The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-04-25
CHAPTER VII
(COntinued)

pers, were they stolen, seized
whatever We may call it. Who can
be certain of that, or of anything
except that they have disappeared
as Wood has? And you infer that
the same people have taken them
bot How do We know that? You
take too much for granted. We
must wait for the first lord"
when do you expect him. l
asked impatiently. I was getting
cross at all these difficulties and
delays, and l could see that Sir
Charles Collingham was dangerous
ly near losing his temper. He only
controlled himself by remaining
stolidly silent.
"He is always here in the after
noon; takes the office on his way to
the house. You might see him,
then, Sir Charles, if SO minded"
said the naval secretary.
"The afternoon! Probably four
good hours hence. Absurd" l cried
holly, when every moment is pre-
clous. Why, this pirate yacht has
already had "a hours start. Oh,
come, Sir Charles! Let us go some
where else. There are other ships
besides warships-steamers, yachts
in dozens, for hire. Why do you
hesitate? Will no one help me?'
l asked this possibly with some
warmth, for l heard someone say
as we went off, Sir Charles and /
"My word, what little fury!'
From Whitehall We drove into
the city by the embankment, and
the general took me to Lloyd's. He
knew the secretary, he said, and
something of the ways of the
place-its wonderful organization
and the vast machinery at their
command for knowing all about
ships, almost from hour to hour.
But the secretary, grave gentle
man with a SLY twinkle in his eye,
shook his head very doubtfully
when he heard the whole story.
Il fear we shall not be able to
lay our hands upon that yacht-at
least for some time to come-if she
wishes to keep out of the way. We
can track her down the river, Of
course, as far as Southend on one
side, the North Foreland on the
other But if after that she steers
a straight course eastward till out
of sight, she will be lost in the Ger
man ocean,
He touched a bell on his table,
and gave instructions to a clerk.
Communicate with signal sta
tons down the Thames, and then
with those on the east and south
east coasts, and inquire for yacht
answering this description-it is
the F'leur de Lis, in fact. She is
registered here; you can verify her
from the books. Ask If she has
been seen or spoken with, and If
so, what course she is on. That
won't take half an hour In the
meantime you might be inquiring
for a steamer to send in chase.
That is your idea, is it not?" And
again he signaled in a desk-tube,
summoning another subordinate.
Can anything come of it," ask
ed Sir Charles doubtfully.
why not? You will, of course,
have to send a posse of police in
her. 1t will not be enough to over
haul her; you will have also to
over-awe the abductors-always
supposing you come up with and
can positively identify the Fleur de
Lis, neither Of which Is very prob
able"
at is just what l tell this young
lady; we've got first to catch the
boat, and then to be sure it is the
Fleur de Lis before we go step
farther"
Exactly. All, Trevor"-this was
to another clerk who come came in
-''let me know with all dispatch
what steamers could be hired for a
special mission. Glass of no conse-
quence; but she must have a speed
Of Is to Is knots, and be ready for
sea this afternoon. Price Of char
ter by week or month, all found
crew, captain, Goals on board.
Sharp's the word, you understand.
Who Is going in her? You should
have some police officers, in case
there is any arrest to be made. Per-
haps you will see to that, Sir
Charles?"
81 should like to go in her."
now said.
my dear child" protested Sir
Charles, that is pure nonsense. In
the first place, l think it is highly
improbable that she will catch up
the yacht. But if she does there
will be some rough-and-tumble
work-fighting, perhaps. Those vii
lains, after going such lengths, will
not be very willing to give up their
prize. 1t would never do for you.
Miss Fairholme."
81 cannot bear to remain mac
tive. | want to be doing some
thing" | contended.
Il expect you would be inactive
enough on board the steamer" said
the secretary, Ranging up and
down the waters probably, a
wretched sort Of cruise, and always
in ignorance as to what was going
on at home. l think you would be
wiser to find some other outlet for
your energies"
At this moment the first clerk
came in with a slip of paper in his
hand.
"A small steam yacht, flying no
colors," he read aloud, "was re-