Gordon Craig Soldier of Fortune   By: Randall Parrish (1858-1923)

Soldier of Fortune

by

RANDALL PARRISH

Author of "My Lady of the North," "My Lady of the South," "Keith of the Border," "When Wilderness Was King."

With Four Illustrations in Color by Alonzo Kimball

[Frontispiece: I clasped the straying hand and drew her to me.]

A. L. Burt Company Publishers New York Copyright A. C. McClurg & Co. 1912 Published October, 1912 Copyrighted in Great Britain

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

I THE FIRST STEP II THE CASE OF PHILIP HENLEY III I ACCEPT THE OFFER IV AN ESCAPE FROM ARREST V BEGINNING ACQUAINTANCE VI WE OPEN CONFIDENCES VII THE WOMAN'S STORY VIII FACING THE PROBLEM IX WE COMPLETE ARRANGEMENTS X AT THE PLANTATION XI A PLEASANT WELCOME XII THE DEAD MAN XIII I GET INTO THE GAME XIV THE CONFESSION XV THE DECISION XVI COMPELLING SPEECH XVII CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE XVIII BEGINNING EXPLORATION XIX A CHAMBER OF HORROR XX TAKEN PRISONER XXI ON BOARD THE SEA GULL XXII I CHANGE FRONT XXIII THE SECRET OF THE VOYAGE XXIV I JOIN THE SEA GULL XXV THE FREEDOM OF THE DECK XXVI THE NEW PERIL XXVII THE TABLES TURNED XXVIII THE CREOLE'S STORY XXIX UNDER WAY XXX WE MAKE THE EFFORT XXXI THE OPEN BOAT XXXII A TALK IN THE NIGHT XXXIII WE UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER XXXIV THE REVENUE CUTTER XXXV THE DECK OF THE SEA GULL XXXVI IN POSSESSION XXXVII A HOMEWARD VOYAGE

ILLUSTRATIONS

I clasped the straying hand and drew her to me . . Frontispiece

I read it over slowly, but it appeared innocent enough

He gasped a bit, rubbing his bruised wrist

"Give me back those papers"

GORDON CRAIG

SOLDIER OF FORTUNE

CHAPTER I

THE FIRST STEP

I had placed the lumber inside the yard as directed, and was already rehitching the traces, when the man crossed the street slowly, switching his light cane carelessly in the air. I had noticed him before standing there in the doorway of the drug store, my attention attracted by the fashionable cut of his clothes, and the manner in which he watched me work. Now, as he rounded the heads of the mules, I straightened up, observing him more closely. He was forty or forty five, heavily built, with a rather pasty white face, a large nose, eyes unusually deep set, and a closely clipped mustache beginning to gray. His dress was correct to a button, and there was a pleasant look to the mouth which served to mitigate the otherwise hard expression of countenance. As I faced him in some surprise he looked me fairly in the eyes.

"Been at this job long?" he asked easily.

"Three days," I replied unhesitatingly, drawing the reins through my hands.

"Like it?"

"Well, I 've had worse and better," with a laugh. "I prefer this to my last one."

"What was that?"

"Ridin' blind baggage."

It was his turn to laugh, and he did so.

"I thought I was not mistaken," he said at last, sobering. "You are the same lad the train hands put off the Atlantic Express at Vernon a week ago."

I nodded, beginning to suspect him of being a fly cop who had spotted me for a pull.

"I never noticed the name of the burg," I returned. "Why? were you there?"

"Yes, I came in on the same train. Just caught a glimpse of your face in the light of the brakeman's lantern. How did you get here?"

"Freight, two hours later."

"You 're not a bum, or you would n't be working."

I put one foot on the wheel, but he touched me on the sleeve with his cane.

"Wait a minute," and there was more animation in the tone. "I may have something better for you than this lumber wagon. I 'm right, ain't I, in guessing you 're no regular bum?"

"I 've bummed it most of the way from Frisco; I had to. I was homesick for the East, and lost my transportation."

"Your what?"

"Transportation; I was discharged at the Presidio."

"Oh, I see," smiling again, and tapping the wheel with his stick; "the army foreign service?"