The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1889-08-23
FOULPLAY.
4 Novel.
BIZ CHARLES nEApE AND DION pouc,cAulr.
CHAPTER XIV,

BIZ CHARLES READE AND DION BoucIcAuLr.
CHAPTER XIV.
Before the Marin sailed ngnin with the men
who formed part Of Wylie's crew, he
made them sign declaration before the En-.
glish Consul ut Bucnos Ayrcs This docu-
mcnt set forth the manner in which the Pro.
scrpine foundered; it was artfully made mp Of
facts enough to deceive careless listener;
but, when Wylie read il over to them, he
surrcd over certain parts which he took
care, also, to express in language above the
comprehension OF such men. OF course they
assente'i eagerly to what they did not under.
stand. and signed the statement conscien.
| tiously.
So Wylic. and his three men were s...ppcd
on board the Boadicea. bound for Liverpool.
in Old England, while tho others sailed with
Captain Slocum for Nantucket, =, New Eng.
| land.
The Boadicca was aclippcr laden with hides
and II miscellaneous cargo. For seventeen
days she flew before II southcrly gale, boing
on her best sailing point, and, alter one of
the shortest p,ssagrs siic had ever inade, she
lay to. outside the bar, OF the Mcrscy. 1t
want ed hut one hour to daylight. the tide
was flowing; the pilot sprang aboard.
What do you draw" he asked Of the
master.
Fifteen feet, barely was the reply.
That will do" and the vessels head was
laid for the river,
They pnssed large bark, with her top.
sails backed
Jay" remarked the pilot. "she has waited
since the half:cbb; there amt more than four
hours in the twenty -four that such craft as
that tan get in.
"Whnt is she? An American lincr"' asked
Wylit, pccring through the gloom.
no, snid the pilot; SKIES an Australian
| ship She's the Shannon, from Sydney"
The mate started. looked ut the man, then
at the vessel. Twice tho Shannon had thus
met linn, us il to satisfy him that his object
had been attained, and enrll time she seemed
to him not nn Illuminate thing. hut n silent
arcomplire. a chill of fear struck through
the mans frame us he looked at her Yes
there she lny. aud i'll her hold were snfcly
slowed IlGO, 900 IN gold, marked lead and
copper.
Wylir had no luggage nor effects to lctnin
him on hoard; he landed. and, having bc-
slowed his three companions in IL sailors
boarding house, he was lastcning to the
announce his arrival and the fate ot the
rros'rrine. lie had reached their Officers in
Water Street before lie reroi' =. !. tbnt it
was barely halfpast q i've o clock. and, though
, ,ioa,l "".nsnt OH that July morning.
merchants offices are not open at that hour.
him that he had not noticed that the shops
We're all shut, the streets deserted. Then u
thought occurred to him-why not be II
bearer of his own news? lie did not require
to turn the iden twe over, but resolved. for
many reasons, to adopt it. As he HURRIED
to the railway-station, he tried to rrollert
the hour mt which tho early train started
but his confused aud excited mind refused to
perform the function OF memory. The Shan
non dazetl him.
At the railwa station he found that Il train
had started at 4. 4. NJ, and there was moth
ing until 7::iO. This cheek sOhercd him n
little, and he went back to the docks; he
line Of mrths, and snt down on the edge
with his icot dangling over the water. lie
waited an hour: il was six O'Clock by the
great dial ut st. Georges Dock. His eyes
were fixed OH the Shannon, which was NOV
ing slowly up the river; she came abreast to
her Storage fell. Her anchor-chnin ratified.
and she swung round with the tide. The
clock struck the halfhOur II boat left the
side of the vessel aud made straight for
the steps near where he was scented. A tall,
nOble-lOOking man sat in the stern sheets be-
side the coxswain he was put ashore, and,
after exchanging Il few words with the boats
crew, he mount ed the steps which led him to
Wylies side, followed by one OF the sailors,
who carried II port mnnteau.
He stood for n single moment on the quay,
and stamped his broad foot on the stones;
then, heaving u deep sigh OF satisfaction. he
murmured, "'rhank God'
He turned toward Wylic.
Can you tell me- my man. at w.at hour
the first train starts for London"
"fhere is n slow train ut $50 and MI ex-
press ut o."
"The express will serve me, and give me
time for breakfast Mt the Adelphi. Thank
pissed on. followed by the sailor.
Wylie looked after him; he noted that erect
military cnrriage and crisp. gray hair and
thick white mustachc: he had n vague ide,
that he had seen TINT face before, and the
| memory troubled him.
At 7::'o Wylie started for London; the mil
itary man followed him in tho express ut
nine, and caught him up ut Rugby: together
they arrived ut thestation ut Eust on Square:
| it was IL quarter to three. Wylie hailed u
cab, hut. before he could struggle through
the crowd to reach it, n railway porter threw
u portmanteau in its roof and his military
acqunnt nnce took possession oft
"All right" said the porter. what I'D
dress. sir?"
| Wylie did not hear what the gentleman
Said hut the porter shouted it to the cab.
man. and then lie did hear it.
"No.-lRusseil Square
II was the house Of Arthur Wnr1iawl
Wylic took of his hat rlhhcG his frowzy
hair, and gnped after the cab.
He entered another cab. and told the
driver to go to NO. = Fruchurrh Street"
1t was the office of Wardlnw and SON.