The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-05-07
CHAPTER XII
(Concluded)


II will not be a party to this. I
saw you throw certain papers over
board, which still believe you
stole"
Capt. Wood will answer for that
to the proper persons, and so will
you as to any charges you bring"
interposed Swete Thornhill stiffly;
you can reply on that. We shall
proceed straight to New York
ahead of you. and you shall be met
by the British consul and other au-
thorities."
That is all wanted to say" I
cried. Get there first, and set
everything in trim-you under
stand, Mr.. Snuyzer. / am in hopes
that the others do not know, or
have no more than suspicion Of
what has happened, and we should
be able to arrest them on arrival
We'll do our best, captain said
Snuyzer.
Again we shook hands all round,
and | promised them, the captain
included, who was now very much
on his good behavior, the best din
ner to be had for money in New
York. The Victrix would be there,
if all went well, in some 80 hours
more, the Chattahoochee in 48 or
so; ard these figures proved to be
pretty correct in the issue.
made no change In my arrange
ments for the rest Of the voyage,
but kept to my own part OF the
ship, except in the evening hours,
which spent in blissful tete-a-tete
with Frida. What passed between
us is no concern of any but our
selves.
We passed Sandy Hook in the
forenoon Of Sunday, and it was I'M
derstood that we should be along
side the wharf by 2 or at latest 3
| p. m. Already there was great
fiutter among the passengers.
The excitement grew when a
small steamer was sighted bearing
down on us at full speed, and some
cried, "the customs boat" as she
ran alongside, and we were quickly
boarded by a great crowd. thought
the eagerness of these American of
fcials very remarkable, and in
strong contrast with our slow NOV
ing, dignified customs house peo'
pie.
But l soon saw my mistake, as
these new arrivals ran, raced in
deed, to the hurricane deck, push
ing and posting and catching al
each others coat tails, laughing
and shouting boisterously: "Share
and share alike" well pool 1t,
where is he?" "trot him out" 1--WE
want the young British Croesus
give US a sight of fortunes spoiled
favorite, William Aretas Wood"
They were reporters and they
were come to interview the wrong
man. For I stood aloof, watching
and highly amused, knowing thai
when Snuyzer appeared the tables
would be swiftly turned on the con
spirators, who had no doub
planned all this by cable, in ad
vance. Now my double, the false
William Wood. stepped FORWARD
and began a set speech, evidentl!
carefully prepared.
heard the opening sentences al
went aft, determined to end Thu
audacious farce. Rossiter saw mi
coming, and would have stoppe'
mme; but | pushed past, and, get
ting in front of the assemblies
mob, cried:
This is all a mistake. | am Capt
Wood"
l was interrupted with jeers an
loud yells, and someone said
Throw him overheard" and other
cried, Order! order. Chair! chair!
on which rose louder cry "Bac
to the tug! Wen carry him RICH
ashore" There was a genera
movement to the ships side, head
ed by a couple of reporters VIII
had the "other" Wood by each arm
and behind. In the crowd, went tn
duke of TERRA Sagrada.
| saw at once what had happier
ell. MY brusque and unexpecte
apparision had no doubt shown tn
nearness of danger, and the COZ
spirators were trying to make
run for it. They succeeded, too
for although | begged the officers
the captain, the customs Officers
anyone and everyone, to detain tn
tug. she presently steamed off /
theh direction of New York.