Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-06-17

drugged Too late remembered hav-
ing just accepted drink from Gibson;
but I had only sense enough left to
tumble into my bunk before falling in
to a heavy sleep.
They no doubt searched me to the
skin that night, for I slept as the
dead; but though woke next morning
with bad headache, I 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 in
quiries were instituted which came to
nothing. I innocently complained to
Gibson as to the bad quality of his
whiskey, and there apparently the
matter ended, for I was molested no
more.
I felt that I had won, as saw by
my enemies manner that they had de-
cided they were mistaken in imagining
had the map; but great cautiousness1
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
nue. as I 1ounged in my Madeira 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 practical miner
alogist, he pointed out the best parts
to study, and imbibed much informa-
ton 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 auc-
tioneer for selling the numbers of the
ships run in the daily sweeps it would
be impossible to find, and enjoyed
the privilege of acting auctioneer's
clerk with clock" for a desk on my
It was 4 o'clock on Tuesday after
noon when we reached Cape Town,
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 pas sangers
bound for the Rand travelled.
The third morning after landing
found me in Fox street, Johannesburg,
seeking Towards Office. [ had just
seen the name on the window, and had
assembled the steps to the door of the
building when passer-by pulled up
on recognizing me. It was Gibson.
"Hello!" he said, ''where are you
off to now?"
The time for caution was passed,
victory was mine, and I could safely
enjoy my triumph. I surveyed the
baffled financier with smile Of infinite
satisfaction, and replied:
II am the bearer of 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 I had baf1ed him,
for he was taken quite by surprise, and
bewilderment rendered him speech
less.
Enjoying his discontinue few
seconds, / turned and went in. leaving
him on the pavement below the most
unhappy man in Johannesburg.
Having entered the outer Office and
given my name to a clerk, Twas speed
lily shown into Mr.. Towards private
room. He greeted me warmly, and in
successful.
I said I had
"That's good news. I've just got
my mail and heard of your coming.
Look-you see; the envelope has been
tempered with! You are sure Gibson
hasn't set eyes on the map?"
Absolutely" replied, then gave
him short account of the efforts made
to secure it.
cay, ay, they wouldn't stick at
much; you're fortunate to gethere with
a whole skin. But where is it after
all?"
In answer I produced Clock 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 itself, l cut it open. There,
snugly concealed, lay the precious
map. had, before leaving London,
cut the cover open with q sharp knife,
and placing the map in between, glued
up the edges with great care. Being
unable to absolutely conceal that
the cover had been cut, had put on
the calico cover, and when it had been
torn off by the eager searcher he had
never noticed 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..
Howard, my mission as special en-
voy was over.
| With the knowledge gained by the