Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-06-05
CONTRABAND
A Romance Of the North Atlantic
By RANDALL PARRISH

Claire There is no such man known in
that village"
and the leader. CASTOR dc Lys?"
I'VE find trace Of him only for few
months, Mr.. Hollis. Where he came from
and whittier he went are thus far unknown
CASTOR de Lys appeared in Placentia some
two months since, accompanied by one OF
the men who died with him in the schoon-
er's cdbin--the one dark -faced-lilSe an In
dian--and sought among the fishermen
there for a certin type Of boat
"Thcy were very particular, stating they
wished to leave for a voyage Of three
months, representing themselves merely as
travellers for pleasure who desired TO cruise
along the Labrador coast. At last they
leased the Rose Of Gaspe from "A man Of
wealth. Richard Martin, who had previously
used the schooner as a private yacht. II
was reftted and provisioned, and the crew
arrived from Halifax None of them was
known in PlaCentia, but tho inhabitants
say that only two or three among them had
the appearance Of sailors They put TO sea
seven weeks ago. Beyond that we know
absolutely nothing"
But tho chest Of coins? Have you no
knowledge as to where II came from?'
mo more than a mere guess there is no
| guide. Beyond doubt this CASTOR de Lys
learned Of its existence somewhere in La
brador, and planned its recovery. The
men with him also knew what It was they
| sailed to seek, In my Judgment this must
| be treasure Of the old HudsOu's Bay Com
| pany, lost and hidden a hundred years ago,
| yet we can get no trace Of such disap-
| pearanCc Of coin in the records. We cannot
deny It's existence; it is here now in our
| custody. hut who its rightful owner may
| be, will probably never be determined.
Then what will become of it?"
He smiled.
THAT Is rather fine question Of law !
should say that you men who recovered It
| at sea have the best claim. although it must
| he held intact for a certain length of time
| TO give any rightful claimant opportunity
to furnish proof of ownership. OF course
| I'm case no such claimant appears, the gov
| ernment takes its share"
And the amount contained in the chest?'
Exceeded seven hundred thousand dol.
lars"
rejoined Vera at the hotel. standing
| beside her in a window looking out upon
| the harbor Below us was the white schooner
in which we had ended our strange voyage
we are all free to go now, dear" / said
'"The examination is all over"
"ITave they found the owner Of the
money!"
NO; they have not even the slightest
! conception as to whom II originally
belonged, or where 1t came from. The law
compels them TO hold it intact for the
present"
For how long?"
1.-TWO years, think then the greater
proportion is given TO those who recovered
1.-THE State retaining a certain share"
Her eyes met mine,
Il wonder If you know where my shar,
will go. If 7 ever receive it?" she asked
softly.
II think | do, and mine will be added tc
ito the mother and sister Of Philip Bas
| com"
yes and-and we may never know VIII,
these men were, or the story of theii
quest?"
Most likely not; 1t will remain a secre
of the sea. who was CASTOR de Lys? Wher
and how did he learn of this hidden treas
ure? From where in the Seven Seas did h,
gather together the men who went witt
him To what strange coast did the peaceful
Rose Of Gaspe sail? What motives OF hate
or cupidity, led TO the murderous crime o
Gustave Montain? and how much of th
truth did Liverpool Red know? Dad he lived
could he have lifted the veil?"
She was silent a long while, her hant
casped in mine; then she lifted her face
and smiled.
Tit has been full of hardship, Of sor
row, yet Robert ! love the sea-"
"And I, sweetheart" | answered earnest
ly, for out Of its mystery into my hear
has come the one woman"
THE END
The third instaIment Of "The Grizzly King
will be found on Page Of this issue.