Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-05-14


tally relieved the blood clot; the
existence of which had been sus-
pected. It was successfully removed.
For a month Hestor lowered on the
border line, and then slowly moved
away from the danger point. Sidney
Hammond and Mr.. Van Horne alter
mated in remaining in New Orleans
until he was on the road to recovery.
Hestor had no recollection of events
subsequent to the Chinese expedition.
In his dclirium ne imagined himself
ut the head of his men in that far
away Celestial empire. When he
awoke from this fantasy, clothed in
his right mind, he recognized Sidney
Hammond and greeted him with a
pleased but mystified smile.
"How came you here, dear old fell
1ow?" he asked as he reached out
wasted hand. "What are you doing
in China? What Is the matter with
me? All. I remember now! That
pig-toiled beggar hit me on the head
But where did you come from, Sid
ney?"
swcr and warned Hcstor that he
must not talk or disturb himself in
any way until he regained his
strength. During the period of CON
valescence Hestor's curiosity was too
great to be denied, and Sidney evolved
IA wonderful fabrication. which gave
a rational expla nat ton of how Hestor
happened to he in New Orleans,
rather than in some city Of the
howery kingdom. 1t was apparent
1iestor did not believe or understand
this statement: but like all invalids,
he was compelled to accept with the
best possible grace what was offered
| him.
The physicians in charge of the
case prepared a statement in which
it was set forth that Mr.. Hestor had
been suffering from a clearly-de-
! fined attack of amnesia, preceded by
period of mild dementia. II pos
| scssed many remarkable features,
| but was by no means Unprecedented.
| DO YOU believe his recovery per-
manent one, DOCTOR" asked Sidney,
anXiously.
"QuieR sabe?' replied DR.. Brown
"There is no reason why it should
not be a permanent one. The cause
/ is removed, and Hestor is now appar-
emily in full possession of his fac
/ ulties He is a strong. healthy man.
and there is no faint of insa nity in
his family The truth must be kept
l.. 10
gained his physical strength He
should take long ocean cruise. in
company with some one in whom he
has complete confidence. That means
You"
When these facts were explained
to Mr.. Morton and his associates,
they were unanimous in a decision
to take no legal steps against Mr..
Hestor, or against Capt. Waters.
They were satisfied to await Hestor's
complete recovery, and were conf
dent that he would make honora bic
facts.
One afternoon Sidney informed
Hestor that the physicians had adj
viSed an ocean cruise, and that he
would be permitted to go on board
the shark" in about two weeks.
Hestor urged that he should go to
New York and attend to certain
business affairs. This was not lis
tened to, and it was finally arranged
that Hestor give Mr.. Hammond
power of attorney to look after such
matters az required attention. Mr..
Van Horne took Sidney's place while
the latter was in New York.
All Of Mr.. Hestor's property was
in Understanding securities, and
these required little or no attention.
Mr.. Chalmers had not made public
his suspicious concerning HestOr's
Wall street operations, neither had
any statement been made by Mr..
Morton or others. Sidney found a
record of the various transactions in
a safety deposit vault. He then
called on Street q Rogers and pre-
scented his credentials. Their books
showed that Walter b. Hestor had n
credit of $32 100000. He had orig
inally purchased 100000 shares of
stock, and had issued instructions
which had been strictly carried out.
The money was due from various
banks, trust companies, commission
and brokerage houses. Street &,
Rogers had decided not to force pay
ments, fearing to disturb the money
market. Mr.. Hammond Endorsed this
course and instructed them to grad
ually convert the credits into inter
estbearing securities.
Thus it happened, one fine Septem-
Der afternoon, that the steam yacht
shark" sailed down the river from
New Orleans, destined for the wa
tiers of the South Pacific. On board
were Walter B. Hestor. Sidney Ham
mond. l.. Sylvester Vincent and Ber-
nard Seymour. Mr.. Vincent and Mr.
Seymour were present at Mr.. Ham
mond's invitation. and Hestor was
delighted with his new acquaintance
Vincent had a wonderful venture OF
hand which demanded his presence
in southern waters, and Mr.. Seymour
proposed to gather the materials foI
a book, which, he asserted, would
make them all sit up nights And
on the deck of the shark" with
Capt. Waters once more in command
this narrative will leave them.
| The later events in the lives OF