Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-11-30
PROLOGUE.

About forty miles southwest of Cook
town, in Northern Queensland. but
lying we'll out Of the beaten track to
the far-famed Palmer gold; fields, is. 4
stony sandy ravine. known to the few
fossicl,ers who have from time to time
given it a trial. as BLACK Horse Gull
ly." Report had it that gold existed
plentifully in that district. though no
one, it was said. except one man, a
German. had ever found the precious
metal there in any considerable guam
tity. This fortunate digger visited
Cooktown to obtain supplies and to
bank his gold, and many unsuccessful
attempts had been made to track him
back to the source of his wealth. Upon
one Of these periodical visits he died
very Suddenly, and the secret as to the
whereabouts of his claim was believed
to have died with him.
Late one afternoon in July. man.
dressed in the usual red flannel shirt
and moleskins affected by the digger
class, rode into Cooktown upon Il lean.
jaded horse and diSmounted ut an I'M
pretentious little inn known as the
Miners Arms. Having hitched his
horse to a veranda post. he entered the
bar, nodded to the landlord and few
chance customers, and CURLY demand
ed a bed for the night.
"All right replied the landlord. re-
ferring to the slate. There are half
a dozen for you to pick FROM
Il want a room to myself" said the
stranger.
Right you are, mate" was the re-
ply, eff YOU care to pay for two beds"
The newcomer shrugged his Shout
ders contemporary, placed Il pound
note upon the counter and, in the usu-
al Australian style, ordered drinks for
all those present. He then handed his
weary steed over to the care of sta
bleman and proceeded on foot to the
poStoffice
'Any letters for Luke Arnewooa?"
he inquired, anNicusly.
Iii see. replied the delivery clerk
proceeding to examine the contents of
a pigeon hole. where from?" he add
ed. !: little suspiciGuSly.
THE cid cOuntry-London." was the
answer. ITS all right. I've had let
ters addressed here before. See here"
So saying, he produced several letters
In proof of his assertion. ana the
clerks doubts vanished.
Cali right" he rejoined. I'VE have
to be bit careful you know Here
are three letters for. you: one from
london. rEift enaTglA The two others
Deaf";1le AHhlin p,stmark.''
Every likely" rejoined the applicant.
almost clutching at the letters in his
eageiness. He placed them carefully
In his bosom and retired, mutteriils
some gruff words of thanks. He then
returned to the inn. ordered some din
ner, and retired to the bedroom he had
secured. in order to peruse his CORE
SpOndence in peace
For some moments he sat staring at
the addresses upon the. letters, as
though doubtful which, to open first
and finally unsealed the one bearing
the London postmark. 1t ran as fol-
lows:
''13G Essex Street
Strand. London. w. c..
June 2nd. 1885,
'Sir-Your favor Of April 9th to
hand. wherein you inform us that YOU
are the only son of the Mr.. George
Arnewood (alias Arnott). for whom We
advertised in the 'Queenslander and
other Australian newspapers. and that
your father died two years ago We
have forwarded your communication
to Messrs. OBrien and Grudgery. so
1icitOrs. Dublin. from whom YOU will
doubtless hear in course of post
Yours faithfully.
Hawkins X Co.
Per Weston.
Luke ArneWOnd. ESQ.
Postoffice CooktowE Queensland"
''That tells me nothing" he muttrred.
opening a second letter: and. though a
strong. healthy-looking man. his hand
shook as he did so.
IRE Arnewuod'S Trust.
. is Harc0urt Street.
Dublin. June 4th. 1898.
Dear Sir: Our London agents. Messrs.
Hawkins & Co.. have forwarded us
your reply TO their advertisement in
the 'Queenslander.' informing them
that Mr.. George Arncwood is dead and
that you are his only SON. Assuming
your statement to be correct and sus-
ceptible of satisfactory proof las is. we
inform you that you are. as your faith
er's heir. entitled in tal-mail. to the
extensive and valuable estates owned
by your grandfather. the late Mr.. Basil
A1newood, ID. -. j. p, who died in
testate last November.
1t will. of course, be necessary for
you to establish your claim fully: and
to this end, we would direct your at
tention to the Importance Of the follow
fag: Certificate of your fathers mar
riage: certificate of your birth: certiti-
cate Of your fathers death; any lei.
tiers OF o.her documents left by him.
tending to establish his identity and
yours. We would suggest the advisa-
bility of your departure for Ireland at
as early a date rs possible. Should you
be in want of funds for the voyage. we
shall remit you what you require. upon
hearng.from you to that effect; and.
we would be obliged by your sending
MS copies, at the. same time. of such of
the above named certificates as may be
In your possession.
Your obedient servants