Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1901-03-28

L ~eFfs'T's ~ f'f's''sd 'fttvttt$
tossed couple Of flyers on to the
little table in front of which the skip
per sat. and the purser. little, old.
| spare gentleman with d long white
beard. took the money up. but looked
at the captain doubtfully;
Stay. stay. my fine fellow: It's ri6t
going to end like that. The trespass ID
only the smallest part. There has been
robbery on board. 1t has been re-
ported to me this morning, and, and
You suspect me?'' He nodded. "Un
what grounds. may ask? am emil
| tied to be told that
II shall tell you nothing. am cap
tain of this ship
But will not be so very long, think
after this voyage, If you adopt such q
high handed and unwarrarltable- course
as to accuse passenger OF theft, yet
give him no reason for it,
This shot told. His fiery eyes fa1ter-
ed for a moment, and there was less
assurance in his voice when he went
on, II am answerable to my employers,
not to YOU
And, pardon me, to the public, Of
whom am one, and to the British gov
eminent, whom 1 represent, Captain
Shearborne."
His jaw fell, and he looked rather
| helpessly at the purser, who stopped
over and whispered a few words In his
ear. They only seemed to still further
stir up his bile and more sturdily vindi-
cate his authority
"By heaven" he shouted. IN not be
bounced by every longshore scallywag
that chooses to face me out with thun-
iering lies. On board my own ship too!
British government be hanged! What
nave to do with 1t in midatlantic and
With so fathoms of blue water under
my keel! Besides, it's what you say.
How are we to know it's true? You adj
nitted you were sailing under false
eolors What's your real name?"
That moment he'd intended to tell
aim everything, but now did not trust
ais discretion.
You shall know all in good time
when 1T suits me. Meanwhile hold
you responsible
Yah! You're worse than sea law
yer. lacking and veering alfaround the
compass. Answer my question. Did
you steal those papers?
What papers? Whose?"
THE dukes. Terry Grada's. you
Know. You were seen near his state
coom.
That's untrue, for never went
there and don't know where 1t Is. But
as for my papers. Well, yes, I have
them here''-l tOucneQ my pockel-
and / mean to keep them"
The skipper all but bounded from his
chair. II think you must be stark.
staring mad; raging lunatic, no less.
I Shall have to clamp you in irons and
send you down for safety to Sand all
ley Hand them over now in brace of
shakes, or FIJI
He rose mechanically. Keep your
distance. Don't lay finger on nor
don't touch those papers. No one must
see them. They belong to the British
government"
nThen how came they in the possess
sion of this duke? Yah! Try another"
He acquired them wrongly and will
have to answer for that and other
things-he and those with him."
"Including that millionaire youth. I
suppose, Captain Wood. who seems
even more upset at this robbery-your
robbery"
i could contain myself no longer.
HE is not Captain Wood. He Is an
imposter. am Captain Wood, Mr..
McFaught's heir"
The skipper here burst into an up
roarious fit of laughter which the
purser echoed heartily.
by the everlasting lingo. this Is too
much! Quartermaster!" cried the cap
tain. and my friend ran in. Call in q
couple of hands with ropes end and
seize this chap down. It's not safe to
first of all hoist those papers out of
him. They're In the inner pocket"
Before they could touch me 1 made
one step to the open portfolio and with
a quick movement threw the parcel out
INTO the sea.
You desperate ruffian! I'll have the
ship stopped, a boat lowered. Run up
20 the bridge, quartermaster"
They're heavy enough to sink. Cap
tain Sherborne. long before you could
get within a mile of them, and you may
do what you like now. My minds per-
fectly easy"
II shall confront you with the boss
who owns those papers"
That he never did, nor will any one
else now. But again warn you to be
careful. If you bring us face to face.
there will be mischief DONE
No for l shall have seized you first,
made you SO fast you won't be able to
stir a finger or even look crooked, my
fine fellow"
The boots OH the other leg, captain.
The mischief will be done to me- and 1
tell you whatever happens will be laid
on you. claim your protection. With
hold it at your peril"
The skipper looked nonpulsed. No
doubt he was still inclined to think me
lunatic, but l spoke SO quietly and
collectedly that he was little shaken
In his first impression.
Upon my soul l don't know what to
say or do. What dye advise. Mr.. Bof-
flnge?' This to the purser.
He says he's Captain Wood. We
have reason to believe he Is not, not
according to this'-the purser touched
a printed list Of passengers lying on
the table-"or If he is the other must
be an imposter. Ask him. sir what
proof he can give us that he is the real
Simon Pure. Can he refer to any one
on board who will bear out this mon
strous assertion"
That's good idea, Boffinge. Come
my man, what do you say? Can you
do it?"
Easily IL 1 choose. There are two
ladies who would bear me out, but /
would rather not bring them into it.
| am engaged to be married to one of
| them"
The captain grinned. This was rath-
| err against me-a fresh proof of lunacy
And a young fellow who is practi-
| cally in my employ, although one al
Sarabands people,
THE New York detective agency?
! I've heard of them"
| "And he may not care to have you
| know who he is"
so that you can offer us no guaran-
tees of your good faith. eh? Strikes
| me you're in sinking condition and
| will soon be complete wreck" sneer-
| ed the captain THE whole thing Is
ugly-your loafing round where you
shouldn't, your unlawful possession OF
the papers which you make away with
syhen tackled. your claiming anothe,
mans name. don't like 1t, and III
tell you what mean to do with you
keep you close prisoner till we make