The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-05-24
CHAPTER VI.
The Return Of Rowland.


IO months after the announce
6NI0, ment of the loss Of the Titan
)8f8ay Mr. Meyer sat at his desk In
the rooms busily writing when the
old gentleman who had bewailed the
death of his son in the intelligence Of
fee tottered IN and took a chair beside
him
Good morning. Mr.. Selfridge." he
said. scarcely looking mp IL suppose
you have come to see der insurance
paid over. der sixty days are up"
"Yes. yes. Mr.. Meyer" said the old
gentleman YEARLY "Of course Us
merely stmckhollcr | can take no
active part I:ut am Il member here
and naturally Il little anxious All !
had in the world even to my son and
grandchilh. was in the Titan"
1T is very sad. Mr.. Srlfridge. You
have my deepest sympathy. | believe
you are der largest holder Of Titan
stock. about tlm.WDO. is it not?"
"AbOut that"
II nm der hcayi lest insurer. So Mr..
Selfridye this battle will be largely
between you and myself"
Battle. Is there to 10 any diff
culty?" asked Mr. Srlfriigr anxiOusly.
',crhaps: | d" not know. Der I'M
derwriterS and outside companies have
vInn x,I in s.,t IVA, ~ ps nj
not hay until | take der Initiative. We
must hear from one John Rowland.
who, with a little child. was rescued
from der berg and taken I" Christian
sand lie has been too sick to leave
der ship which found him and Is com
Ing up der Thames in her this morn
Ing. have Il carriage ut der dock
and expect him at my office ny noon.
Dere Is where we will dransact this
little pizness. not here"
"a child saved" Quericd the old
gentleman. Dear me! 1t may be lit
tie Myra. She was not ut Gibraltar
with the others. would not care-l
would not care much about the money
II she was safe. But my son. my only
son. IL gone. and Mr.. Meyer l am u
ruined man II this insurance IL not
paid"
And am ruined man II 1t Is"
said Mr.. Meyer, rising. Twill you come
around to der office. Mr.. Selfridge?
expect der attorney and Captain Bryce
are dere now" MIR. Selfridge arose
and accompanied him to the street.
A rather meagerly furnished private
ONCE In Threadneedle street. partition.
ed OF from larger one bearing Mr.
Meyers name in the window. received
the two men. one Of whom. In the In.
terests Of good business. was soon to
be impoverished. They had not wait
ed a minute before Captain Bryce and
Mr.. Austen were announced and usher
ed In. Sleek. well fed and gentleman
~ In manner. perfect types Of the Brit
ish naval officer. they bowed politely
to Mr.. SelfridGe when Mr.. Meyer In
troduced them as the captain ard flrs,
o0hcer Of the Titan aud seated them
selves. A few moments later brought
. a shrewd looking person whom Mr.
Meyer addressed as the attorney 70,
the steamship company. but did no.
introduce. for such are the amenitie.
of the English system Of caste.
"Now. then. gentlemen" said Mr
Meyer. Il pelieve we can proceed {,
pizness up to certain point-berhap,
further. Mr.. Thompson. you have tn,
amdavit Of Captain Bryce
n have" said the attorney. produc
ing q document which Mr.. Meye
glanced at and handed back
"And In this statement. captain" h,
said. you have sworn that der voyag
was uneventful up to der moment o
der wreck-that Is" he added with a,
oily smile a. he noticed the raling o
the captains face. that nothing oc
CURED to make der Titan less Sea
worthy or manageabley'
THAT Is what swore TO-" said tn
captain with little sigh
"You are part owner. are you no,
Captain Bryce?"
II own ave shares Of the company'
stock"
Fl have examined der charter an,
der company lists" said Mr.. Meye,
Each boat Of der company is. so IA
q assessments and dividends are COT
cerned. separate company. an
You are listed as owning two siSty-set
onds Of der Titan stock. This make
you. under der law. part owner of dc
Titan and responsible as sueh~
what do you mean. sir. hy tina
word responsible" said CAPTAIN Rr,c
quickly.
For answer Mr.. Meyer elevated nj
black eyebrows. assumed an attitud
OF listening, looked AT bis watch .n,