office or express money-order, registered -letter, bank check or draft, at our risk. At your own risk if sent by -currency, coin, or postage-stamps in ordinary letter. - -=Receipts=--Receipt of your remittance is acknowledged by proper change -of number on your label. If not correct you have not been properly -credited, and should let us know at once. - - ORMOND G. SMITH, } - GEORGE C. SMITH, } _Proprietors_. - - STREET & SMITH, Publishers, - 79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York City. - - - - -THE MAN-EATER. - - -I was traveling on duty from Kolicaad on the coast to an inland -station, by a road, crossing the Western Ghauts, which was entirely -new to me. Two bullock carts carried my kit; my half a dozen servants -marched alongside, while I headed the procession on horseback. Before -leaving Kolicaad I had ascertained that the route was furnished -throughout with travelers' rest houses; that after the first three -marches the country became wild; that a few coffee plantations--managed -by Europeans--lay scattered about the loftier hills, and that from -the third stage--Cerrianaad--right away to the further foot of the -Ghauts, I would traverse heavy jungle, said to be swarming with wild -animals. This last piece of information would have gladdened a seasoned -shikarrie--or sportsman--but to me it was immaterial, as I was not -much given that way. I was only nineteen years of age, owned nothing -in the shape of firearms, and had yet to acquire that love of big game -shooting which took such strong hold of me in after years. - -After we passed Cerrianaad the country became more hilly, the track -zigzagged and curved, the dense jungle shut in the road, hamlets grew -fewer and further between, and the only natives to be seen abroad were -wayfarers--all in large bodies--who told us that they purposely made up -parties for the sake of security. I could see that my followers were -fast becoming uneasy; they huddled together, while the bullock drivers -frantically urged their sluggish cattle into keeping pace with me on -horseback. We reached the next stage--Wuddagherry--without adventure; -but here we learned something that well-nigh drove my servants into a -panic, and made me ardently wish that I had a gun of any description -in my hands. Soon after our arrival the head man of Wuddagherry hamlet -came to me and asked if I intended going on to Malanaad the following -day. I understood him, for I had already picked up the local language. - -"Yes," I replied. - -"You must take care to reach it as early as possible, sir; for it is a -long stage, fifteen miles; the road is difficult, and very dangerous." - -"How is it more dangerous than from Cerrianaad to this?" I inquired -with surprise; for no one at Kolicaad had said anything about the stage -in question being particularly perilous. - -"Almost opposite to Malanaad hamlet, sir, about a quarter of a mile -off the road to the right, an English gentleman has lately commenced -clearing the jungle to make a coffee plantation. He has built an iron -house and iron lines for his coolies." - -"That's good news, head man: I shall certainly go and stay the night -with the gentleman rather than at the Malanaad bungalow--all by myself." - -"But, sir," continued the villager, now speaking in an awed whisper, -"a man-eating tiger that is supposed to have wandered up from the low -country on the other side is haunting the plantation! The Malanaad -hamlet is walled in; the people do not stir out after dark, so the -tiger is preying on the gentleman's coolies, who are not so protected." - -Danger, indeed! I had heard and read of man eaters, but had never -encountered one. What if the demon happened to be lurking by the -roadside as we passed? What if he should pop out on to us? What could I -do? Nothing! - -"Is the gentleman by himself?" - -"No, sir; he has a son of about thirteen years, and a little daughter, -much younger. I saw them all when they rested here on their way up." - -"No lady?" - -"No, sir; but there was an old ayah who attended on the little girl." - -I felt sorry for the isolated Englishman, especially when I thought -of his two children, leading a lonely life in a jungle, cut off from -the society of those of their own color. Knowing how gladly they would -welcome me, I should certainly have claimed the planter's hospitality -for one night at least had not the villager's news about the tiger -put me off the idea. No, I was not going to run any risk: I would go -straight to the Malanaad bungalow. - -After dismissing the head man, I summoned my trembling followers, -heartened them as best I could, and added that we would start -sufficiently early in the morning to insure our reaching Malanaad well -before sundown. - -Accordingly, we set out soon after dawn, and proceeded in close order, -keeping a bright lookout on all sides. The road wound, dipped, and -climbed; the thick jungle lined it on both flanks, and frequently -formed a canopy over our heads. We heard occasional weird cries in the -forest, but saw nothing; and we met no one till the afternoon, when, -all at once, as we cleared a bend, I saw a narrow road branching off to -the right, and three figures standing under a tree just where the two -tracks joined. One was a European lad of some thirteen years, the other -a flaxen-haired little girl of eight or so--both wearing sun hats--and -the third an old ayah, or maid; the planter's children, no doubt, with -the maid in attendance. But why there--a quarter of a mile from their -home? Why with only a solitary old native woman, while a man-eating -tiger, not to say other dangerous animals, perhaps crouched in the very -thicket behind them? My blood curdled as I thought it. No sooner did -they behold me than all three ran forward. - -"Halloa! Who are you?" I asked, dismounting and signing my carts to -halt. - -"Oh, we are so glad to see you!" answered the boy, eagerly and -breathlessly. "My name is Jimmy Simpson: this is my sister Maud, and -the old woman is her nurse. We are Mr. Simpson's children: we live up -at the plantation, and--and we are in great trouble." - -"What trouble?" I demanded. - -"A man-eating tiger commenced coming here a few nights ago, and has -killed several of our coolies. My father has not been able to shoot -it. Many of the coolies ran away; and, as father could not make the -plantation without men, he and Pote have gone down the other side of -the hills to get some." - -"Who's Pote?" - -"Father's assistant. They went the day before yesterday, leaving us in -the care of the servants and the few coolies who still stayed. That -night the tiger came about eight o'clock, the same time as before, and -killed a man who had gone out of doors. The next morning every coolie -and all our house servants ran away: they said they were too frightened -to stop any longer. But the ayah wouldn't leave Maud. We are afraid of -spending another night by ourselves, so, as the tiger does not show -himself till about eight o'clock, we came out here, and have been -waiting all the afternoon in hopes of meeting some one who would stay -at the bungalow with us. Father won't be back for a week. Oh, sir, do -come and stay with us!" he concluded pleadingly. - -I thought that if I did halt here--even for a week--and I explained -the reason to my superiors, they would not blame me. It was against -human nature to leave these poor children alone in their fix. I did -not see how I could suggest their abandoning the house, with all -their father's property in it, and accompanying me to the comparative -safety of the Malanaad bungalow--the very fact of Jimmy Simpson's -expressing no such wish barred the idea. I therefore decided to give -them my companionship--little though it might afford in the shape of -protection. So, telling my people to go on to the travelers' bungalow, -I turned up the side road with the children. - -In the centre of a clearing stood a corrugated iron house, with a -high-pitched roof, and a veranda running all round, above which opened -some ventilating windows. Several trees had been allowed to stand -close to the house--evidently to give shade--while at the back was a -range of out-houses for servants, and two long rows of "lines" for the -coolies--all built of the same material as the main house. Excepting -the high ventilators, every door and window was closed, and not a sound -save that of our footsteps broke