The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1907-11-14
CHAPTER XIX
(Continued)

|
Because there are other things
value more-your good opinion,
for instance" said Elliott, with diff
ficulty, feeling all the painful joys
of remuneration. He wanted to say
more; he struggled vainly for
words, but after an Intellectual eff
fort he fell back upon a practical
question.
what will you do. them"
1--WE been thinking of that" she
said. Il shall try TO get something
to do at the Cape can always
make living. | can do almost any.
thing"
"Oh, heavens! You mustn't do
that. You sha'n't." groaned Ell
lott.
"Why not?' she said with a
smile do you know it is almost
a relief to have the weight of that
terrible treasure taken away. 1t
has been a sort of curse to every
one, | think. But it seem sa pity,
doesn't it, that We should get moth
ing at all for having worked so
hard and travelled so far and risk
ed so much. The government ought
to refund our expenses, anyway"
Salvage. | should think SOL"
cried Elliott, shifting his hand on
the rail "Why didn't | thin kof it
before? OF course We have claim
for our trouble and expense, and
we can collect it, too, if we turn in
our share of the stuff to the crown"
But | suppose they would only
allow us a trifle, after all, said
Margaret.
mot a bit of it. Twney ito SO
per cent Of the value is always
paid for salvaging a cargo Your
share now is nearly $350,000, and
at least 100000 of that will be
honestly, lawfully yours. Any
court will award it to you
But will Mr.. Henninger-"
"Henninger and the others will
never give up a cent of their share );
| know that. We mustn't spoil their
plans, | suppose, so we will give
them time to get safely clear. Then
we will surrender our part of it,
and present our bill for expenses,
and say nothing about any more
having been recovered. The
crown will be glad enough to get
any Of it back"
This is the best news Of all"
said Margaret, with a long breath.
"a hundred thousand dollars; That
will be fabulous wealth for
me. | can have all the things and
see all the things, and do all the
things that / have dreamed of all
my life and never expected to real.
ize. Now | believe I'm really glad
to be rich again. Aren't you?"
81 don't know" Elliott muttered
81 think we ought to try to use
this money so as to justify having
it, Margaret went on. 1T has cost
so much misery and so many lives
and I want to spend it so as tc
make it clean again. l want tc
make others happy with it, as well
as be happy myself. What are you
going to do with it?'
- don't know" Elliott burst out
81 don't value this money, whether
it's hundred thousand or mil
lion, not a straw. I'd throw il
away. I'd bio wit in, like Hennin
ger-God knows what I'll do with
it. There's only one thing that
I really want. / told you what il
was at that hotel in New York, and
you ordered me never to speak OF
it again. If | can't have that
don't care much what becomes OF
the money, or of anything else"
Don't say that. Don't speak Of
that---not now!" murmured Mar.
garet; and as he hesitated she turn
ed quickly away and slipped toward
the stern companionway. "You
won't lose by waiting" was what
she left in semi-audible whisper
as she vanished, and Elliott had
this to ponder on as he stood watch
ing the heavy swell rolling blackly
toward Africa, toward Durham,
where the dhow was due in an
other day.
But it was really two days be
fore she glided up the port and
anchored innocently in the bay
looking anything but the treasure
ship she was. Ana now the most
harassing, the most anxious and
delicate part of the whole adven
ture was begun.
Margaret went on to Cape Towr
at once, with instructions to secure
maid In that city as a travelling
companion and to sail direct fol
. London. And in her absence the
gold was taken ashore piecemeal
in pockets and travelling bags ant
hat boxes, and little by little ex
, changed for clean Bank of Eng
land notes and shiny sovereigns
: Over $150,000 was sold in Durham
! and then the party proceeded tt
, Cape Town, whereof following thu
same procedure. nearly twice as
much was passed over to the banks
, for specie.
The rest, Henninger decided
= could best be disposed or ia Ameri