The state herald., 1909-11-26

least as Dig as one or the ocean liners
of so years ago, and had done 90 1-16
knots on her trial. Mr.. Van Torp took
her over as she was, with her officers,
crew. cook and stores, and rechris-
tened her. She had been launched as
the Alwayn; he called her the Ian
cashire Lass-a bit of sentiment on
his part, for that was the name of a
mare belonging to Lady Maud's
father, which he had once ridden
bareback when he was in an amazing
hurry.
He had one interview with the cap
tain.
See here, captain" he said. II may
not want to take trip this season.
I'm that sort Of a man. / may or /
may not. But If do want you. I'll
want you quick. See?"
With the last word. he looked up
suddenly, and the captain saw" for
he met pair Of eyes that astonished
him.
"Yes, see." he answered mechanic.
ally.
"And II you're in one place with
your boat, and wire that want you
in another. I'd like you to get there
right away" said Mr.. Van Torp.
Yes, sir"
"They say she'll do 22 1-10." contin.
ued the owner. but when / wire l
want you I'd like her to do as much
more as she can without bursting a
lung. II you don't think you've got
the kind of engineer who'll keep her
red-hot, tell me right off and Wen get
another. And don't you fuss about
burning coal, captain. And see that
the crew get all they can eat and not
a drop Of drink but tea and coffee, and
If you let 'em go on shore once in a
while, see that they come home right
side up with care, captain, and make
each of 'em say truly rural and Brit
ish Constitution before he goes to
bed, and If he can't, you Just unshir
him. or whatever you call 1t on boat
Understand. captain"
The captain understood and kept his
countenance.
Now. l want to know one thing.
continued the new owner. Whats
the nearest sea port to Bayreuth. Ba
varia?"
Venice" answered the captain
without the least hesitation. and sc
quickly that Mr.. Van Torp was i'm
mediately suspicious.
''If that's SO, you're pretty smart,
he observed.
You can telephone to Cooks Office
sir. and ask them." said the captain
quietly.
The instrument was on the table a,
Mr.. Van Torps elbow. He looked
sharply at the captain. as he un
hooked the receiver and set 1t to his
ear. In few seconds communication
was given.
Cooks Office? Yes. Yes. This is
Mr.. Van Torp. Rufus Van Torp oi
New York. Yes. want to know
what's the nearest sea port to Bay
reuth. Bavaria. Yes. Yes. That's
just what want to know. Yes. IN
hold the wire while you look II up"
He was not kept waiting long.
Venice. you say? You're sure you're
right. suppose? Yes. Yes. was
only asking. No thank you. II want
ticket I'll look In myself. Much
Obliged. Good.by"
He hung the receiver In It's place
again. and turned to his captain with
n different expression. In which ad
miration and satisfaction were quite
apparent.
Well" he said. you're right It's
Venice. must say that. for an Eng
lishman. you're quite smart"
The captain smiled quietly. but did
not think II worth while TO explain
that the last owner with whom he had
sailed had been Wagner.mad and had
gone to Bayreuth regularly. More
over. he had judged his man already.
Am to proceed to Venice at once.
sir?" he asked.
AS quick ns you can. captain"
The Englishman looked ut his watch
deliberately. and made short mental
calculation before he said anything. II
was II In the morning.
Il can get to sea by 1--WE o'clock this
afternoon. sir. will that do?"
Mr.. Van Torp was careful not to be.
tray the least surprise.
Yes" he said. ms n he were not
more than fairly satisfied. "thst'n do
nicely"
Very weil. sir. the, IN be on. It's
about 5000 miles. and she's supposed
to do that at rs knots with her own
coal. Say eight days. but % this is
her maiden trip We must make allow.
ance for having to stop the engines
once or twice. Good. d.morning. sir"
''Goodday. captain. Get In some
coal and provisions ns soon as you mr..
rive In Venice. ! may want to no to
Timbuctoo, or TO AndRman islands or
something I'm that sort OF n man.
I'm not sure where III 40. Good. by"
The captain stopped Mt the first ,clc.
graph ONCE on his way To the Water.
loo station and tclcgrnphcd both to his
chief engineer. Mr. M'Corh. and his