Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-05-30

inc rooms busily writing when the
Oh gentleman who had bewalled the
death OF his son in the intelligence or
lice tottered In and took chair beside
him.
Good morning, Mr. Selfrdge.' he
SAID, scarcely looking up. 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 as
merely stOckhoder l can take no
active part. But | am member here
and naturally Il little anxious. All
had In the world. even to my son and
grandchlld, was In the Titan.'
ut Is very sad, Mr.. Selfridee. You
nave my deepest sympathy. ] pelieve
YOU are der largest holder Of Titan
stock. about 100000. is 1t not?"
About that"
II am der heaviest insurer. So Mr.
Sclfrldge this battle will be largely
between you and myself
Battle. Is there to be any diff.
culty!" asked Mr. Selfridge anxously.
"Berhaps. do not know. Der I'm.
derwriters and outside companies have
placed matters in my hands and will
not bay until take der initiative We
must hear from one John Rowland.
who. with n little child, was rescued
from der berg and taken to Christian
sand. He has been too sick to leave
der ship which found him and IS com.
Ing up der Thames IN her this morn.
ing. have a carriage at der dock
and expect him at my office ny noon.
Dcre Is whore we will dransact this
little pizness. not horc'
"A child saved" qucred the old
gentleman. Dear me. 1t may be lit.
tie Myra. She was not at Gibraltar
with the others. ! would not care-1
would not care much about the money
If she was safe. But my son. my only
son. is gone, and Mr.. Meyer l am a
ruined man if this insurance is not
| paid"
And I am a ruined man If 1t is"
said Mr.. Meyer rising. "Will you come
around TO der office, Mr.. Selfridge? |
expect der attorney and Captain Bryce
J.
and accompanied him to the street.
A rather mea gerly furnished private
/ Office in Threadneedle street, partition.
ed off from a 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
he impoverished. They had not wait
/ .,,,,,
/ Mr.. Austen were announced and usher
/ ed in. Sleek well fed and gentleman
ly in manner. perfect types Of the Brit.
ish naval officer, they bowed politely
| to Mr.. SclfridCe when Mr.. Meyer In.
PRODUCED them as the captain and first
selves. A few moments later brought
a shrewd looking person whom Mr..
Meyer addressed as the attorney for
the steamship company. but did not
introduce, for such are the amenities
of the English system Of caste
Now, then. gentlemen" said Mr..
Meyer. II pelieve we can proceed to
| pzness III to n certain point-berhaps
further. MI Thompson, you have the
affidavit Of Captain Bryce
II have" said the attorney produc
ing a document which Mr. Meyer
glanced at and handed back.
And in this statement captair," he
said. YOU have sworn that der voyage
was unevcntful up to der moment Of
| der wreck that is" he added with an
oily smile as he noticed the paling Of
the captains face. that nothing oc-
Cured to make der Titan less sea.
worthy or manageablc:'
"riat Is what swore to-" said the
captain with little sigh.
You are part owner. are you not,
Captain Bryce"
Il own five shares Of the company'S
stock"
II have examined der charter and
der company lists" said Mr.. Meyer.
Each boat Of der company is. so far
os assessments and dix idcf.ds are &C
cerned, Il separate company. ! find
you are listed as owning two sixty sec
onds of der Titan stock This makes
you. under der law. part owner Of der
Titan and responsible AS such"
What DO you mean. sir, by that
word responsiblei" said Captain Bryce
quickly.
For answer Mr.. Meyer elevated h.s
black eyebrows, assumed an attitude
Of listening, looked at his watch and
went 70 the door. which rs he opened
admitted the sound of carriage wheels
I'm here be called ID his clerks. then
faced the captain.
What do mean. Captain Brycc?"
he Numbered Il mean that YOU have
concealed in your swor1 statement all
reference 10 der fact that you collided
with and auak ,hc ship Royal Age on
der night before the wreck of Your own
'hip,
"Who says so? How DO you know
~" clustered the captain. You have
,cly that bulletin statement OF the mnn
Rowland, an irresponsible drunkard.
THE man was lifted aboard drunk Mt
New York" broke In the first officer,
and remained In condition OF dellri-
UNI tremens UP TO the sh.pwreck. We
lid not meet the Royal Age and are In
no way responsible for her loss
Yes" added Captain Bryce, and
man In TINT condition Is liable to see
anything We listened to his rawlings
on the night Of the wreck. He vss Oh
lookout-on the briIgs. Mr., Austen.
tho boatsw'n. and myself were close to
hinl,"
Before Mr. Movers oily smile had in