American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1921-12-09
CHAPTER XIX.
Twlxt Cup and LIP.

Next morning an event occurred
sufficiently astonishing to divert u
thoughts from even the all-important
topic of the Island Queen. Cookie,
who had been on the high land of the
point gathering firewood, came rush.
ing back to announce that a steamer
had appeared In the ofiing. All the
party dropped their occupations and
ran to look. That the Rufus Smith
had returned at an unexpectedly
early date was of course the natural
explanation OF the appearance OF a
vessel In these lonely seas. But
through the glass the new arrival
turned out to be not the tubby freight
err, but a stranger OF clenn-cut, raklsh
build, lying low In the water and de-
signed for speed rather than carrying
capacity.
A mile ofrshore she lay 10, aud a
boat left her side. Wondering and dis.
Quieted, we returned 10 the beach TO
await her coming. Was II another pi-
rate7 What possible errand could
bring a steamer TO this remote, unyls-
tied, all but forgotten little Islandf
AS the oarsmen drove the boat upon
the beach the man In the stern sprang
agilely ashore. Dugnld Shaw stepped
forward, and the stranger approached,
dofing his helmet c0urteously.
"YOu are the American and English
party who landed here some weeks
ago from the Rufus Smith,"
Ills English vas easy and correct,
though spoken with a pronounced
Spanish accent. His dark hlgh=fea'
tured face was the face Of "A Spnnlard.
And his grace was the grace OF a
Spnniard, as he bowed sweepingly and
handed Mr.. Shaw a card.
"Senor Don Enrique Gonzales" said
Dugald. bowling In his stifr-necked
fashion, II nm happy to see you. But
ms you represent his excellency the
president OF the republic Of Santa
Marina | suppose you come on bust
ness, Senior Gonzalesf"
Precisely. am enchanted that
you apprehend the fact without tbs
tiresomeness OF explanations. FoI
business Is a cold, usually a disagree
able AFFAIR. Is 1t not sof That beinl
the case. let Us get II over"
"Flrst do us the honor TO be seated
Senior Gonzales"
Comfortably bestowed In n camp
chair in the shade. the Spaniard re
sumed:
my friend, this island belongs, o.
Of course you are awnre, 10 the re
uuhII, az ..,htch n hava tha honor "a "a.
a cklzen. All rights and privileges
such as harvesting the copra crop, ar
strictly conserved by the republic. Al
persons desiring such are required I
negotiate with the minister Of state o
the republic. And how much more
when IL is u question OF treHsure-O
a very large treasure. senorT"
The ScOtchman's face was dark.
q" had understood" he replied
without looking In the direction 0
Miss Higgiesby-Browne, who SCENE
IN the last few moments 10 have III
derg0ne some mysterious shrinkin
process. that negotiations In III
/ proper quarter had beer undertake
and brought to q successful cOnclusi0
that IN short we were here with III
express permission Of the goyernmei
OF Santa Marina"
' This was q challenge which Mi
Browne could not but meet.
j Il had.7 sine SAID hoarseIy. II ma
the assurance OF IA person high
r the financial circles Of the Unite
g States, that through his-bis innuen'
with the government Of Santa Marin
Il would not be necessary-iD shor
! that he could FIX the PRESIDENT er
ploy his term-for a c%onslderab
u sum, which (which my friend Nj
g Harding ave him."
And the name Of this iniuenti
q personT' inquired the Santa Marina
suayely.
: Hamilton II. Tubbs." eroaked hi
Browne.