Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1901-02-21
"A GIRL z GRIT
BY MAJOR ARTHUR G2FFlTt1S.
official papers than Whites disappear
light, 1900, by X. +. Fenno & c

official papers than Willie's disappear
ance.
BY the Lord Harry, we shall be in
Queer street If they don't turn up" he
said with much emphasis. Wood or
no Wood, we've got to get them, or
there will be jolly row; cabinet
question, egad, and the DEVILS own
complications. The matter can't rest
here. So cheer up, Miss Frida. Well
I'll do our level best"
Why certainly" added snuyzer,
we don't depend entirely on police
colonels, and this one is not SO al
mighty clever. I've got to get on the
inside track of this business, and I'll
do it yet you bet your bottom dollar"
1T was kind of them, but l would not
be consoled. When 1 got to Hill street
crept up to my room, very sorrowful
and sick at heart, and cried myself to
sleep.
Next morning while was dressing
they came and tod me that Mr.. Snuy-
ger had called. He had something inn
portant TO tell me, and was rather in
Il hurry
Captain Woods not in that house."
began the American abruptly, when
got down stairs.
How do YOU know? Why are you SO
sure?" | asked.
Haven't the smallest doubt Of It,
| kow. because l went right through
the house last night, every single
room"
What! Did they let you in?"
No, miss; l broke in-burglary you
call it in this country, 1 believe, and
you may give me into custody If you
please. But the detective that's not
good enough to break the law on an oc-
casion as Well as break into house
s,.,,I l.,
up the business"
The mans audacity staggered me. i
was quite terrified, but liked him for
1t.
You see. miss, l can't afford to stick
at trifes. My professional reputation
is at stake, and the more 1 thought it
over the more l hungered to get inside
that house In Featherstone gardens,
and this is how l worked 1t: First,
set a close watch on the house, front
and back. and found before midnight
that no ore had gone either In or out.
| rcckoned that there We're not very
many of them. and We mustered half
q dozen. two of them practiced crooks
professional burglars, miss We got
into the house right cnough-the
crooks managed that-in half an hour
First thing was to lay hands on the
caretaker. There was no one else in
the house. He swore to that, and we
soon saw that he was speaking truth,
for we drew every room, ransacked ev-
cry corner, turned out every cupboard,
but nary soul was to be found. They'd
all cleared out but this one critter. So
Went back to him and threatened his
life He was very stiff, but a revolver
is mighty fine persuader, and pres
entity he outs with the story; lies may
be, maybe truth, but good enough to
make him worth keeping till we could
get some confederation"
What was his story? Anything
about Captain Wood? Did he admit
that they had taken HING"
You bet he did. Told us the whole
game from first to last. The first we
knew pretty we'll before; the last is
that they have taken him out to sea
in a steamer. The steam yacht Fleur-
de-Lis. auxiliary screw, 274 tons reg
lister, cleared from Victoria dock yes
terday at p. m. I've been there and
verified 1t this morning."
"Already?"
Yes" he went on. THE yacht Fleur-
de-Lis, Chapman master, left the dock
at p. m. yesterday. They knew her
we'll there. She was waiting, ready for
sea, fires banked, blue peter flying,
waiting only for her owner, and left
her berth directly he was got on board
He was an invalid. came in carriage
to the dock side and had to be carried
on board wrapped up in blankets"
''Ah. Joe was right then"
"A lady helped him, thought to be
his wife. but she did not accompany
him to the ship. She staid on shore
Very much upset, they told me who
saw her, and could hardly be persuaded
to re-enter the carriage. But gentle
man at last made her. and they drove
away together. So the parties have
split up. One lot are anoat with their
prisoner meaning, I've no doubt to
keep him away at sea, incapable OF in
terfering, while the others carry on
their spoiation in NV York. That's
how figure it now" said the detective
shrewdiy.
II dare say you're right" I Inter-
rupted him hastily. "But surely these
speculations will not help us. We've
got to give chase to that yacht. How
is 1t to be done?'
You see, she has tremendous
start"
mo auxiliary screw can do more
than eight or ten knots. I believe.
Mother and 1 were in the Mediter-
ranean last year With one of the best.
Let us hire something faster. There
must be plenty of steamers. l will pay
any price gladly
Then we have no idea of what
course the Fleur-de-Li has taken"
There are signal stations all along
the coast, l believe. We hear of ships
being reported every hour almost, as
long as they are in sight of land"
She will fly no signals and will cer-
tainly get out OF sight of land"
"Oh. dear, dear!' | said, almost cry
Jr 1, am
culties. It's too terrible to think of.
Is there nothing YOU can suggest ?
Have you no advice to give? 1 shall
go and consult Sir Charles Colling-
ham. He is n man in authority, and
can help, believe. ] shall tell him
what you have discovered"
Well. miss let's each go our owl,
way. but see here. Take this I've
noted down a description of the E'leur-
deLls just as ] got 1T from the dock
yard. It's the only guide you'll have
in tracing her, for she won'A fly her
number, you bet
CHAPTER VII.
AT the ADMIRALTY and Lloyds.
Sir Charles Coilingham lived out
kensington way in new red house on
Campden hill. l got there in less than
half an hour, for my carriage was at
the door, and, although 1 knew some
thing Of his ways lrom Willie Wood, /
ncped to eaten ninDelorc he left home
( 1t was not yet 10 Il. ~. He was out
already on his bicycle when arrived
but he came up. fortunately, just as /
WAS asking for him.
Come for news or brought some
hey, Miss Fairholme? If it's the first
| can help you-worse luck; il the 9TH
el-and, egad. by the look on your bon
ME face 1 believe you've something to
/ tell! Is that it? tIa." He hoped off
! his bike With all the alacrity of a