Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-12-19
TALE OF THE BLOCKADE
g: RUNNER ::::::
HOW A GRIM CAPTAIN WAS BOUGHT
AT A PRICE.

AT A PRICE.

AT last ne apprOdcneQ Ine ldDle.
Rutherford felt instinctively that the
critical moment had come; here ae
must win his fight or lose it. He
braced himself in his chair, his lips
partly open, his tongue ready to voice
his argument.
"Mr. Rutherford" said the captain,
81 will accept your offer upon the fol-
lowing conditions. You are to bring
this money on board the ship and
make the trip with me; and 1 am not
to know the name of my port Of des-
tination until 1 ask for it. The Ban
shee sails tonight at 10 o'clock. /
mention this so that you may know
just how much time you have in
which to get the money on board"
AS he spoke the look Of exultation
upon Rutherford's face gradually
vanished. He reflected for moment
before he replied.
you name terms which fear my
superiors will never accept, Captain
Blondin," he said disappointedly. II
do not know absolutely that they will
refuse. Perhaps if you would have
an interview with them the affair
might be arranged"
"If you think that it will do any
good, shall be pleased to see them
here, sir. But remember, Mr.. Ruth
erford, the conditions which I name
cannot be changed"
Rutherford bowed and rose from
his chair. "I will go for them," he
said Il will have them here within
the hour"
He was as good as his word. One
of the two men who returned with
him was LIE Fevre, chief Of the Uni
ted States secret service bureau at
Liverpool; the other, Montague. his
most trusted subordinate. Captain
Blondin knew both of them, by sight.
He received them with quiet court
esy which became him we'll.
There was silence for a moment af-
ter the party had seated themselves.
LIE Fevre, a small dark man, with an
impressive face, was the first to break
it. ITO comply with your conditions
would be a deed BETTING the inmate
of a madhouse, Captain Blondin," he
said.
Il have my reasons, sir. With re-
gard to the money, 1 have pressing
and immediate need Of it and 1t will
not answer my purpose to return to
Liverpool to collect it. AS to the stip-
ulation, regarding the port Of desti-
nation, 1 enjoy the full confidence of
my employers and do not wish to vio-
late it by entering into a definite
agreement to deliver the Banshee at
any port, until such time as I may
feel free to act upon my own ac-
count.
Rather a nice distinction, Captain
Blondin," remarked LIE Fevre, with an
i'll concealed sneer.
Perhaps, sir, but 1 am privileged
to make it, if l so desire. There is
always the chance that circum-
stances may arise to prevent my
carrying out my part of the agree
ment. For instance, 1 may be en-
trusted with messages Of importance,
the delivery of which would be more
binding upon me than any agreement
which might make with you
I'm which case we would be out
| lust 100000" remarked LIE Fevre,
| dryly.
Not at all sir. If fail to deliver
the Banshee and her cargo at the
port designated by your agent your
money will be returned to you at Liv-
erpool. 1 do not wish to take money
that do not earn"
The faces of his listeners plainly
showed astonishment, mingled with
admiration. When LIE Fevre again
spoke his manner and tone had SEN
sibly altered.
You seem inclined to deal fairly
by us, Captain Blondin."
II am, sir. If 1 take the money al
all it must be in accordance with the
letter Of our agreement"
IF you will allow us the use Of your
cabin for a conference you may have
our answer at once. Before deciding
| finally 1 wish to consult with my as
sociates."
1T is entirely at your service, sir.
| There are none here to disturb your
councils" He threw open the doors
of the staterooms opening into the
cabin as he spoke, showing that they
were vacant. "a single tap upon that
gong at your elbow will call one who
will summon me when you again de-
sire my presence"
A long and earnest consultation
followed his departure from the cab
in. Experience had taught the three
secret service men wariness. There
was a division of opinion among
them. Montague stoutly holding out
for a refusal despite all the argu-
ments that LIE Fevre and Rutherford
could bring to bear upon him. II
was nearly an hour after the captain
had left them that the boy who did
the duty of the cabin approached him
as he stood idly upon the quarter
deck and informed him that they de-
sired to see him. He quietly descend
ed the cabin stairs and stood before
them awaiting their decision.
Il have decided to accept your
terms, Captain Blondin," said LIE
Fevre. Il will see that the money
| is sent on board after nightfall. II
will be sent off to the ship in a
lighter about nine o'clock in charge
of Mr. Rutherford, whom I have
selected TO accompany you"
At a few minutes before nine that
evening a large lighter in tow of q
putting tug drew up alongside Of the
Banshee. A bulky figure, heavily
shrouded in a greatcoat. clambered
clumsily up the ships side and pre-
sented itself before Captain Blondin
1t was Rutherford.
"I am here with the plunder, cap
tain," said Rutherford. "a hundred