The leader., 1897-08-11

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 mailbogs and passengers came
on board at Plymouth, and scene of
animation and confusion followed; but
IA rough sea and headwind claimed the
exuberance 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
cumbed, and | left them white and
groaning. Fortunately, | was 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; l know him well. We
used to be friends; now he hates me like
poison"
He introduced me to his friends,
| Spellman, Dunbarton and Nandermit,
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
friendship with one of my cabin mates,
| which gave him an excuse for entering
at all hours. l did not think it advisa-
bic to enlighten the latter, as my atti-
tude was TO blandly ignore my adver-
saries' behavior.
Spellman's researches proving of no
avail, the great endeavor to discover if
| had the paper took place about week
after Madeira was passed. | was play
ing a whist tournament, and noticed
that Dunbarton and Nandermit 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 I 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 | surveyed the wreck, l 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 10 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;
but though | woke next morning with
a bad headache, l felt well pleased for
no result had awarded their toll. OF
course | made fuss as to the conduct
of some mysterious thieves, who had
not even spared the lining of my boots,
and certain inquiries were instituted
which came to nothing. l innocently
complained to Gibson as to the bad
quality of his whisky, and there APP
parently the matter ended, for l was
molested no more.
| felt that had won, as saw by my
enemies manner that they. had decided
they were mistaken in imagining had
the map; but great cautiousness was
still necessary till the journeys end.
Never crow before you are out of the
wood is an excellent piece of advice.
Still, feeling that the worst was over, a
sense of calm possessed me as lounged
in my Medeira chair, under the shade
of the awning, for the tropical sun was
very sultry, and made iced drinks
necessity instead of luxury.
Gibson continued good friends with
me. and often came and chatted as l
languidly studied Lock on Gold" in my
deck chair. AS a practical mineralo-
gist, he pointed out the best parts to
study, and l imbued much information
valuable enough had designed to 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, and l enjoyed the privilege OF act
ing auctioneer'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 to 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
saen the name on the window, and had
ascended the steps 10 the door OF the
building when passer-oy pulled up
an recognizing me. lt'was Gibson.
"Hullo!" he said; where are you
off TO nowT
The time for caution was passed, vic
tory was mine, and could safely en--|
;oy my triumph. / surveyed the baf-
ged fnancier with a smile OF INFINITE
satisfaction, and replied:
II am the bearer OF a certain aoea'