The Brownsville daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1897-1910, 1909-09-29
Continued from yesterday
CHAPTER ~.

Without offending Mr.. Van Torp.
Lady Maud managed not to see him
again for some time. and when he IN
derstood, as he soon did. that this was
her wish, be made no attempt to force
himself upon her She was probably
thinking over what he had said, and
in the end she would exert her IT,
nuence as he had beslad Ee- &c DO.
He was thoroughly persuaded that
there was nothing unfair in his pro-
pOsal and that. when she was con-
WINGED that he was right, she would
help MIN,
But WHEN he had taken the first
step towards accomplishing his pur-
pose, he was very much at a loss as
to the next. and he saw that he had
never undertaken anything so diff
cult since he had reorganized the
Nickel Trust. trebled the stock,
cleared a profit of thirty millions and
ruined nobody but the small-fry, who,
OF course. deserved it on the principle
that people who cannot keep money
ought not to have any Some unkiud
newspaper man had then nicknamed
it the Brass Trust, and had called him
Brassy Van Torp; but it is of no use
to throw mud at the Golden Calf. Tor
the dirt soon dries to dust and falls
Off, leaving the animal as beautifully
shiny as ever.
Mr. Van Torp did not quite see how
he could Immediately apply the torce
Of money to further his plans with
effect He knew his adversary's fnan-
ciaI position in Europe much too well
to think of trying 10 attack him on
that ground; and besides. in his rough
code It would not be fair play to do
that It was All right" TO ruin a hos
tile millionaire in order to get his
money. That was business" But
to ruin him for the sake of q woman
was Glow down" It would be much
more "ail right to shoot him. after
fair and due warning. and TO carry OF
the lady. That was impossible in q.
civilized country. Of course; but as IL
occurred to him. while he was think
ing, that he might fnd it convenient
to go somewhere in a hurry by sea. he
bought a perfectly new yacht that was
for sale because the owner had died
of heart disease the week after sne
was quite ready to take him 70 the
Mediterranean The vessel was a
least as big as one OF the ocean liners
Of 80 years ago, and had done 20 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 thar was the name OF
mare belonging to Lady Mauds
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. ne said y may
not want to take a trip this season.
Pm that sort of a man. may or l
may not But if I do want you. III
want you quick See?"
With the last word. he looked up
suddenly. and the captain saw. for
he met a pair of eyes that astonished
him
Yes. 7 see" he answered mechanic.
ally
And if you're in enc place with
your boat, and wire that I want you
in another, Id like you to get there
right away" said Mr. Van Torp
Yes. sir.
They say she'll do % lie" contin.
ued the owner. but when I wire
want you I'd like her to do as much
more as she can without bursting a
lung If 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
drop of drink but tea and coffee, and
if you let EN- go on shore once in a
way, see that they come home right
side up with care. captain. and make
each of EN- say truly rural and Brit
ish Constitution before he goes to
bed. and if he can't, you Just unship
him. or whatever Won call il on a boat.
Understand, captain ?"
The captain understood and kept his
countenance.
Now. ! want to know one thing"
continued the new owner What's
the nearest sea port to Bayreuth. Ba-
varia?"
Venice" answered the captain
without the least hesitation, and so
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 at