The Princeton union., 1900-11-22
ralty. It's an affair OF national Inn
pOrtancc to recover those DaDers.''

we were soon introduced to q Captain
Pulteney, who proved to be naval sec
retary to the first lord and very
charming man, dare say, but took
a great dislike to him, for he began at
once to make difficulties, speaking, I
thought, in sneery, put you down
sort OF way which was very irritating.
What could we send? There isn't
a ship" he said, addressing the others,
and seeming to imply that the whole
British navy had ceased to exist. "Be-
sides, if l could lay hands on a gun
boat or dispatch vessel, what course
would she steer? What is she to look
for? The whole thing is a wild goose
chase. Pm dead against it,
Il think We'll see Sir George" re-
marked my dear general stiny Eve
can discuss these points better With
him. and we again moved on, Cap
tain Pulteney following, grumbling
and growing all the way.
But Sir George Fitz Hugh Che was
the first sea lord) sided with Captain
Pulteney. The information was too
vague; nothing was positively known,
neither about the papers nor about
Captain Wood.
"You see, Sir Charles, you have moth
ing to go on about those papers, were
they stolen, seized, whatever we
may call it. Who can be certain of
that, or Of anything, except that they
have disappeared, as Wood has? And
you infer that the same people have
taken them both. How do we know
that? You take too much for granted.
Or, let us admit they were taken, how
do we know that they were put on
board the yacht? 1t is all pure con-
lecture. L should be very sorry to
act-to take upon myself to act: we
must wait for the first lord"
"When do you expect him:" l asked
impatiently. I was getting cross at I'LL
these difficulties and delays, and I
could see that Sir Charles Collinglam
was dangerously near losing his tenn
per. He only controlled himself by re-
naming stolidly silent.
He is always here in the afternoon:
takes the Office on his way to the
L.,
Charles, if so minded" said the naval
secretary.
@'The afternoon: Probably four good
hours hence. Absurd" l cried hotly,
"when every moment is precious.
Why, this pirate yacht has already
had "a hours start. Oh, come, s'r
Charles! Let us go somewhere else.
There are other ships besides warships
steamers, yachts in dozens, for hire.
Why do you hesitate? Will no one
help me?'
l asked this possibly with some
warmth. for I heard some one say as
we went off, Sir Charles AMI l:
MY word, what little furyr'
From Whitehall the general took me
to Iloyds. He knew the secretary, he
said, and something Of the ways Of the
place--its wonderful organization and
the vast machinery at its command for
all about ships, almost from
hour to hour. But the secretary a
grave gentleman. with sly twinkle in
his eye, shook his head very doubtfully
when he heard the whole story
Il fear we shall not be able to lay
our hands upon that yacht-at least
for some time to come-if she wishes
to keep out Of the way. We can track
her down the river, of course, as far
as Southend on one side, the North
Foreland On the other But if after
that she steers Il straight course east
ward till out Of sight. she will be lost
IN tho German ocean,"
He touched 4 bell on his table and
gave instructions to 4 clerk
'Communicate with signal stations
1oWn the Thames, and then with those
on the east and southeast coasts, and
inquire for yacht answering this
is the E'leur-de- Lis, in
fact. She is registered here; you can
verify her from the books Ask if she
has been seen or spoken with. and if
so, what course she is on. That won't
-ake half an hour. In the meantime,
you might be inquiriny for steamer
% send in chase. That is your idea, is
t not" and again he signaled in a
lesk tube. summoning another subor-
Innate.
Can anything come of it," asked
Sir Charles doubtfully.
"Why not? You WILL of course have
% send posse of police in her. 1t
viii not be enough to overhaul her;
'ou will have also to overaWe the alb
luctors-always supposing you come
lp with and can positively identify the
tleur-de-Lis. neither of which is very
1T is just what l tell this Young
ady. We've got first to catch the boat,
nd then to be sure it is the Fleur-de
us, before we go a step farther
Exactly. All, Trevor''-this was to
mother clerk who now came inlet
ne know with all dispatch what
teamers could be hired for a special
1ission. Glass of no consequences, but
he must have Il speed of Is to Is
nots. and be ready for sea this after
Don. Price of charter by week or
lonth, all found-crew, captain, Goals
n board. Sharp's the word, you un-
erstand? Who is going in her? You
hould have some police officers, in
ase there is any arrest to be made.
'erhaDS YOU will see TO that Sir