Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (July 10, 1897)
THE OMAHA DAILY HE 1C : . "SATURDAY , JULY 10 , 18)7. ? ) THE STRIPED CHEST. _ JJL ? lly CONAN DOYI.H. " * .A . , A * A * A * < * * * * , * , * * * , * , * * * , * * * * * " f < . [ \rlc't 1'i7 Iv f'i nun 1'o > IO "Whit do jou make of her , Allardyce. " I j | My c-com' mate wag standing hesldc mo Upon the poor , with his whorl , thick ICRS nstrotih , for the Rale hail left a considerable nwpll hchlml It , nml our two mmrterboatu iip.irly touched the water with every roll. HP s ten ill ml his films aR.ilnst the tnleicn e > hrouds nml he looked IOIIR and hard at this disconsolate BtranRer every lime the camp reelliiK up on to the crest of u roller nini IIUIIR balanced for a few tucond8 before ewonpliiR il-jvvn upon the other side. She lay BO Inv In the water that I could only catch an orraslnnal Rllmpso of a pea-green line of bulwark. She was n brlt ; , but her main mast had been snapped short off BOIIIO ten fet above theilcck and no effort seemed to hive hton mailo to cut away the wreck- ARC , whlrh tloatcd , HaIN and jnrds , like the tiiukc'i wlHK of a wounded gull , upon the water beside her. Thr ton-maul was Htlll un I the iicailsnllH were BtrcamliiR out I" 1'K ' * 'ti pennons In front of her. Never have 1 KM n n vessel which appeared to huvi- Rene Ih.miRh roiiRlu-r liainlllnK. Hut > poulil not bo surprlted nt thai for the.i had bie-ii times ilurlnK ( I.e laht threw .vlielher our iii ) when It vvmi n ipifitlnn nnti hulk would ever seeInml iiR.iln I-iir tint v six hnnrs wo had kept her none to It , am if tinMaiy Sim-lair had not liceti as f , ml a siaboat us ever Irft the Cljde we . , tuul.l not have miniIhiniiRh Ami jet hen. M v , , io lit Hie- mil ot it vvlih the loss only \4 \ , t , , , u RR | and u part ot the starboard tnil- 1 % Vllrl ( It did H"t iiftonlKh us. h wi v.i. vvlu-n | > tieMi.othet . bad I'liMU'd a a > ' ( l l' ' " ! II ouu.3 had been li HB lucky ilml Mi-it this l' | nn , lUtod br.H. .tiiPfieilliB " ' " "I"1 * cloniHe-i ky.I ail h * bunea iiml t" i-r " f after a I Kbt- bllndeU nmn 1-n left. like IIIIK , Hash , to tc-II ot tbo tciroi wUUh U | ) metl'udiitU who was a alow ind Pi.-ii'iinan . ' , sarul : loiiR and hard at the lime beamen lined the liulvvaik cni't while our mirimils to have the fore or ilimteieil ii | > n .10 ile- . In latitude a vliw of the MianRcr. MHI. ami lotiRltnde 10 deRrecH. whli-li were jihoutourhiarliiRS , one becomes a little cm - . meets , for one has left on. ( m to whom one tin- main lined of Atlantic i-omnicrce to tin- ' we had bec-n talliiiK dajs i tinrlli l-'or tin j < > \l > r a solitary HM. . | "Pint's dertllit , I'm thliiKlliB. salil the J cci end mate. , , , , 2 1 had I'oimto HIP name conclusion , for \ cmilil ie no > lRh nf life upon her deck and tb. n > WCH no answer to the friendly wavliiRS fiom our M'aincn. Her crew bad probably iluM-rtcil hei imdBi the ImptiKslon thai the watt about to fonndpr. "She can t Inut ImiK. " continued Allanl > cr. lu his ineaMUPd way. "She ma > put lier n.i-i her Kill any " ' " ' " ' U"1 uml up ilnwn ; . . . . , ' ot nnr ran. to the cdRi' waii r IIPI/IIIK l > * \\hat . her H.IK' " 1 afikeil. "tin tr > ltiB to maliu out. It pot n twmii.l ami taiiplnl with the hallaidi. Yes , ] ve ROI it now. ili-ar thiough. H'a the brii- Xllian flan , but It's WIOIIB bide up. " li -'li i hud bolsti'd a signal of distreiis , then , ' ? , ii , ion her iieuple bad abandoned bi > r. I'or- han | thej hail only Jiifet KOIIP 1 look the