Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-05-07


nard Seymour. but he felt equal TO
the occasion. There was subducd
twinkle in his blue eyes, which no
assumption of dignity could entirely
offset. He critically watched the
pcrspiring Cuban at the oars. Then
he looked at the Helen Carmody."
The yawl came alongside the brass
rallied gangway.
Capt. Baldwin. OF the "Hclen Car
mody" stood at the head Of the
gangway. Mr.. Bernard Seymour sa-
iluted him with an impressive gesture.
Good morning, Captain!"
Capt. Baldwin bowed but said moth
ing.
Il am Bernard Seymour; special
commissioners of The Record" said
Mr. Seymour. present my card and
my compliments to Miss Carmody and
Mr.. Chalmers"
Come aboard, Mr. Seymour" said
Capt. Baldwin. Il am glad to meet
you"
An, is this SEYMOUR" said Mr..
Chalmers, who now appeared.
''Glad to meet you, old man. Accept
my congratulations. | hope you are
not mistaken in your man"
81 never make but one mistake on
the same case" said Seymour, shak-
ing hands cordially with the manag-
ing editor. when can ! pay my re-
spects to Miss Carmodv?"
Here she comes now" said Chal-
mers. Miss Carmody came forward
RADIANT in a yachting costume of white
broadcloth, trimmed with gold braid.
II have the pleasure of presenting
Mr.. Bernard Seymour" said Mr.
Chalmers.
II am delighted to meet you, Mr..
Seymour said Miss Helen as she
extended her hand. ~ have heard so
much Of you it seems as if
knew you. I am glad to welcome
you aboard the yacht"
Mr. Bernard Seymour bowed pro-
foundly. He had framed a speech,
hut il had eludcd him. He felt that
he must say something.
you can't lose me. I am glad to
meet you. Miss Carmodv. The pleas
ure is all mine"
There was a twinkle in his eve
which was Irresistible, and Miss Car
mody laughed until the color came
to her cheeks. and she looked more
charming than ever. She took Mr..
Seymour in charge. and induced him
to tell the story of how he came to
solve the mystery of the Hestor
bungalow. Mr.. Chalmers listened to
Mr.. Seymours carefully prepared
narrative.
when T received Mr.. Chalmers
telegraphic adyices," said Mr.. Sey-
mour, 81 made up my mind hat the
first place to search was along the
lumber docks. 7 thought il all over,
and said to myself, it is like this:
If Hestor has built house in trop-
ical America the lumber proba bly,
came from New Orleans, which is
the great lumber market of the
south. The contractor might hail
from any place. but naturally he
would ship his material from New
Orleans. 1t was nearly dark when
arrived in the city. I went to the
hotel, looked at my mail, and went
from there to the docks. questioned
lstevcdorcs. -wallopers. sailors
and leyee men of all descriptions. 7
went finally to a resort frequented
by such men. There were proba bly,
so of them in the room. | picked out
n smooth-Iool5ing colored boy and
told him | would give him S5 if he
would ask every man present if he
l,
named Walter B. Hestor. 7 told him
all about Hestor: that he was a news
paper man who owned yacht called
the Shark and that he was eccen-
trio, and liberal with his money.
HE was bright coon" said the
veracious Mr.. Seymour. land he
wanted TO earn that money in a hur-
,ry. He got on top of beer key
and made a speech. Once in a while
he would misstate point, and
would correct him. When he was
through n darkey. with face as
black as the ace of spades came for
ward and asked me how much
would give to know what boat that
lumber was shipped on. | did not
want to appear too anxious, so / Of
fered him 50. We went TO one side,
and he told me That about year ago
a man arrived in New Orleans with a
yacht called the Shark and that the
owner superintendent the loading Of n
lot of lumber, doors, windows and
stuff on a schooner called the Sam
Walker He described Hestor to a
dot. He said Hestor's chief amuse-
ment was to throw money to the ne
groes along the levee to induce them
TO sing and dance. He would stand
on the Sam Walker and throw coins
by the hour, until the levee was
black with darkies. l knew he had
the right man. / gave him the 50
1~<zW ~5