Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-16


via Harwich. to Bremen, whittier he had
been summoned on urgent business. The
second partner OF the firm had dinner en-
Eagement and so it fell to Matthew GUMS
lot to settle up the days work and leave
instructions for the morrow. 1t was near
ly o'clock when he left the emporium and
as he strobe westward through the Janu-
airy fog, through the gloomy, deserted city
streets, he wondered how many months
would pass before he sat down to his desk
again For the ne-st morning he was to
leave London, sailing from TiIbury docks
for South Africa: thence to johannesburg
via Kimberley. and ultimately to that part
of Bechuanaland and the kalahari desert
which lies northwest of the TransvaaI. The
object of the expedition was, of course, to
collect quantity of wild animals for ship
ment to England.
In King William street. near the monu-
ment, Quin was stopped by a man coming
from the opposite direction; his features
were almost hidden by the brim of his hat
and the Upturned collar of his overcoat
Mr. GUM he said.
That's right. But 1 fear you have the
advantage of me-
I'm John FordyCe."
Quin at once reca led the name. He knew
little of the man, -hough, except that he
lad several times dropped in to see Karl
Hamrach.
What can 1 do for your he asked.
Il was on my way to the office-Mr.
Hamrach said l should probably find you
read this"
He produced an envelope, and Quin open
ed IT by the hight Of a tobacconists win
dow 1t contained the following brief let
ter. undoubtedly in the handwriting of his
employer:
My dear Quin: The bearer, John For
dyce, has request to make. 1t appears
reasonable, and l would suggest that you
grant it. Goodbye and good luck to YOU
Yours, in haste. KARL HAMRACH."
Where did you get this?' ouin asked
AT Liverpool street station, from my
friend. Mr.. Hamrach,' was the satisfac-
Story answer.
And what do you wish?"
"A slight favor said John Fordyce.
"Ycu sail for South Africa in the morning,
believe, and you are taking out a lot of
supplies for the expedition. l want to ship
some goods-tinned goods in boxes-to Jo-
| hannesDurg, and / am anxious that they
/ should go straight through. There will be
no trouble about that, if you will allow me
| 10 put your name upon them and send
them to your ship, the Cumberland Castle
as II they were q part of your equipment
will mark each with blue cross and the
| charges snail be prepaid when they are de-
Ivered at the dock
Suppose they are opened by custom Off
oers?' suggested Quin-
They won't be- was the calm reply
The protection of your name will carry
them through untouched. Mr.. Hamrach
assured me that the equipments for his ex-
petitions passed in all countries"
Yes; that's true admitted Quin. "Aad
when the stuff reaches JohannesburS?'
1t Will be called for Immediately. You
viii give it up receipt of an order from
a certain Robert Smith,
gum did not reply Immediately. He saw
through the matter, he believed but he did
lot like il. and he wished it was in his
power TO refuse. Tine letter was genuine
however, and there was no alternative ur-
less ne chose TO disregard his employers
Wishes He thought of telegra phin3 to
HarwIch TO make sure that there was no
mistake or misunderstanding, but he
changed his mind when he remembered
Kari Hamrach's peppery disposition.
Send the boxes to the steamer if you
Iii e., he said, curt Iy
Thank you, very much" replied JOHN
Fordyce, who had been waiting with calm
confidence i shall not forget your kind
ness. Are you going my way?'
No. muttered Quin.
He watched Karl Hamrach's mysterious
friend vanish in the fog. Then he hailed
passing cab, stepped into it, AMI gave his
bloomsbury address TO the driver
i don't care to be saddled with such
responsibility" he reflected, as he rolled
along toward the bank. "Of course it's
all trick to run some valuable goods into
the Transvaal free of duty. Hamrach may
have a finger IN the speculation himself
but it more reasonable to suppose that he
is only obising a friend. Anyway, he
needn't have selected me for a catspaw"
With that Quin dismissed the matter
rem his mind, for he had more important
things to think of. But ten heavy boxes
tearing his name and marked with blue
crosses, Joined his legitimate luggage in
the mold of the Cumberland Castle the next
morning They accompanied him to Jo-
hanneSbUrg. where he arrived in ,Iue course
OF time, and were promptly claimed and
carried off by a drayman, who presented an
order signed by Robert Smith This was
not the end of the affair as Quin hoped
he was 20 learn more of the boxes of tin
ned goods in the future, and renew his
Grief acquaintance with the mysterious
John FordyCe.
The months which followed. eveatfrll as
they were in their own way. have - direct
bearing on the narrative. In October of the
same year, after a trying but successful
expedition TO the Kalahari desert Quin
found himself back in Johlnnesburg A
week after his arrival at the close of the
day he was standing at the window If his
hotel room Below him was the bustling
main street Of that mushroom town which
new boosted three railways. magnificent
stock exchange. fine banks and churches
clubhouses and shops
On the previous day the valuable and
large lot or animals, accompanied BIZ Car
runners ana number Of helpers, had left
by rail- Tor DelagOta bay, whence they Houll {.
be shipped 10 England. The next mo aiug
gum was 10 start for Cape Town by way
OF Kimberley. there TO catch a fast mail
steamer he had already purchased his
ticket. and he had no inclination to remain
longer In Johannesburg. The town was IN
restless, unsettled state owing to the
wrongs of the Outlanders. Their unjust
treatment by the Boer government and the
heavy taxation TO which they were sub
jected, threatened to lead speedily to a
crisis OF one sort or another.
ITS bound 10 come" reflected Qutn,
whose sympathies were, OF course. with the
Outlanders. and before the close OF the
year, IL I'm not mistaken"
AS ne turned from the window he heard
loud rapping, and without waiting for an
invitation, man entered ths room and
shut the door behind him.
HullOi you here?'' Quin exclaimed in
surprise, for he instantly recognized his
visitor as John Fordyce.
Yes; I've been in johannesburg fnur
months, was the reply. I'm sorry TO
ask another favor of you, Mr.. Gum; but l
knew you were going down country tomor-
rev, and thought you wouldn't mind TAX
ing a small packet with you"
As he spoke he produced bulky enyel-
ope. sealed with wax, and addressed to a
prominent broker of Cape Town.
Its quite harmless, but important" he
added 1T refers 10 a stock Speculation"
Really. this is too much" said QuIn. IN
yexed tone Why don't you send II by
post?"
Because the Boer officials are in the
habit OF opening letters" Fordvca rerlfed