The Van Buren press., 1897-08-28

not convenient for me to go myself just
now. as l have some important bust
ness in hand, so not to delay obtaining
the claims, have ordered Howard tC
lpeg them out and register in my name
but he can do nothing until he has the
particulars contained in this. Now, dc
you understand"
"Yes; but how far is Gibson cog
infant of your plans?"
"He has found out that intend send
ing the map Immediately TO Johannes
burg. This office is watched; YOU will
be shadowed on leaving. and when they
find that you are a passenger by the
Roman they will conclude that you
are my messenger. 1t will be your busi-
ness TO nullify that belief"
81 see."
"You had better pretend to be new
submanager sent out by me to repre-
sent my interests in johannesburg.
Now, can you, do you think, conceal the
map in such a way that these thieves
cannot get hold of it?
sat silent few moments thinking
over the situation, then my eyes strayed
10 some books lying on the table be-
tween US. took up one. 1t was Lock
on Gold" a stardard work.
81 will do my best | said at length
Trust no one concluded my en-
ployer. giving me money for my jour
ney and the boat ticket. rely on your
self alone. Put the map in your breast
pocket for the present, but find Sc
eurer hiding place before you go on
board. Good-by. and good luck to YOU"
My preparations were soon made,
and the following morning found me
on board the "Roman." | had reduced
my luggage to as small compass as
possible. 1t consisted of two small
portmanteaus which would go under
my bunk, some wraps, and few novels,
with Lock on Gold" the latter OBJ
tanned from my employer to sustain
my character as mining manager, and
with its covers encased in gray calico.
had Joined the ship at the docks to
avoid the crash at Waterloo. and to see
the mouth of the Thames. There were
two other men in my cabin, for the
ship was full, every berth being taken,
but they had not yet come on board,
SO | arranged my belongings at leis-
ure, and then went on deck as we left
the dock to smoke and view the river
and the miles of wharves and shipping
as we slowly and majestically steamed
out to sea. The ship was nearly empty,
and passed quiet "a hours anticipat
ing the coming duel which was to take
place, and wondering If the simple
scheme would be successful.
The mailbags and passengers came
on board at Plymouth, and a scene of
animation and confusion followed; but
rough sea and headwind claimed the
exuberanee of many of the company,
and the dinner tables in the saloon that
evening showed an abundance of empty
seats. Both my cabin mates sue
eumbed, and I left them white and
groaning. Fortunately, / was a good
sailor; and, having enjoyed my dinner,
later in the evening found myself in
the smoking-room smoking one of Glib
sons cigars, and engaged in chat with
that worthy, who was most friendly
and evinced some curiosity about my
self.
l told my tale, which he accepted
with perhaps suspicious readiness.
Employed by Tring, are you? Pep
perry fellow; | know him well. We
used to be friends; now he hates me like
poison"
He introduced me to his friends,
Spellman, Dunbarton and Vandeimit,
who severally expressed themselves de-
lighted to make my acquaintance.
The first two or three days my ad-
versaries only skirmished, trying to
pump me, and dropped broad hints as
to the advantages which would follow
if | joined them-hints which ignored.
AS, however, they felt pretty sure that
| was the bearer of the coveted map, my
portmanteaus and my spare clothes
were searched more than once when |
was absent from my cabin. Itwas Spell
man who was toled off for this portion
of the quest; finding | was not very
cordial towards him, he struck up a
friendship with one of my cabin mates,
which gave him an excuse for entering
at all hours. l did not think it adyisa-
BILE to enlighten the latter, as my atti-
tude was to blandly ignore my adyer-
saries' behavior.
Spellman's researches proving of no
avail, the great endeavor to discover if
l had the paper took place about week
after Madeira was passed. | was play
ing a whist tournament, and noticed
that Dunbarton and Vandermit were
playing nap with the two men who
shared my cabin. ! guessed that Spell
man was making thorough search, and
as soon as l was through | hurried
there.
1t had indeed been thorough. Every
article had been taken out of the port
manteaus and examined, and the port
manteaus themselves cut and hacked
in search of a secret hiding place.
Everything had been scrutinized: even
the gray calico cover pulled off Lock"
TO make sure that nothing was between
it and the binding. Nor was this all.
for while l surveyed the wreck, 1 be
came conscious of an overpowering feel
ing of drowsiness, and knowledge came
to me that l had been drugged. Too
late remembered having just accepted
drink from Gibson; but | had only
sense enough left to tumble into my
bunk before falling into heavy sleep.
They no doubt searched me to the
skin that night, for l slept as the dead;
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