The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1897-07-02


in the evening found myself in the
smoking-room smoking one of "Jim''
Gibson's cigars and engaged in chat
with that worthy, who was most
friendly and evinced some curiosity
about myself.
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 andermit,
who severally expressed themselves de-
lighted to make my acquaintance.
The first two or three days my ad-
versaries only skirmished, tried to
pump ne, and dropped broad hints as
to the advantages which would follow
if | joined theln-hints l ignored
AS, however, they felt pretty sure
that | was the bearer of the coveted
map, my portmantcaus were searched
more than once, and my spare clothes
when | was absent from my cabin. 1t
was Spellman who was told off for this
portion of.the quest; finding l 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. | did not think
it advisable to enlighten the latter, as
my attitude was to blandly ignore my
adversaries' behavior.
Spellman's researches proved of no
avail, the great endeavor to discover
if | had the paper took place about a
week after Madeira was passed. l was
playing in whist tournament, and
noticed that Dunbarton and Wander
nit were playing nap with the two
men who shared my cabin. l guessed
that Spellman was making thorough
search, and, as soon as | was at liber-
ty, hurried there.
1t had indeed been thorough. Every
article had been taken out of the port
malteaus and examined. and the port
manteaus themselves cut and hacked
i'll search of Il 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, l be-
came conscious of an overpowering
feeling Of drowsiness, and knowledge
came to me that | had been drugged.
Too late | remembered having just ac-
cepted 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 | slept as the dead;
but, though | woke next morning with
a bad headache, | felt we'll pleased, for
no result had rewarded their toll. OF
course | made fuss as to the con luct
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 appar-
emily the matter ended, for l was me-
Tested no more
felt that | had won, as | saw by
my enemies manner that they had de
cided they were mistaken in imagining
| had the map; but great cautiousness
was still necessary till the journeys s
end. Never crow before you are out
of the wood is an excellent piece of adj
vice. Still, feeling that the worst was
over, a sense of calm possessed me as
| lounged in my Madeira chair, under
the shade of the awning, for the tropi-
cal sun was very sultry, and make iced
drinks necessity instead of luxury.
Gibson continued good friends with
me, and often came and chatted as |
languidly studied Lock on Gold in nv
deck-chair. AS a practical mineralo-
gist, he pointed out the best parts to
study, and l imbibed much information
valuable enough had | designed to turn
miner. He was an amusing man, and
his creed simple enough: SECT money
honestly if you can; but get money
\ more efficient auctioneer for selling
the numbers of the ships run in the
daily sweeps it would be impossible to
find, and enjoyed the privilege OF
acting auctioneers clerk with Lock for
a desk on my knee.
1t was four o'clock on Tuesday
afternoon when we reached Capetown
and Gibson managed to get away by
that evenings train, leaving two of his
followers to bring his luggage on next
day, when the rest of the passengers
bound for the Rand travelled.
The third morning after landing
found me in Fox street, Johannesburg
seeking IIoward's office. | had just
seen the name on the window, and had
ascended the steps to the door of the
building, when a passer-by pulled up
on recognizing me. 1t was Gibson.
"lIullo!'' he said, "where are you off
to now?'
The time for caution was passed,
yirtorv woS mine and I .nu16 G. faI1,