Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-03-19

H""' so
THE SECRETARY INsRRTED THE CLAW Dt
TWEEN LOCK AND CATCH.
I shall die unknown. unloved. forgot
ten. Good night"
Mr.. Donovan alone remained In nor
NAL state Of mind. Twas all faradid
die. this talk Of finding treasures. The
old Frenchman had been only hall
baked. He dumped bis tools into bis
bag and with the wisdom Of his kind
departed. There would be another jot
tomorrow. putting the bricks back.
The others. however. were for the
time but children. and like children
they all talked at once. and there was
laughter and humping Of fists and
clapping of hands. The admiral bad
q new plan every FIVE minutes. BE
would do. this or be would do that
md Fitzgerald would shake bis head
Or Breitmann would point out the un'
feasibility Of the plan. Above all, be
urged. there must be no publicity
with a fash toward Fitzgerald). The
world must know nothing till the
treasure was In their hands Other
wise there would surely be piracy on
the high seas. Two million francs was
q prize. even in these days. There
were plenty of men and plenty OF
tramp ships. Even when they found
the gold secrecy would be best. There
might be some difficulty with France.
Close lips. then. till they returned to
America. After that Mr. Fitzgerald
would become famous as the teller OF
the exploit.
II confess that for all my excite
ment." said Fitzgerald. II am some
what skeptical. Still. your sugges
ton, Mr. Breitmann. Is good.
do you mean to say you doubt the
existence Of the treasurer" cried the
admiral. something impatient.
"Oh. no doubt 1t once existed But
seventy-Gve or eighty years! There
were others besides this refugee
Frenchman. Who knows into what
hands similar documents may have
fallenY"
And the unknown man who worked
in The chimney" put in the girl quietly
THAT simply proves what say
He knows that this treasure once ex
listed. but not where. Now. II Is per
fectly logical that some other man
years ago might have discovered the
same key as We have. He may nave
20, away with it. The man might
have plausibly declared that he had
made the money somewhere. The
sum is not so large as to create any
wide comment"
"Ah. my boy. your father had more
enthusiasm than that" The admiral
looked reproachful.
"My dear admiral"-and Fitzgerald
laughed In that light hearted way OF
his-"l would 60 into the heart OF
China on a treasure hunt for the mere
fun Of it. Enthusiasm! Nothing
would crafty me more than to strike
a shovel into the spot where this
treasure-this pot of gold-is supposed
to lie. It will be great sport; nothing
like It. ! was merely supposing. !
have never beard Of or come into COD
tact with a man who has found hid
den treasure. l am putting up these
doubts because we are never sure OF
anything. Why. Mr.. Breitmann
knows. Isn't 1t more fun to hnd
dollar In an old suit Of clothes than to
know you have ten in the suit you are
wearing? It's not how much, It's the
finding that gives the pleasure"
.That is true" echoed Breitmann
generously. He fingered the papers
with q touch that was almost caress.
"A pity that you will 60 to the arctic
instead"
81 am not quite sure that I shall
CO." replied Fitzgerald. That this
man had deliberately Lied to him rem
dered him indecisive. For the pres
ent he could not do or say anything
but he had a great desire to be on
hand to watch.
"You are not your fathers son II you
refuse to 20 with U.s." And the aomil'
al sent home this charge with nst
against palm.
.'Pieces of eight! Pieces Of eight"
parroted the girl drolly. You will 60.
Mr.. Fitzgerald"
"po you really want me tor cleveriy
putting the decision with her.
"Yes." There was no coquetry IN
voice or eyes.
"When do you expect to got" Eitz'
gerald put this question to the admiral
"As soon as we can coal up and pro-
vision"
But crossing In the yacht" hesitat.
ed Fitzgerald. BE wished to SOUND
this man Breitmann. II hs suggested
obstacles and difficulties It would DC
a confirmation Of the telegram and
his own singular doubts.
ut is likely to be q rough passage.
said Breitmann experimentally.
HE doesn't want me to 60" Biu'
gerald stroked his chin slyH.
I'VE have crossed the Atlantic twice
In the yacht" Laura anarmed with
a bit of pride-"once In March too.
and heavy sea half the way"
ENTER me as cabin. boy or super
cargo" said Fitzgerald. III you don't
you'll find stowaway before two days
out"
.That's the spirit" The admiral
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