Gilbert Patten

“ While Clancy watched the two in the cabin, he saw Wynn draw the satchel across the table, open it, and pull a packet of greenbacks from inside. He held up the packet, and laughed. Hogan joined in the laugh.
The motor wizard had a very good look at Captain Hogan, and he did not wonder that Hiram had been deceived into thinking the fellow was his father. The bulging brow, the huge nose, and the retreating chin all conspired to form a countenance that would have claimed attention anywhere. One eye had an evil squint, and it gave to the whole face a crafty expression. ”

“ Good night, and happy dreams, Katz,' he winds up, then puts out the light, locks the front door, and leaves me to strangle to death." Katz turned his head and spat contemptuously. "That's the sort of a jigger this Wynn is," he finished.
"You're no better than he is," snapped Burton.
"If I could come within arm's reach o' him, by thunder, I'd show whether I'm better than he is, or not!" cried Katz, getting up with an effort and sitting on the edge of the cot.
"You say," said Clancy, speaking quickly, "that Hogan and Wynn are intending to get away in the Sylvia to-night?" ”

“ With a roar of consternation, the tall man rushed into the street, flourishing his arms, and begging some one—any one—to "Take it away! Take it away!" He finally collided with the head end of the dragon, demoralizing that half of the chink procession as completely as the latter half had been.
By that time, Sixth and Main was in a turmoil. The dragon had broken up in a hundred parts, like a jointed snake, and each part was thrashing around blindly, trying to get rid of its papier-mâché so it could see where it was and what it was doing. ”

“ I must have the proof, you know, because I am a very rich man, and you, as my sole relative, will inherit everything I leave. Hoping to see you in San Diego at your earliest convenience, I remain, yours expectantly,
"'Upton Hill."'
Gerald dropped the letter on the table, and looked up at his friends with a guileful smile.
"How's that for a bait?" he asked.
"Bully!" declared Katz. "Hiram Hill will tumble all over himself to go to San Diego."
"What'll happen when he can't find any Upton Hill in San Diego?" said Burton.
"We don't care what happens—then," answered Gerald. ”

“ Lafe Wynn was overseeing the removal. When Clancy entered the garage, Lafe turned abruptly on his heel and walked into the office. Clancy followed him.
"What's the matter with you, Lafe?" inquired Clancy. "Why do you take pains to avoid me all the time? We can't get along like that—and remain partners."
A look of suffering filled Wynn's face.
"Owen," said he, with an effort, "every time I look at you I think of what I am—a thief and a forger, only saved from the penitentiary by your generosity. It isn't a pleasant thought for a man who wants to be independent. ”

“ Almost everybody they met spoke to Cogson. Many hailed him with the effusion one person shows toward another who is especially liked, and all greeted him with genuine cordiality. Several stopped to pass a word or two with him, and to these he introduced Nick the Brick as his father. They shook hands warmly with old Nick, every one declaring pleasure in knowing Sam Cogson's paternal relative. Their manner was sincere. The shrewd-eyed old man could detect no shadowy touch of egregrious contempt in their bearing toward him. ”

“ The Indians came in on the one-o’clock train, had dinner and, wearing their suits, rode out to the park in a barge. They were naturally mildly amused by the yells of some whooping youngsters who jeeringly prophesied that the Comets would take their scalps. The bushers were practising on the field and Dugan immediately called for their manager. He was surprised when Pennington, in a Sahagan uniform, responded.
“Hullo!” grinned Dugan, after relieving himself of a mouthful of tobacco-juice. “So you’re playin’ with this bunch o’ tall grass wonders. How’s the heart these days? ”

“ The fourth corner was reserved for Hiram Hill, the tow-headed, cross-eyed chap who was destined to cause all the commotion. While Hill stood on the walk, telling himself that the gaudily painted dragon looked very much like an overgrown centipede, he suddenly caught sight of a man in an automobile.
The auto was headed along Main Street, and was waiting for the dragon to clear the way so it could proceed. Hill looked at the machine across the papier-mâché spine of the chink monster, and he gave a yell of surprise when his gaze took account of the one man in the tonneau of the car. ”