the reigning stillness. Young Simpson -unlocked a door, and we entered the bungalow. The ayah brought me -some refreshing drink, which was very welcome after my journey, and I -chatted for some time with the children, with whom I soon became fast -friends. - -"Well," said I at length, "I must leave you for an hour or so. I have -got to see my things safely stowed away at the travelers' bungalow. -Then I'll trot back here for the night with some of my men." - -"Please don't be longer than you can help, Mr. Geoffrey!" begged the -lad. - -"I'll be as quick as I can," I replied. "Be ready to open the door when -you see us approaching." - -And I hurried away. - -My followers, however, were obdurate, and no amount of threats or -coaxing would induce them to budge from the travelers' bungalow. During -my absence the man in charge, and the villagers, had been telling them -all about the tiger, and they flatly refused to accompany me to the -plantation house. I had no alternative, therefore, but to go alone. - -I must confess to a strong sensation of nervousness as, with lantern in -hand, I set out on my return journey to the Simpsons'. But I had picked -up an idea somewhere that a man-eating tiger was peculiarly regular as -regarded the time of his visits to the locality he preyed on. Jimmy had -said that this brute appeared at eight o'clock or thereabouts; so, it -now being only a little past seven, I imagined that I had forestalled -the tiger. I reached the clearing, saw the light shining through the -upper ventilator windows, reconnoitred as well as the darkness would -allow, listened intently, and then pushed boldly across. - -I had hardly got halfway ere I heard Jimmy's voice, muffled and -indistinct, from within the building. - -"All right, Jimmy!" I answered, dashing on. "Here I am! Open the door!" - -"Climb! Climb!" I now plainly heard him cry. "The tiger's close by -somewhere!" - -The words temporarily paralyzed me. I looked to see the monster shoot -into the rays of my lantern; I already felt his fangs at my throat! He -must have observed my approach, and concealed himself--to pounce on me! -Jimmy must have marked the manoeuvre, and had shouted a warning in his -childish way! With the beast at the door, so to speak, of course I did -not expect the boy to open it: before I could slip in the tiger would -probably be up, and either grab me or enter the house. No; the boy was -quite right in keeping the door shut. - -These thoughts flashed through my mind in a moment: the next, nerved -by despair, and roused to action by Jimmy's reiterated cry of "Climb! -Climb!" I glanced wildly about me and found myself close to one of -the shady trees already alluded to. It was a moderately sized tree, -with a smooth, straight stem, and much foliage at the top. Dropping -my lantern--fortunately, without upsetting it--I threw myself on -that trunk, and frantically shinned up. I was just in time: I had -barely got out of harm's way ere, with a hideous roar, a long, lanky, -mangy-looking tiger squirmed round the corner of the house, came in -a series of bounds to the tree, and then, rearing on end, tried to -hook me down! I could hear his claws tearing the bark; I expected the -cruel talons to pierce my flesh; but luckily he could not reach me, -and I hauled myself up among the branches into comparative safety. -It now remained to be seen whether the beast could and would follow -me. At the time I knew nothing of the tiger's climbing powers; so I -watched my enemy in an agony of doubt--to be inexpressibly relieved -when I realized that he could not do it! He was old--as most man-eaters -are: he hung on to the base of the stem, but, after many ineffectual -attempts, he desisted: the task was beyond him: he was unable to draw -himself up! - -For the present I was safe, then, and had time to look about me. Taking -my position in the centre of the tree, I topped the veranda roof, and I -could almost see in through one of the ventilator windows; but a good -six feet yawned between the inmost tree twig and the veranda eave; a -gap that I could not cover even had I good foothold to spring from. -Nothing remained, therefore, but to make the best of it, and trust to -the feline