iiiate'h Rlats and livoked round over the tn- imiltuom. faceof the deep blue Atlantic , htlll veined and Mailed with while lines and hiioutiiiR.s of foam Hut novvlieie could 1 tee unjihliiR human bcjond ourselvch. ' "llic'ie maj be livliiK men aboard , " said I. " " muttered the second "Thi'ie may be t-alvaRU , i end mate. "Then wo will run down upon her Ice Bide and Ile lo. " \Ve were not more than 100 yard" from lj her when weriwmiR our foiejard aback , and ' * ' tbpro wo weio , the bark and the brlK , ducK- IIIR ami bowiiiR like two clown * . In u dance. " ) op one of the quarter boats , " said I. "Take four men , Mr. Ailaidyce , and see what you can lenrn of her " Hut Jiibl at tn.it moment my first olllccr , Mr ArniHtronR , came on deck , for PVPII bells bait htruck and It was but a few mlnutiM off his watch. It would Interest me to RO my- pi-lf to this abandoned vibiel and to see what there mlRht be aboard of her. So , with a word to AimstioiiR , 1 swuiiR myePlf over the side , fclllipcil down the fallc and took my placci In tin Khc'Clh of the boat. It was but a little dUtnncc , but It took mine time to tiaverse and so heavy was the roll that often when wo wen ? In the troiiRh of tbo seas wo could not tee either the balk which we had left nor the brlR which we were apprcuchlUK. Thr binkliiR Min did not penetrate down there , unit It was cold and s dark in the hollows , of the waves , but each ii' paMliiR billow heaved us > up ' "to the wainitli f and the biiiiblilne once more. At each nf H tluso mnmentn lib we IIUUR upon a wliltp- ' cupped ridRe between the two dark v.illejg , I caiiRlil a Rlimp.sp of the IOIIR pea-Rrepn line uml the noddiiiR foremast of the bilR , and I hteercd to as to come round by her s > tern , -o that wemlRht determine wblih watt the bent way of boarding her. As we passed hei we saw the name Nos'-a Sehnoia da Victoria printed aircr-s lu-i dilppliiR counter. "The weather bide , Kir , " hiild the second mute "Stand by with the boathook , car- j'i liter' ' " An Instant later we bad Jumped over the bulwarK'n. which were hardly hlRlier than our boat , and found our.selviB upon the link of thP abandoned vest-el. Our Iliht thouRht wan to provide for our own safety in ca e as hfemed very prob- nblc- the vis-sil should settle down boncatli our feet. With this object two of our men held on to the pal'iter of the boat and fended her off from the vessel's nido , ho that she mlRht be leadj In cusp wo bad to make a hurried relnat Tin- carpenter was bent to Ilml how mueli wnlir tbne WIIH. nnd vvhetlier It was Mill RiilnlnR while tbo other heamaii. Allaidycp and injueir made a rapid itibpec- tlon of the vessel and her carpo. The deck was littered with vvrockaKC and with heni'tiops. In which the dead birds were was'ihiK 'iboul The boats were Rime , with the exception of one , the bottom of whlrh had hem stove , nnd ll was certain that the crew had abandoned the vesoel The cabin was In a ileeUhoiiMi , one side of which hail been beaten In by a heavy hea Allaidjci- and 1 entered It. and found the captain's table us he had left It , ! IK ! books and papcm all Fpanlhh or 1'orttiRtiCho scattered over It. with lilies of clRaiette ash everywhere. I looked about for the IOR , but could not find It "As likely as not he never kept one , " Mhl' Allardjce "ThliiRS nro pretty slack nboard a South American tiader , and thfy don't do more than they c-in help. If tbero was ono It iniiat liavo btcn taken nway with him In the bent. " "f thoulil like to tnko all these