“ Hill caught Clancy's arm in a convulsive clutch.
"There's some one in the place, all right!" said Burton, under his breath.
"Strike a light," suggested the motor wizard. "I believe it's safe enough."
"Here, let me," put in Hiram. "I've got a match right in my fingers."
He scraped the match on the wall. As a flicker of light blazed up, a small, meagerly furnished front room was disclosed. Neither Captain Hogan nor either of those who had chartered his boat could be seen.
Clancy stepped to a shelf on the side wall, and took down a candle in a candlestick. ”

“ The lobby was crowded, bell hops were hustling back and forth, and the place was as busy as a high-class establishment
Clancy stood at the counter, caught the clerk's eye, and asked for Hiram Hill. The clerk, who had curly hair, and parted it squarely in the middle, forthwith gave the newcomer his full and complete attention.
"You a friend of that guy's?" the clerk asked.
"Yes," acknowledged Clancy.
"Then I'm mighty glad you showed up."
"Why?"
"Well, I think he's locoed and needs a keeper. About every day he does some fool thing."
Clancy grinned. ”

“ Katz swore, and continued his forward movement.
"Last call!" went on the captain. "Another step this way and I'll shoot!"
"You're a robber!" cried Katz. "You and Wynn, between you, have skinned me out of seventy-five hundred dollars!"
"Where did you get the money?" demanded Hogan ironically. "It's no crime to skin a skinner—or to shoot one, either. Here's where you get yours!"
Before Hogan could pull the trigger, Clancy sprang upon him from behind, and forced his revolver hand downward. The weapon exploded, and a bullet plumped into the deck. ”

“ Clancy studied his partner curiously for a few moments.
"Lafe," he went on presently, "you and I have got to get away from each other for a while. We are simply millstones around each other's neck. You can't look at me without thinking you owe me the biggest part of fifteen thousand dollars, and I can't look at you without thinking how you betrayed my confidence."
"You can get rid of me, Owen, in about two shakes," said Wynn. "Kick me out. I haven't any right to be one of the firm, anyhow." ”

“ The Indians were more amused than alarmed. Harris, although a trifle sore, felt no twinge of fear and he twisted his mug at Samson, who had flung him a jeer. On the bench Dugan shifted his quid, spat and said, “Hear the —— fools! They think one run wins this game!”
Badger, next hitter, knew what he wanted to do and Harris found the man would not bite at coaxers. With three balls called, the pitcher was forced to find the rubber. He did it, and the busher took a called strike. But if Harris thought the batter would wait again, he was deceived. ”

“ The motor wizard repeated his words.
"Well, I'm blessed!" murmured Hill. "Why, Hank Burton is one of the three who helped Lafe Wynn nearly ruin you! And now you talk o' grubstakiu' him. That red hair of yours certainly covers a lot of foolish idees."
"Burton is the best of Gerald's old gang, Hiram," said Clancy, as the two walked in the direction of the Bolingbroke House.
"That ain't a-sayin' a heap in his favor."
"He's a whole lot better than Bob Katz."
"Not much in that, nuther. But you won't have no chance to grubstake Burton, Clancy. He won't show up in the mornin'." ”

“ Clancy and Hill, peering through the glass bottom of the boat, saw a human form glide gracefully to a point directly underneath, turn over on its back, and float face upward, full a dozen feet below the surface. ”

“ Hill, in spite of the fact that he professed to believe his father was in San Diego, was scanning every face he passed for the beetling brow, retreating chin, Roman nose, and squint eye. He acted so wild and unreasonable that Clancy was tempted to believe he had gone daffy on the subject of his lost father.
He would run up to a man with a prominent nose, grab him by the shoulders, and study his face in a search for the other specifications. Once he was knocked down, and another time he was nearly arrested when an irate man. ”