sneaking off at daylight. Accordingly, I was about seeking -a comfortable branch to spend the night on when Jimmy called, "Mr. -Geoffrey!" - -"Halloa!" I shouted in reply; "I'm safe up the tree, Jimmy, thanks to -your warning." - -"But you are not safe!" he wailed hysterically. - -"Why, where's the danger? The brute has tried to climb the tree, but -failed: he can't get at me." - -"Yes, he can, if he thinks of the wood stack!" - -"What wood stack?" - -"There, at the end of the veranda, just round the corner! If he climbs -by it on to the veranda roof, he can jump from there into the tree! -I've only just thought of it!" - -My lantern rays did not penetrate so far. I peered through the gloom -in the direction indicated, and could dimly make out a number of log -ends projecting beyond the side wall, and heaped to the full height of -the veranda itself. Clearly, then, if the tiger thought of that stack -he would certainly climb it, come along the veranda roof to the tree, -spring across the gap, seize and carry me with him to the ground! As -I contemplated these probabilities I nigh yielded to despair: I broke -into a cold perspiration, and I murmured a prayer for aid. That my -prayer was answered is proved by my now living to tell this story. But -I had yet to get out of my fix. I was given little leisure to reflect, -for the tiger--as if Jimmy's words had given him the hint--walked -off and disappeared round the corner; a scrambling, scratching sound -followed, and before I could well believe my eyes, there came the -brute, sneaking along the inclined plane of the veranda roof! - -Could I--after warning Jimmy to unfasten the door--slip down the tree -and dash into the house? No; though the varmint could not climb I -felt sure he could drop, and that almost before I touched ground he -would be upon me. The ugly cat crawled along the sloped iron sheeting, -halted abreast of the tree, and set up a hoarse purr on spotting -me--cowering amid the branches. He crept closer and closer to the eave -till he could come no further--then gathered himself up for a spring! -He strained and strained; I expected to see him shoot across and dig -both teeth and claws into me; yet he came not! I stared at the beast in -a wild fascination of terror. I remember--at that awful moment--being -struck by his aged and unkempt appearance; I remember hearing the -purr gradually give place to a growl of anger, and then all at once -the truth broke on me: that outward and upward spring was beyond the -man-eater; he would not attempt the feat; I was safe! - -My courage revived, and with it came a fierce longing to destroy my -tormentor, whose foul breath reached and sickened me even at that -distance. Now, another thought suddenly struck me: was there possibly a -gun of some kind in the house? Hardly; for if so I should probably have -seen it, or Jimmy would have offered me the weapon when I left that -afternoon. Anyhow, I would find out. - -"Jimmy!" I bawled, causing the tiger to start angrily. - -"Yes, Mr. Geoffrey?" - -"The tiger has come on to the veranda roof--as you said; but he can't -manage to spring into the tree, so I'm safe!" - -"Oh, I'm so glad! I was----" - -"I say, have you a gun?" - -"Father took one rifle with him; the other is in the case, locked up, -to keep us from meddling with it." - -"Are there cartridges?" - -"Yes; a beltful in the case." - -"Where's the key?" - -"Father has it." - -"Jimmy," I rejoined imploringly, "break open the case, load the rifle, -open the door a wee bit, and fire at the beast through the veranda -roof. The bullet will penetrate--I'm sure. He is crouching in a line -with the ventilator, just short of the eave, so you'll know where to -aim. I'll make it right with your father." - -"What's the good?" half whimpered the boy. "I don't know how to use a -rifle." - -Here was a facer! What more was left? But my brain was busy, and I -determined to die hard. Green as I was, shaken as I was, I resolved to -try and shoot the tiger myself! - -"Jimmy, do you think you could manage to pass me the rifle?" - -"I will if I can; but how?" - -"No use attempting the door--even while the brute is on the veranda -roof; he'd hear you like a shot, and pounce