Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1901-02-21
I will pay anything. Only do, please.
let us lose no more time. Could not

will pay anything. Only do. please,
let us lose no more time. Could not
we get man-of-war?"
by jove, you're right! II we could
have a fast cruiser now. Upon my
soul. believe it might be done! II
could only persuade them at the adj
miralty It's an affair of national i'm
portance to recover those papers,"
We drove straight to the admiralty
in WHITEHALL where the general was
admitted without question or delay.
We We're soon introduced to Captain
Pulteney, who proved to be naval sec
rotary to the first lord and a very
charming man, 1 dare say, but took
great dislike to him, for he began at
once to make difficulties speaking. I
thought, in a sneery, put you down
sort of way which was very irritat-
ing,
What could we send? There isn't
ship" he said, addressing the others,
and seeming to imply that the whole
British navy had ceased to exist. Be
Sides If could lay hands on gun
boat or dispatch vessel, what course
would she steer? What is she to look
for? The whole thing is a wild goose
chase. I'm dead against IT,"
Il think We'll see Sir George" re-
marked my dear general stif1ly. 1--WE
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 We're taken, how do
we know that they We're put on board
the yacht? 1t is all pure conjecture.
should be very sorry to act-to take.
upon myself to act; we must wait for
the first lord"
When do you expect hlm?" asked
impatiently. j was getting cross at
all these difficulties and delays, and 1
could see that Sir Charles Colling
ham was dangerously near losing his
temper. He only controlled himself by
remaining stolidly silent.
He is always here in the afternoon;
takes the Office on his way to the
house. You might see him, then, Sir
Charles, If so minded" said the naval
secretary.
The afternoon! Probably four good
hours hence. Absurd.' 1 cried hotly,
when every moment is precious. Why,
this pirate yacht has already had "a
hours start. Oh, come, Sir Charles!
Let us go somewhere else. There are
other ships besides warships
ers, yachts in dozens, for hire. Why
do you hesitate? Will no one help
me-
asked this possibly with some
warmth, for l heard some one say as
we Went off, Sir Charles and 1:
My word. what q 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
for knowing all about ships, almost
from hour to hour. But the secretary,
a grave gentleman, with SLY twinkle
IN his eye, shook his head very doubt
lilly when he heard the whole story.