Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-04-16

our request. Is there no way in
which we can compromise the mat
ter?"
81 know of none which will not dis
arrange my plans" said Hestor.
"You are all having a good time.
What more can 1 do for you?"
81 will come to the point at once"
said Mr.. Morton. az am authorized
by the gentlemen on this boat to
offer you $5,OOO,O00 for our immediate
return to New York harbor."
81 could not think of it," said Hes
tor promptly. as if declining an or
binary business proposition. IL have
more money now than l know what
TO do with. That is why I went into
newspaper reporting. No money
, could tempt me. Mr.. Morton. Let
MS drop the subject and go on deck.
1t is too fine day to remain below"
Mr.. Morton realized that he had
failed, and that there was absolutely
no hope in that direction. He said
nothing 80 his associates of his lack
of success but waited for chance
t" speak to Capt. Waters. IL was
late in the afternoon before he had
an opportunity to make any PROPOSE
ton TO that official. Hcstor was on
the upper deck. Capt. Waters en-
tered the saloon, which at that mo-
ment was occupied only by Mr.. Nor
ton and Mr.. Rockwell. As the cap
tain entered the room. the latter. at
u signal from Mr.. Morton. discreetly
/
moment at the center table and idly
turned over the leaves of maya
! zine. Mr.. Morton advanced to the
table.
1--WE are favored with beautiful
weather, Capt. Waters" said Mr..
Morton.
Good cruising weather." re
spondcd the captain as he turned
and started for the companion way.
in front of him.
capt. Waters. I wish to have a
few words with you in private"
Not with me, sir" said Capt Wa
ters. He stopped for an instant
with one foot on the stair. He
looked Mr.. Morton full in the eyes.
~ talk in priv ate only with Mr.. Hes
tor he said.
Mr.. Morton laid his hand on the
officers arm. He was not accus-
toned TO have his requests refused
or his offers repuscd. For moment
he seemed to study the stern face
of the official.
Capt Waters" he said, in low
distinct voice. do you wish to make
a million dollars?'
"No. sir"
The heavy jaws came together with
snap which was more eloquent in
its decision than any studied refusal.
He discngagcd his arm and STROBE up
the companion way
Keep her off Il point" he said to
the Wheelsman.
MIR. Morton slowly paced the saloon
with his hands behind his back and
his head bent forward. as in deep
contemplation. In short time Mr..
Rockwell returned. He gave Mr.. Nor
ton ii questioning look. In response
Mr.. Morton shook his head gloom
ily hut said not "a word. His com-
punion showed no surprise nor did
he cvince much disappointment. Like
Mr.. Kent he saw no hope for imme-
date relief and had resigned him
self to await results. lie selected
book from the shelves and read
quietly until dinner was announced.
Dinner was served al six o'clock
The weight OF entertaining fell on
1.,t
ter gentleman had not yet been able
to attract the attention OF MIR. Car
mndy he was satisfied that he would
have an Abundance" of time IN which
to explain his plans. Mr.. Morton
had acquainted his associates with
the f;rlurc which thus far had at
tended his negotiations. He yet hello
out hope but ii was faint. WheI
coffee had been Srycd, Ilestor arost
and said:
"Gcntlcmen. we are now not fan
from Cape Cod. During the evening
am going to send a man ashore with
letters. You will tind stationery ir
your statcrooms. ! suppose that al
of you wish to send word assuring
y
are alive and well. You can do so
but YOU must not enter into any par
ticulars about this outing. You car
inform those in whom YOU are con
ccrned that you are safe; that yol
will return TO them after reasonable
length OF time, or YOU may make any
other statement not connected Will
business or with your present where
abOuts. Hand me the letters un
sealed, and | will examine them anC
have them mailed during the night
: 1 should have all of them in my pos
session before nine o'clock"
How about me-" asked Mr.. Vim
. cent.
"You are included" said Mr.. He's
tor
There was no hesitancy in accept
: ing this invitation. The thought tina
, they could speedily communicate
with their loved ones lifted "a grca
; load from their minds. For an hou
Hcstor acted as censor on these let
tiers. lie made but few changes. ant
+ these of course rendered it neces
sary to rewTite the rejected letters
In the meantime the yacht hat
rounded Cape Cod and dropped int
. the quiet waters of the bay.
Shortly after nine o'clock III
= dinghy was swung out on her davit