down on you before you -could wink. But could you reach the ventilator window from the inside? -Don't be afraid; it is too small for him to get his head and shoulders -through, so he can't touch you." - -"But how am I to do it?" - -"Can't you go hand-over-hand up the swing rope, with the rifle and belt -slung on you?" - -"Yes, I can," he answered readily. - -"Then you could work along the tie beam and reach the window, couldn't -you?" - -"I think so; but even if the window is large enough for me, how about -the tiger outside?" - -"Tell you what: get the rifle and cartridge belt, climb the swing rope, -making as little noise as possible, and straddle along the tie beam to -the window. Directly I see you there, I'll pretend to descend the tree; -the brute will either drop to the earth from where he now is, or go -round by the wood heap; in either case you could scramble out, chuck me -the rifle and belt, and get through the window again before the tiger -is able to remount the veranda by the wood heap; that is, if he notices -you. Leave the rest to me." - -The boy was plucky to the backbone, and immediately agreed to carry out -my instructions. Presently I heard a rending, as of a box being broken -open; then succeeded a silence of several minutes, and finally--to my -joy--I saw the lad cautiously peeping over the window sill. Promptly I -made a show of climbing down, energetically shaking the foliage as I -felt my way to the lower branches. My movement had the desired effect; -the tiger raised himself, growled, and, evidently believing that he had -me, down he dropped with a "thud" to the ground. The coast was clear -for Jimmy! - -"Now, Jimmy!" I shouted, frantically reclimbing upward and inward, "out -you get! He's down below!" - -Quick as thought Jimmy slipped out the rifle and belt and proceeded to -follow them. With my attention divided between him and the man-eater, I -waited in desperate expectancy, but try as he would, the boy could not -pass through! He essayed head first, then legs first, then this way, -then that way; no, he failed! In my anxiety I had momentarily taken -my eyes off the animal to watch Jimmy. On recollecting myself, and -looking down again, the brute was nowhere to be seen! Merciful heaven! -where had he gone? I peered on all sides, striving to probe the gloom -beyond the rays of my still burning lantern, but I could not see him; -the monster had vanished! While a sensation of superstitious terror -threatened to overwhelm me, a smothered ejaculation of triumph came -from Jimmy; I glanced eagerly in his direction, to find that he had at -last succeeded in getting out! He was in the act of dropping to the -veranda roof, when the scrambling, scratching sound which I had once -before heard that night smote on my ear; the disappearance of the tiger -was no longer a mystery: he was climbing the wood heap! - -"Jimmy!" I shrieked, "get back! For your life get back! The tiger's -climbing the stack!" - -Whether the boy heard me, understood me, or not, or had taken leave of -his senses, I could not tell, for, instead of obeying me, he clutched -both rifle and belt, and floundered down the slope toward the tree! -At the same moment I saw that the tiger had gained the roof, and was -approaching as fast as he could! - -"Back! For mercy's sake, back!" I yelled despairingly; but the next -instant the lad--after giving a hasty glance at the tiger--put -forth all his young strength and hurled the rifle in my direction. -Mechanically I managed to seize the piece as it crashed into the -branches; the belt followed; I secured it, and then the plucky boy, -scurrying up the inclined roof, hauled himself to the window and -wriggled through the aperture not half a second before the man-eater -got up to it! Intensely relieved at Jimmy's miraculous escape, and -burning with fury against the accursed animal--the cause of all our -trouble--I simply sat there and sent bullet after bullet into his vile -carcass, continuing the fusillade till he lay limp and lifeless on the -veranda roof! - -No more need be said. I loved that boy, who had shown a courage and -nerve beyond the wildest dreams of fancy. I love him now as a man, with -a reputation for cool pluck and presence of mind, the promise of which -he so signally exhibited on the occasion of my story. When Mr. Simpson -returned, and I told him all, the satisfaction I derived by seeing the -tears of admiration that dimmed his eyes as I described his son's -gallantry more than compensated me for my own somewhat unpleasant share -in that ever memorable adventure. - - - - -LATEST ISSUES - - -BUFFALO BILL STORIES - -The most original stories of Western adventure. The only weekly -containing the adventures of the famous Buffalo Bill. =High art colored -covers. Thirty-two big pages. Price, 5 cents.