“ Not alone did this added impression of favoring fortune come from the excellent food, wonderful coffee, and general atmosphere of bounteous good will; for old Nick had met Drusie, felt the warmth of her hand, her voice, and her smile, and was so seated that her sweet girlish comeliness provided a feast for his admiring eyes.
“There's fools,” said Whistling Nick to Cogson, in the latter's office that afternoon, “who say all skirts are cut off the same web. ”

“ The red-headed man finished with an ominous look, and then with great politeness requested Hill to pass the salt.
"Hogan, I hear," the loquacious stranger continued presently, "charters that boat of his to the unsuspecting. He does it for a blind—nothing else. Now, if you gents want a trip up or down the coast, as far north as San Fran, or as far down as the Horn, I've got just the thing—slickest little schooner with steam auxiliary you ever put eyes on."
A light broke over Clancy. Maybe Captain Hogan wasn't such bad medicine, after all. ”

“ He hit Hiram so hard over the head with the piece of dragon that he knocked a hole in the papier-mâché, and, just as Hiram freed himself of the encumbrance, and straightened up to get his bearings and swoop down on his assailant, an egg smashed in his face and effectually blinded him. ”

“ The old man—judging from his photograph, which Hill totes around in his pocket—is a bigger freak than Hiram is. He's got a beak like a pelican, and is homely enough to stop a clock."
"You know plenty about Hill and his hunt for his dad," returned Burton. "You flimflammed Hill out of five hundred by offering to take him across the Mexican boundary and showing him where his father could be found," said Burton, with a laugh. "But you got the money, and Hill got the experience," he added.
"Which," said Gerald calmly, "is mainly the reason why Hill is trying to get even with me. ”

“ Katz, remembering the way his pal had treated him, was as venomous as a rattlesnake. The motor wizard had all he could do to keep him from going too far, and seriously injuring the man. With very little commotion the fellow was overcome, gagged with a handkerchief, and tied with a rope which Clancy picked up on the deck. ”

“ You and Burton may have a hard time of it if Hogan and Wynn are together. I can't tell you what to do, except to be careful and do the best you can. There'll be no dinghy for Wynn and Hogan to use, and I think you ought to have some success if you use your wits as well as your fists."
"If we get a chance, Clancy," answered Hill, "we'll either make good or know the reason why."
"All right, Katz," called the motor wizard softly. "Make as little noise as possible. If we can't get aboard the Sylvia without any one knowing it, we won't be able to get aboard at all." ”

“ Hogan and Wynn would get the satchel away from me, if we went back. Anyhow, we're not indebted to Bob Katz for anything. If he hadn't turned on me, at the last moment, and taken the satchel away at the point of a gun, he and I would both have got clear of the Sylvia in the dinghy. Katz is to blame for what happened."
"That's like him!" growled Burton. "He's getting it all around. See what he did to me!"
"He's a pesky varmint!" grunted Hill. "He might 'a' died, there in Hogan's bungalow, if it hadn't been for Clancy. It was almost the same as turnin' on the fellow that saved his life. ”

“ Clancy's confidence in Wynn had been rudely shattered. The motor wizard had spared his partner—had been generous with him, in fact, far beyond his deserts. This was not particularly on Wynn's account, but on account of Wynn's mother, an old lady who had come to Phoenix on the very day Wynn had absconded.
Mrs. Wynn, proud of the business success her son had made, had come to him so that he might make her a home in her declining years. Clancy had not the heart to tell the old lady the exact situation, and he had gone to Wickenburg to get Lafe and make him return to Phoenix. ”

“ The pitcher who is liberal with passes seldom wins pennants.
Coppinger was erratic and, though he often did brilliant work for a number of innings, he could rarely be depended on to hold down a hitting team throughout an entire game. Whipple seemed to be a wonder; besides winning the most of his own games, he was often able, when the enemy had them “on the run,” to step in and save games for his fellow twirlers. He became the joy of the fans and the pride of every Sahagan baseball enthusiast.
In coaching, Pennington pitched a great deal himself. ”