The Silver Horde

Room. The theatre crowds had not dispersed, and the place was a-glitter; for it was the grand-opera season. The room was so well filled that he had difficulty in finding

t to retreat when he heard his name spok

urned to face an anaemic youth whose colorless, ga

o, Al

iends, while Alton Clyde con

roughing it out

ask

Klondiker myself this evening. Great chap, too! I want you to know him: he's immense. Only watch out he don't get you full

hink

you'll l

hey went. "Y' know, I'm democratic myself, and I'm fond

ask

sly rough. Here he is! Mr. Froelich, my old friend Mr. Emerson. We

ng the face of "Fingerless" Fraser, quite expressionl

were going to stick to 'Frobisher.'" Turning to Clyde, he observed: "This man's name is Fraser

observed the imperturbable Fras

nd if you don't watch him every minute he will sell you a hydraulic mine, or a rubber plantation, or a sponge fishery. Underne

iring incredulously of Fraser, "Then that scheme

mp travels about as fast as the prospector. Nome i

r, with an assumption o

as well

s is cheaper." He reached for his glass, at which Clyde's eye

l you are, maybe you didn't lose

enturer: "Hardly! He got blo

Here I've been gobbling fairy tales like a black bass at sunset. He! he! he!

e, which further stirred the risibilities of Clyde until that young man's thin shoulders shook, and he doubled up, his hol

d the rogue. "Anybody woul

questioned Boyd, to

d, I suppose," sai

seal. That's how I came to fall in with-this." He indicated

George aroun

et him look at the elevated railroad. Then he came back and hunted up the janitor of the bu

e like-like this?" Clyde asked, noddi

hesis of Mr. Fraser. He is a fisherma

sniffed the adventurer. "He has his nai

. Let me show him the town, will you? I'll foot the bills; I'

ime; we are here on b

n anybody for years who was really busy at anything that was worth

ou do an

ents to collect, and that sort of rot. My agent does most of it, however. I wish I were like you, Boyd; you always wer

rection of the North Side. "You know! She's never been able to see any of us fellows with a spy-glass since you left, and I have proposed regularly every fu

per for either of us t

returned anyhow; for th

is

is name-never met him, in fact. But while we Chicago fellows were

judged he had somebody in sight." Boyd's ey

l you, old man, she has missed you. Yes, sir, she has missed you a blamed

m! You fello

on. Now that it is too late, I'm beginning to wake up; I'm getting tired of loafing. I'd like to get out and do someth

," said Boyd. "I am here to raise

s good, that's all I want to know. I'll take a chance.

it is, and you can u

loser and listened intently while the other outlined the plan, his weak gray eyes reflecting the old hero-worship of his college days.

lly rumpus, doesn't it?" he questio

do

. I'll put in my share i

e that sort of thing," said Em

. "I'm a regular scout when it comes to roughing it. Why, I camped in the Thousand Islands all one summer, and I've been

but Clyde ran on, his enthusiasm growing as

herman, too, and I'

all us

that stream to a froth." Emerson interrupted him to explain briefly the

l you, it's what I've been looking for, and I didn't know it; I'll get as husky as you are and all sunburnt. Tell me th

"When we get back to Kalvik the days will be long and ho

lowers. If I can't cat

for it in som

u keep

, optimistically. "I guess a little music woul

"Fingerless" Fraser, observing the

out of prac

d Fraser, turni

La Paloma. It will make those other fish-houses mad with jealousy. Get a window-box

sted Clyde, seriou

aser's face w

over," Emerson

e adventurer burst

t me?" angrily dema

hat happened to my father when I was a little child." Again he began to shake, at which Clyde regarded him narrowly;

f the fellows together. We'll all have lunch at the Univers

contact with his instep under the table. Clyde was again lost in

walking in his sleep, and thi

ent that he had been vainly trying to attract their attention for some time, but lacked th

oss the portal, steering a tortuous course toward his friends; but in these unaccustomed waters his bulk became unmanageable and his way beset with perils. Deeming himself in danger of being run down by a waiter, he s

team through this room

ck somethi

Big George became seized with an excess of awkwardness; his

d him limb from limb." But the words were barely spoken when they saw a steward hasten

ped over the train of an evening dress and bowed obsequiously. The noise of laughter and many voices ceased. In the silence George pursued his way regardle

he ordered. "I can't get no footholt on t

n to Alton Clyde, he continued: "I've been trying to

is w

hat elevated railroad breaks down every few minutes right under my window. There's whistles blowing, bells ringing, and-can't w

e," Boyd answered. "You

want to get back

ated Clyde. "Same here.

t?" questi

into the deal if he can go to Kalvik with us

y from his curly crown to his slender,

ssing qualifications. While he was speaking, a party of three men approached, and seated themselves at an adjoining table. As

r the big fellow's face had suddenly gone livid, whil

ge growled, "That'

king hungrily, the cords in his neck standing out rigidly. Seeing the murder-light in his companion's eyes, t

ool of yourself

d the giant's remarkable metamor

George, his eyes glarin

rs

my, for one of the strangers stood as if frozen, with his hand upon the back of his chair

a decided reddish hue. He was light of complexion; his mouth was small and of a rather womanish appearance, due to the full red lips. He was well gro

pleasantly to Balt; then, as if on second thought, excused himself to his companions and stepped toward the other gr

sy, pal; le

musical, his accent Eastern. With an assumption of heartiness, he extended a white-gloved hand, which the big, uncouth man who

hand. It's dirty! I

nes are bygones. I came over to make up with you and ask about

t!" breathed

nothing to say." He turned a very bright and very curious pair of eyes upon George's companions, as if seeking from them some hint as to his victim

anding," he said, smoothly, "which I hope

choking snarl and stepp

o interc

ration for departure. Marsh bowed civilly and returned to his seat, while Boyd sauntered toward the exit, his arm which controlled George tense as iron beneath his sleeve. He felt the fisherman's great frame quivering against him and heard the excited breath hal

room and cool off. You cam

iled off into an unintelligible jargon of curses and threats which did not end until he had reac

ead of the cannery combination at Kalvik, and a bitter enemy of George's

the evening. "Well, that absolutely settles it as f

u don't want

at's all. The ten thousand is yours, but