The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-05-01
CHAPTER X
Captain Wool Resumes

NAlteT SUBSTITUTING MS SLOW TeCOV-
cry from unconsciousness, and an
interminable drive, still bound and
gagged, he goes on to tell how he
at last found himself on a narrow
bed, probably cabin berth. The
motion, the noises, the doors
around soon satisfied him that he
was on shipboard and at sea-
| must have been in state Of
semi-stupor, the result of ill-usage
and want of food, for only reused
myself with difficulty on hearing
my name called aloud realized
then that my bonds had been cast
loose; there was no gag in my
mouth; | was so far free that I
could use my limbs and speak If I
chose. | was in a small cabin, only
dimly lighted through the closed
port; but it was still daylight, and
from the wash against the side l
knew that the craft, whatever it
might be, was in the open sea.
Three men were in the small
cabin. crowding up and filling it
completely. Two stood over me,
one of whom | recognized as Law
ford, the American: and when l
saw his face | realized how deep
laid was the plot against me. Be
hind was a third, a negro, who took
no part in the proceedings.
The spokesman was a tall, thin,
lantern-jawed man, a typical Yam
kee from the West, with a goatee
beard and big SLOUGH hat. His
accent was strongly cOrroborative
Of the land he hailed from
You'll be mad with us, | guess.
Mr.. Wood, for this rough handling"
he began, slowly revolving an I'M
lighted cigar between his lips: "but
we've got our reasons, and they're
good-to us, anyhow. | may first
observe that you are in our power,
and that we can do what we like
with YOU
"Pshaw! The first ship passing,
liner or man-Of-war, will set me
free" | cried contemptuously.
That's so, if you could communi-
cate; but we shall prevent that, l
reckon, by keeping you below, I'M
less you swear to do no such
thing"
What do you want of me?
Money, | suppose? Well-I'll pay
anything in reason"
Now you're talking. That's the
caper; only | take it we shall pref
ty well help ourselves. The scheme
as we've figured it, and | don't
mind telling you, is to keep you
right here, in this same hooker at
sea-while the rest of us dip down
into your dollars. We've better
right than you to your misgotten
| fortune"
Nonsense. What can you dc
without my signature?"
We've got it, or first class imi'
tation Of it. That was managed
long ago.
There will be heavy reckoning
for you all-all, Lawford, you
understand
The poor wretch looked down
but said nothing.
Guess we can take care of our
selves; anyway, that's our bust
ness. Yours is to consider whether
you want to be kept a close pris
oner down here"
l found to my surprise port
manteau, one of my. own, with
shirts, linen and one or two suits
of dittoes, had been put into my
cabin. AS | was still in evening
dress, that which | had worn on
the night of my capture, | was glad
enough to change. Before / threw
off my clothes | felt in all my peck
cts, and found my watch and my
purse. Nothing was missing ex
cept a small wallet which l always
carried and in which l had placed
the letter from the New York law
yers announcing my accession Of
fortune. No doubt it had been re
moved for some evil purpose, part
of the general scheme of fraud.
| could find no fault with the ne
gro valet Lysander except that he
was too attentive. His care was
that of keeper or jailer, tempered
with the devotion of a persona
body-servant. He shaved me very
skillfully, helped me into my clear
clothes, made my bed, tidied my
cabin and brought me what | STOOD
most in need of, hot and sufficient
| meal.
My captors visited me again. ant
finally agreed to give me the free
dom of the deck on my promise no
to hail any passing ship. was glat
to escape from my cabin for the
time.
1t was a splendid day on deck
! bright sun, brisk air freshenins
off the sparkling sea. We were un
| der full canvas-she was a schOon
err yacht-and doing a good II
knots, I imagined, down channel.
judged the direction Of our course
by the position of the sun, the
movement of the shipping ant
steamers going both ways, We
more by. the blue line of land or
either bow
| have called our vessel yacht
her name the Fleur de Lis, as
saw it marked on the life belts
brasswork and compass-box; 6
yacht, as was evident from her fit
tings, the clear deck fore and aft
the abundant brasswork, the alb