The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1901-03-02
# Il It ii # # II

"fIe Is always herein the afternoon;
takes the office on his way to the
house. You might see him, then Sir
Charles, IL SO minded" said the naval
secretary.
"The afternoon! Probably four good
hours hence. Absurdw l cried hOtly
when every moment Is precious
Why, this pirate yacht has already
had "a hours start. Oh, come, Sill
Charles! Let us go somewhere else
There are other ships besides warships
steamers, yachts in dozens, for hire
why do you hesitate? VIII no one
help me" y
I asked this possibly with some
warmth, for heard some one say as
I'VE went off, Sir Charles and 1:
my word, what little fury"
From Whitehall the general took me
to Lloyds. He knew the secretary, he
said, and something of the ways of the
place-its wonderful organization and
the vast machinery at its command fol-
knowing all about ships, almost from
hour to hour. But the secretary, a
grave gentleman, with a sly twinkle in
his eye, shook his head very doubtfnlly
when he heard the whole story.
+ 81 fear we shall not be able to lay
our hands upon that yaciit-at least
for some time to come-lf she wishes
to keep out Of the way. We can track
her down the river, of course, as far
ms Southend on one side. the North
Eoreland on the other. But If after
That she steers a straight course east
ward till out Of sight, she will be lost
In the German ocean"
He touched bell on his table and
gave instructions to Il clerk.
Communicate with signal stations
Hown the Thames, and then with those
on the east and southeast coasts, and
Inquire for yacht answering this
description--it is the Fleur-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
no, what course she Is on. That won't
take half an hour. In the meantime,
you might be inquiring for a steamer
to send in chase. That Is your idea, Is
1t not?" and again he signaled in a
desk tube, summoning another subor-
linate. 's f.''s'
! "Can anything come of it?' asked
Sir Charles doubtfully.
I "Why not? You will, Of course, have
to send posse Of police in her. 1t
will not be enough to overhaul her;
you will have also to overawe the alb
ductors-always supposing you come
mp with and can positively identify the
Eleur-de- Lis, neither Of which is very
probable"
at Is just what I tell this young
s]ady. We've got first to catch the boat,
Rnd then to be sure 1t is the Fleur-de-
lis, before we go step farther"
"EXactly. Ali, Trevor"-this was to
another clerk who now came inlet
me know with all dispatch what
steamers could be hired for special
mission. Glass of no consequence, but
Rhe must have a speed Of 10 to 16
knots, and be ready for sea this after,
noon. Price of charter by week or
month. all fbund-crew, captain, Goals
pm board. Sharp's the word, you I'M
ferstand? Who is going in her? You
should have some police officers, in
base there Is any arrest to be made.
,. 1sssshps you will see to that, Sir
|l6Es..s w.
n Il should like to 60 in her." now
said
"My dear child" protested Sir
Charles, THAT is pure nonsense. In
The first place, l think 1t Is highly i'm
probable that she will catch up the
yacht. But IL she does there will be
jome rough and tumble work-fghting
perhaps. Those villains, after going
Such lengths, will not be, very willing
10 give up their prize. 1t would never
10 for you, Miss Fairholme."
II cannot bear to remain inactive. I
want to be doing something" con-
ended.
II expect you would be Inactive
mough on board the steamer" said the
secretary. Ranging up and down the
Waters probably, wretched sort Of
cruise and always In ignorance as tt
what was going on at home. think
Dou would be wiser to find some othel
outlet for your energies"
" At this moment the first clerk came
In with a slip Of paper in his hand.
"a small steam yacht flying no col
prs,' he read aloud, was reported pass
ing the North Foreland about s p. m
last night, and a steamer, the same nj
doubt, was seen from Beachy Head
this morning at S a. m. Her course ap
barently w. 9. w. westerly. Nothing
!, seen of her since. Start Point ant
Wizard have been warned specially tc
I, isiok for her and report"
"she Is making for the Atlantic,
earect,' was the secretarys common
. kary. vat least that would be fail
Inference. But once In the wide ocean
who shall say what will become Of
herr"
h "Could she not be intercepted from
plymouth or Falmouth l suggested
t'What would you calculate her rate
of steaming at the progress she ha!
made"
"It's a good suggestion, Miss Fair
holme. l should imagine the yach
would be off the Start soon after mid
hight and Plymouth by early tomorrow
morning. could wire instructions tt
n.loyds' agent to send out tug, ant
no doubt Sir Charles could arrange fol
police constables with search warrants
and authority to detaln the Fleur.de
\ Eis."
" 'That will I, by the Lord, and sen(
Of ~ hnnidoa INV