= - - 415--Buffalo Bill's Cumbres Scouts; or, The Wild Pigs Corralled. - - 416--Buffalo Bill and the Man-wolf; or, The Mystery of the Adobe - Castle. - - 417--Buffalo Bill and His Winged Pard; or, Indian Against Indian. - - 418--Buffalo Bill at Babylon Bar; or, The Mountain Pirates. - - 419--Buffalo Bill's Long Arm; or, The Game-cock of Shasta. - - 420--Buffalo Bill and Old Weasel-top; or, The Man From Nowhar. - - 421--Buffalo Bill's Steel Arm Pard; or, Old Weasel-top's Mission. - - 422--Buffalo Bill's Aztec Guide; or, The White Indian. - - 423--Buffalo Bill and Little Firefly; or, Playing with Death. - - 424--Buffalo Bill in the Aztec City; or, Little Firefly's Friendship. - - 425--Buffalo Bill's Balloon Escape; or, Out of the Grip of the Great - Swamp. - - 426--Buffalo Bill and the Guerrillas; or, The Flower Girl of San - Felipe. - - -BRAVE AND BOLD WEEKLY - -All kinds of stories that boys like. The biggest and best nickel's -worth ever offered. =High art colored covers. Thirty-two big pages. -Price, 5 cents.= - - 331--Two Chums Afloat; or, The Cruise of the "Arrow." By Cornelius - Shea. - - 332--In the Path of Duty; or, The Fortunes of Officer Dan Deering. By - Harrie Irving Hancock. - - 333--A Bid for Fortune; or, True as Steel. By Fred Thorpe. - - 334--A Battle with Fate; or, The Baseball Mascot. By Weldon J. Cobb. - - 335--Three Brave Boys; or, Adventures in the Balloon World. By Frank - Sheridan. - - 336--Archie Atwood, Champion; or, An All-around Athlete's Career. By - Cornelius Shea. - - 337--Dick Stanhope Afloat; or, The Eventful Cruise of the _Elsinore_. - By Harrie Irving Hancock. - - 338--Working His Way Upward; or, From Footlights to Riches. By Fred - Thorpe. - - 339--The Fourteenth Boy; or, How Vin Lovell Won Out. By Weldon J. - Cobb. - - 340--Among the Nomads; or, Life in the Open. By the author of - "Through Air to Fame." - - 341--Bob, the Acrobat; or, Hustle and Win Out. By Harrie Irving - Hancock. - - 342--Through the Earth; or, Jack Nelson's Invention. By Fred Thorpe. - - 343--The Boy Chief; or, Comrades of Camp and Trail. By John De Morgan. - - -MOTOR STORIES - -The latest and best five-cent weekly. We won't say how interesting it -is. See for yourself. =High art colored covers. Thirty-two big pages. -Price, 5 cents.= - - 6--Motor Matt's Red Flier; or, On The High Gear. - - 7--Motor Matt's Clue; or, The Phantom Auto. - - 8--Motor Matt's Triumph; or, Three Speeds Forward. - - 9--Motor Matt's Air-Ship; or, The Rival Inventors. - - 10--Motor Matt's Hard Luck; or, The Balloon House Plot. - - 11--Motor Matt's Daring Rescue; or, The Strange Case of Helen Brady. - - 12--Motor Matt's Peril; or, Castaway in the Bahamas. - - 13--Motor Matt's Queer Find; or, The Secret of the Iron Chest. - - 14--Motor Matt's Promise; or, The Wreck of the _Hawk_. - - 15--Motor Matt's Submarine; or, The Strange Cruise of the _Grampus_. - - 16--Motor Matt's Quest; or, Three Chums in Strange Waters. - - 17--Motor Matt's Close Call; or, The Snare of Don Carlos. - - 18--Motor Matt in Brazil; or, Under the Amazon. - - 19--Motor Matt's Defiance; or, Around the Horn. - - 20--Motor Matt Makes Good; or, Another Victory for the Motor Boys. - - -_For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on receipt -of price, 5 cents per copy, in money or postage stamps, by_ - -STREET & SMITH, Publishers, 79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York - -=IF YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS= of our Weeklies and cannot procure them -from your newsdealer, they can be obtained from this office direct. -Fill out the following Order Blank and send it to us with the price -of the Weeklies you want and we will send them to you by return mail. -=POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY.