The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-09-01

L e0%@eV anu IL We S<sts
come to some understanding l be-
gin work at once. Ny yacht can
hang on through gale of wind
and with our outfit wo can get
something .'.le in pretty bad
weather. Y,u have small sail
ing boat and poor, chsii gear. AS
soon as a ar. ere get, up you'll
have to quit"
II imagine you haven't yet
mentioned all your advantages
over u.s." Bethune suggested.
Clay looked at him keenly and
then smiled. That's so. I'm
trying to be polite"
In fact, you're keeping your
strongest arguments in reserve.
Unless we agree to your PROPOSE
ton, there's not much chance of
our recovering anything from the
wreck"
you're pretty near the mark, "
Clay answered, smiling confident
ly.
"The odds seemed against us.
Perhaps I'd better be candid. The
truth is, we have already recov-
cred something of Importance.
Clay's expression became in
tent.
What have you got?"
Bethune took out his notebook.
ITO begin with, two bags of
gold; the weight and marks, so
far as we could make the latter
out"
"Shucks!" interrupted Clay.
They don't count. You can keep
your share of their salvage. Come
to the point"
zone iron-clamped. sealed case.
The stencil marks, although part
ly 6bliterated, appear to be ID. o.
C. in a circle. Contents'-Be-
thune paused and looked steadily
at Clay--"I dare say you know
what these are?"
do your" Clay asked sharply.
1--WE opened the case"
There was silence for a few
moments and all were very still.
Clay's voice was not so steady
when he spoke again.
where is the case?"
mot here" said Bethune dryly.
IF we don't turn up to claim it
within a fixed time, or IL any at
tempt is made to obtain possession
of 1t in our absence 1t will be
handed to the underwriters"
"You seem to have taken pre-
cautions" Clay remarked.
eve did the best we could"
Bethune admitted with a modest
air.
imagining that you might sell
the box to me?"
mol" Jimmy interposed stern
ly. THAT was not our plan. When
my partner let you make an offer
for the wreck"
Clay stopped him with a ges-
ture.
ut was to lead me on--you
needn't explain. Very well. Now
I'll tell you something you don't
suspect. There's a duplicate case
of that box on board and 1t con-
tains the gold"
Jimmy started, Moran gazed at
Clay with knitted brows, and Be-
thune looked frankly puzzled.
Clay seemed quietly amused at
their surprise.
"You don't understand" he
said. After all, there's no rea-
son why you should do SO; but the
truth of my statement is easily
tested. What are you going to do
with the gold you get?"
Deliver 1t to the underwriters
and claim salvage" said Jimmy
promptly.
That's all? You have no other
plans?"
That is ALL"
Then I'll exchange the case
which holds the gold for the one
you have. You can't recover ii
without my help"
For time no one spoke. The
three partners looked at one an
other in perplexed indecision.
while Clay would obviously not
supply It. They did not know
what to think.
do you know where to find
this case?" Bethune asked.
Il believe so. / suggest that
one of you come down to help me.
Mr.. Farquhar for preference.
Then you think of going
down." Jimmy exclaimed.
81 am going down the first
thing. tomorrow, whether you
come or not. But what about my
offer?"
I'VE can't answer yet" said
Bethune. ut needs some thought
Very WE'LL" Clay agreed. For
all that, / must make a start in
the morning. If you prefer. we
can lei, the matter stand over until
we find the case" He paused and
smiled at Jimmy. You don't look
nervous man and you needn't
hesitate. I've never put on div
ing dress and you have had some
experience; and I'm willing to use
your boat and let your friends
control the pumps"
"Pm not afraid" retorted Jim
my. 1.-THE difficulty is that the
way into the strong room is not
yet open. 1t will take at least a
day to remove the sand that has
banked up against the opening"
Then l suppose l must wait.
but I'll send my diver across to
help you at daybreak." said Clay.
L.. l.