The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-04-24
CHAPTER vi
(COntinuei)

/ III
which resented, but he cut me
quite short. This farce has gone
far enough. l wash my hands of it.
Goodnight" (this to the old man
servant as we walked away. And
If you will be guided by me, Miss
Fairholme, you will do the same.
It's all humbug, from first to last |
give you my word. do not believe
one syllable of this story, except,
perhaps, about the papers, and even
then | am not quite satisfied. For
they were sent to Capt. Wood in the
dispatch box; that we know"
But not at Capt. Woods re.
quest" l said hurriejly
| His man thinks not. and | admit
the box was not specifically men,
toned in the letter; but the letter
said papers, and the expression
was seemingly one that Wood used,
| for the man, as matter of course,
sent the dispatch box"
| But what do you imply?"
Just this, that Capt Wood in
tended to keep out of the way-for
| reasons | do not presume to con-
jecture-and while out of the way
to go on with his work. He'll turn
up in good time, take my word for
it, were the cynical police
coloneps last words.
| hated and loathed him for taxi
ing this view, and turned my back
on him.
Sir Charles did not console me,
for he was thinking more about the
official papers than Willie5s disap-
pearance.
When l got to Hill st. l crept
up to my room, very sorrowful and
sick at heart, and cried myself to
sleep.
Next morning while I was dress
ing they came and told me that
Mr.. Snuyzer had called. He had
something important to tell me,
and was rather in a hurry.
Capt. Woods not in that
house. began the American alb
ruptly, when l got down stairs.
How do you know? Why are
you so sure?" I asked.
Haven't the smallest doubt of
it. | know. because l went right
through the house last night, every
single room"
What! Did they let you in?"
mo, miss; | broke in Bur-
glary You call it in this country,
believe"
The mans audacity staggered
me.
81 got into the house right
enough. First thing was to lay
hands on the caretaker. There
was no one else in the house He
swore to that; and | soon saw
that he was speaking truth, for l
ransacked every corner, turned out
every cupboard, but nary soul was
to be found. They'd all cleared
out but this one critter. So went
back to him and threatened his
life. He was very stiff. but Col.
Colt Is a mighty fine persuader,
and presently he outs with the
story; lies maybe, maybe truth,
but good enough to make him
worth keeping till we could get
some confederation"
What was his story? Anything
about Capt. Wood? Did he admit
that they had taken him?"
"You bet he did. Told us the
whole game from first to last The
first we knew pretty we'll before;
the last is that they have taken
him out to sea in a steamer. The
steam yacht Fleur de Lis, auxiliary
screw, 274 tons register. Cleared
from Victoria dock yesterday at 3
p. m. I've been there and verified
it this morning"
Already"
yes" he went on. The yacht
Fleur de Lis, Chapman, master left
the dock at p. m. yesterday. They
knew her well there. She was wait
ing, ready for sea, fires banked.
Blue Peter flying, waiting only for
her owner, and left her birth direct
ly he was got on board. He was an
invalid came in carriage to the
dockside, and had to be carried on
board wrapped up in blankets.
"A lady helped him, thought to
be his wife, but she did not accom-
pany him to the ship. She stayed
on shore-very much upset, they
told me who saw her, and could
hardly be persuaded to re-enter the
carriage. But gentleman at last
made her, and they drove away to-
gether. So the parties have split
up; one lot are afioat with their
prisoner, meaning, I've no doubt,
to keep him away at sea, incapable
OF interfering, while the others
carry on their spoliation in New
York. That's how | figure it now"
said the detective.
CHAPTER VII
At the Admiralty and Lloyd's
Sir Charles Collingham lived out
Kensington way, in a new red
house on Campden hill. | got there
in less than half an hour, for my
carriage was at the door; and al
though l knew something Of his
ways from Willie Wood, | hoped to
catch him before he left home. 1t
was not yet 10 a. m.
He was out already on his BIZ
cycle when | arrived, but he came
up, fortunately just as I was ask
ing for him.
Come for news or brought