= - - ________________________ _190_ - - _STREET & SMITH, 79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York City._ - - _Dear Sirs: Enclosed please find_ ___________________________ - _cents for which send me_: - - TIP TOP WEEKLY, Nos. ________________________________ - - NICK CARTER WEEKLY, " ________________________________ - - DIAMOND DICK WEEKLY, " ________________________________ - - BUFFALO BILL STORIES, " ________________________________ - - BRAVE AND BOLD WEEKLY, " ________________________________ - - MOTOR STORIES, " ________________________________ - - _Name_ ________________ _Street_ ________________ - - _City_ ________________ _State_ ________________ - - - - -A GREAT SUCCESS!! - -MOTOR STORIES - - -Every boy who reads one of the splendid adventures of Motor Matt, which -are making their appearance in this weekly, is at once surprised and -delighted. Surprised at the generous quantity of reading matter that we -are giving for five cents; delighted with the fascinating interest of -the stories, second only to those published in the Tip Top Weekly. - -Matt has positive mechanical genius, and while his adventures are -unusual, they are, however, drawn so true to life that the reader can -clearly see how it is possible for the ordinary boy to experience them. - - -_HERE ARE THE TITLES NOW READY AND THOSE TO BE PUBLISHED_: - - 1--Motor Matt; or, The King of the Wheel. - - 2--Motor Matt's Daring; or, True to His Friends. - - 3--Motor Matt's Century Run; or, The Governor's Courier. - - 4--Motor Matt's Race; or, The Last Flight of the "Comet." - - 5--Motor Matt's Mystery; or, Foiling a Secret Plot. - - 6--Motor Matt's Red Flier; or, On the High Gear. - - 7--Motor Matt's Clue; or, The Phantom Auto. - - 8--Motor Matt's Triumph; or, Three Speeds Forward. - - 9--Motor Matt's Air Ship; or, The Rival Inventors. - - 10--Motor Matt's Hard Luck; or, The Balloon House Plot. - - 11--Motor Matt's Daring Rescue; or, The Strange Case of Helen Brady. - - 12--Motor Matt's Peril; or, Cast Away in the Bahamas. - - 13--Motor Matt's Queer Find; or, The Secret of the Iron Chest. - - 14--Motor Matt's Promise; or, The Wreck of the "Hawk." - - 15--Motor Matt's Submarine; or, The Strange Cruise of the "Grampus." - - 16--Motor Matt's Quest; or, Three Chums in Strange Waters. - - 17--Motor Matt's Close Call; or, The Snare of Don Carlos. - - 18--Motor Matt in Brazil; or, Under the Amazon. - - 19--Motor Matt's Defiance; or, Around the Horn. - - 20--Motor Matt Makes Good; or, Another Victory for the Motor Boys. - -To be Published on July 12th. - - 21--Motor Matt's Launch; or, A Friend in Need. - -To be Published on July 19th. - - 22--Motor Matt's Enemies; or, A Struggle for the Right. - -To be Published on July 26th. - - 23--Motor Matt's Prize; or, The Pluck That Wins. - -To be Published on August 2nd. - - 24--Motor Matt on the Wing; or, Flying for Fame and Fortune. - - -PRICE, FIVE CENTS - -At all newsdealers, or sent, postpaid, by the publishers upon receipt -of the price. - - STREET & SMITH, _Publishers_, NEW YORK - - - - -Transcriber's Notes: - - -Added table of contents. - -Bold is represented with =equal signs=; italics with _underscores_. - -Retained inconsistent spacing of "houseboat" vs. "house boat." - -Replaced oe ligatures with "oe" -- ligatures retained in HTML edition. - -Page 9, removed unnecessary comma from "rope down." Corrected "You're" -to "Your" in "Your father was a rowdy." - -Page 12, added missing quote after "see if they come back." - -Page 15, added missing "ing" to "catching Red-whiskers." - -Page 18, corrected double comma after "a humorous glance at Ross and -Kinky." Corrected typo "bame" in "only yourself to blame." - -Page 19, added missing open quote to "Don't be a fool!" - -Page 23, capitalized "Wait" in "Wait until we can get." - -Page 25, corrected "yawninig" to "yawning." - -Page 30, corrected typo "ventilater" in "upper ventilator windows." - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Motor Matt's Launch, by Stanley R. 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