The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1897-10-08

| 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 ap-
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,
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 a luxury.
Gibson continued good friends with
me, and often came and chatted as
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
a desk on my knee.
Itwas 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. 1 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.
"Hullo!" he said: where are you
| off to now?"
The time for caution was passed, vic
tory was mine, and could safely en-
| joy my triumph. I surveyed the baf-
fed financier with a smile of infinite
satisfaction, and replied:
81 am the bearer of a certain docu-
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 1 had baffled 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 un-
happy man in Johannesburg.
| Having entered the outer Office and
given my name to the clerk, l was
speedily shown into Mr.. Howard's
private room. He greeted me warmly,
and in the same breath inquired if had
been successful.
1 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.
SAY, ay, they wouldn't stick at much;
you're fortunate to get here with a
whole skin. But where is it after all?"
In answer produced Lock on Gold,"
and, taking my penknife. cut off the
gray calico cover, which l had put on
again after it had been pulled off. Then
| inserting the point into the cover it,
self l cut it open. There, snugly con-
| cealed, lay the precious map. l had,
before leaving London, cut the cover
open with sharp knife, and, placing
the map in between, glued up the edges
with great care. Being unable to alb
solutely conceal the fact that the 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, UNI
touched by any hand, and now, having
placed it in the possession of Mr.. How
ard, my mission as 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 the
discoVery-He company has been pub
licly formed to work it. But have
strong idea that the find turned up
trumps, and that the reason of the si-
lence is that it is too good a thing for
the public to be dmitted.-Paterson's
Magazine.
Couldn't Dodge COurting.