The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1903-02-07
CHAPTER x.
SEYMOUR THE SI4EUTH.

forwarded to him at New Or
leans. 1t was popularity of the
Bernard Seymour kilograms that
they always contained stipulations
for fresh funds. Mr.. Stevens had
hearty respect for the Seymour
luck. He overlooked any slight irreg-
;u}arities in methods, and accordingly
autographed the money, and also full
Instructions concerning the search
,for the architect and contractor in
charge of the supposititious Restor
country house.
No answer came from Mr.. Seymour.
When the staff of reporters arrived
in New Orleans, they learned that
Mr.. Seymour had registered at the
St. Charles Hotel. lie had cashed
che money order, but had not cccu-
pied his rooD, nor had i've been seen
ut the hotel .ince the lime of the
financial transaction. The new arriv-
sis made vain search for the rriss-
ing sle'lth, and then went briskly to
work without him.
When Bernard Seymour arrived in
New Orleans, he was, rs he expressed
It, "mnch the worse for wear"
When Re learned that he had caused
the arrest of famous Chicago cl.r-
g1nan, instead of L. sylvester Vim
cent, he lost no time in quitting St.
Louis. lie abandoned his baggage at
the Pln.ters' Hotel, and took tho
first trein south.
Seymour arrived in New Orleans
khn fD1a In
that tho "West End"-the breathing
place Of the Southern r.etropol's,-
\ would b. the most congerial place to
begin operations. The West End"
10 q cluster of hotels, f-inging tho
bathing beaches on the south shore
of lake pontchartrain. and serves ~
. mere sristrocratic Coney Island to
New Orleans. Mr.. Seymour found it
brilliant with rows of electric lights.
a s,ore of crchestras and bands were
haerding their hnrmonies with the
nuruur Of the pleasure-seeking
ttrcng.
"Eello, Seymour"
A heavy set man, with his face
ma1>sd by cavernous gin, pushed
hi. way through a crowd rod Slapped
Mr.. Bernard Seymour on the
shoulder.
"Well. you little ferret, what arc
You doing in New Orleans?"
"Str!"
That's what said-sir! Will you
have q drink, sir?"
yer, ,lr. Now 1 understand you,"
said hr. Seymour. "Well, you old
Indirr, did not know you were
down here. What are you doing7
Who IRE you doing?"
Nothing and nobody" said Mr..
Dick Bender. Mr.. Bender was n news
paper nan. whose natural ability was
obscure5 by habits more congenial
thar regular. An excellent writer,
he sv.ldo n held Il position more than
three r.nnths. He was the journals
tic rrctntJpe of the tramp printer.
"I'p against it, eh?" asked Sey-
mour.
1T surely am up against it good
and III ID"
I,icp Bender tossed off big drink,
and g.inned as if his hard luck were
sonnet ling to be contemplated with
Joy.
"yo'l don't drink enough, Dick"
sale Seymour. "You are .ocial re-
cluae. Your abstinence has become
a matter of common gossip. You
should thaw out once in a while and
become q mixer"
"Naver mind my fail.ngs. An.
s"er me some questions" said Mr..
Be nder, resting his foot oa the rAil,
ard swinging his arm in an easy posi-
ton across the mahogany. what
are you doing in New Orleans?"
"None of your business
"True, but not to the point. i
know what you are doing. You are
on the kidnapped millionaire case"
Some one must have told you. IT,,
witness refuses to commit himself
Will you haze another drink?"
They had several. Under their in
hutnce Seymour told Dick Bender
his mission, but was too discreet 10
reveal any information which hid
been received from New York lie
III, tied Mr.. Bender to take din.rr
with him, and that gentleman as
too polite to refuse.
When Mr.. Seymour atvolle the FOL
loving afternoon he was in narrow
bunk, which seemed to rise and tai
as to the hcave of ship. He az
crbed this to natural causes nnt
went to sleep. When he again awok'
it was dark. For moment he Ia,
quiet. TO his ears came the splasl
of waters and the grooming and NUT
te1ing of a ship. by the smoky ligh
of lantern he found his clothe
scattered on the floor. He put thel
on as fast as possible, but the operu
tiem was delayed by the swaying .,
TIE room. The heavy breathing Of
sleeper in an opposite bunk seem.
to beat time to the motion of tn
ship. Seymour opened the curtain
and peered in. 1t was Mr.. Dick Ber
der. Seymour shook hin, savagely.
"Wake up, Bender!" no said as h
clawed the sleeper around the bunt
Wake up! We are kidnapped by p
rates!"
Bender opened his eyes. blinket
gr"aned. and dropped back into a
untroubied sleep. Seymour agai
aroused him.
1--WE are kidnapped, tell you!
he said in hoarse whisper. 'TWal
up, and prepare to die like mani"
"Forget It'll" said Mr.. Bender, m
he again closed his eyes. But Sc,
mour was persistent, aud finally su
ceeded in arousing the drowsy Be-