The Van Buren press., 1897-08-28

deck chair. As a practical minfralo'
gist, he pointed out the best parts ia
study, and imbued much information
valuable enough had l designed 10 turn
miner. He was an amusing man. and
his creed simple enough-"Get money
honestly if you can; but get money
A more efficient auctioneer for selling
the numbers Of the ships run in the
daily sweeps it would be impossible to
find. aud l enjoyed the privilege Of act
ing auetioneer's clerk with Lock" for
desk on my knee.
II was four o'clock on Tuesday after.
noon when we reached Capetown. and
Gibson managed to get away by that
evenings train, leaving two of his fol-
lowers 10 bring his luggage on the next
day.
The third morning after landing
found me in Fox street, Johannesburg,
seeking Howard's office. l had just
seen the name on the window, and had
ascended the steps to the door of the
building when passer-by pulled up
on recognizing me. 1t was Gibson.
"Hullols he said ''where are you
off to now?"
The time for caution was passed, vic
tory was mine, and l could safely en-
joy my triumph. l surveyed the baf-
fled financier with smile of infinite
satisfaction, and replied:
- -4at,
ment from Mr.. Tring to Mr.. Howard" "
From the expression on my face and
the accent on my words, he read the
truth, and knew that had baffied him,
and his face changed. Words failed
him, for he was taken quite by surprise,
and bewilderment rendered him speech
less.
Enjoying his discontinue a few sec
onds, | turned and went in, leaving him
on the pavement below, the most un7
happy man in Johannesburg.
Having entered the outer office and
given my name to the clerk, | was
speedily shown into Mr.. Howard's
private room. He greeted me warmly
and in the same breath inquired if | had
been successful.
/ said | had.
"That's good news. I've just got my
mail and heard of your coming. Look
you see the envelope has been tam
pered With You are sure Gibson hasn't
set eyes on the map?"
absolutely" replied, then gave him
a short account of the efforts made to
secure it.
"Ay, ay, they wouldn't stick at much;
you're fortunate to get here with a
whole skin. But where is it after alp
In answer produced Lock on Gold,'
and, taking my penknife. cut off the
gray calico cover. which | had put on
again after it had been pulled off. Then
inserting the point into the cover it.
self | cut it open. There, snugly con-
cealed, lay the precious map. | had,
before leaving London, cut the cover
open with a sharp knife, and, placing
the map in between, glued up the edges
selutely conceal the fact that the cover
had been cut, had put the calico cover
over, and when it had been torn off by
the eager searcher he had never no
ticed that the binding itself had been
cut.
Thus, safely and securely, the map
had travelled, unseen by any eye, un-
touched by any hand, and now, having
placed it in the possession of Mr.. How.
ard, my mission as a special envoy was
over.
With the knowledge gained by the
map, Howard took steps which very
shortly made the land where Pepworth
Tring found diamonds the property OF
that worthy, and l know no more, as
nothing further has been heard of ths
discovery-no company has been pub
licly formed to work it. But | have q
strong idea that the find turned uI
trumps, and that the reason OF the 81.
lence is that it is too good thing foI
the public to be admitted.
Magazine.