books and papers. " fald I "Ahk the cirpcnter how1 much tlmo wo have. " His riport was reat-surliiR. The vessel was full of water but mine of the carRn was buojant , and there was no Immedl'iie ilaiiRer of her elnkliiK I'lttbablj bbe would never clnk , but would dilft about as ono of thrso teirlble tinnnrkod reefs which have suit H ) miinj fclout vrasels to the bottom. "In that case therr U no daiiRcr in jour RcinR below. Mr. Allardyco , " n.ilil I. "Soo what jou can make ot her , and Ilml out how much of her rarRo can bo eaved. I'll look through theto papers while jou aio gnne. " Tim bllle of IndlnR jind snmo nolfn and litters which lay upon the dc&k btilllced to Inform me thai ( ho llrazillan brig Nnsta Pilmoru ila Victoria had cleareil from Hahla n month before The name of the captain was Tcxclra. but ( hero was no ree- 01 d us to the numlier of the crew. She wat , bound fur Ixnidon , tind a Rlanco at the lllls of ladtiiR was sutllclent to Fhovv mo that we > were not likely to profit much In the vvnj of salvaRO. Her carRo consisted of liuis. RliiRer rnd wood , the latt r In tie shap of Rieat IORS of valuable tropical Rrowihs It wan tluse , no doubt , which had prevented the Ill-futcil veiviel from ROiiiR to the bottom , lint tliev were of Hiich a size iu to make It iniposHlblf for us to extract them Hebldcb thcKu there were a few fancy Roods , such as u number of ornamental birds for mllllnerj purposes and 100 cases of preserved fruits. And then aa I turned over the papers I came upon a nlmrt note 111 KnglUh which arrested mj attention. "It U rciiui'bted. " said the note , "that llu > various old Spanish and Indian curionltliH which came out of the Santamu collection , and whlih arc conslRnod to I'rontfoot & KCUIIIHII nf Oxford ctrect. lx > ndon , bhould be tmt In tome place whc're there may be no danger of ttuio viry valuable aud unique attlrlrs belnR Injiitrl or taii'ppnd with This applies most particularly to the trins- uri i lust of Don Itamlrrx. ill I.evra , which mimt on no account be placed where any one can L' t at It " The treasure ehist of Don H.imltcz ! fnlipic and valuable artlolis ! Here was a chance of iilvnRc after nil' I had risen to tnj feet with the paper In my hand when my Scotch mate appeared In the doorway. "I'm tblnklnR all Isn't ciiltc | as It Mi on Id be aboard of thin ship , Mr , " Mid he. He was a hard-faced man , and jet I could see. thai he had been startled , "What's the matter ? " "Murder's the matter , Mr. There's a man here with hU lirnlns beaten out. " "Killed In the tlorm , " said I. "Maybt o , sir. Hut I'll be surprised If joii think so after > ou have seen him. " Where IK lie , then ? " "This way , sir here In the main deck house. " There appeared to have been no accommo dation below the brig , for thele w.ic > the after house for the captain , another by the main hatchway with the cook's Rallij attached to It , mill a third In the forerastlo for the men. II was to this middle one that the mate led me. AH j > iu entered , the K.I I Icy with Its litter of tumbled pots and dlsluti was upon the rlRht .and upon the left was a small loom wllh two bunks for the olllcers. Then beout ] was a place about twelve feet square , \vlileh W.M Uttered with llais and spare canvas AH totind the walls , were a Lumber of packets dullil Up in eoaisc cloth and caiefnlly la. hed to I lie woodwork. At the other end waa a Rreat box. striped red and white IliotiRh the red was so failed and the white sr > dhlj that It was enl > where the liRbt fill dlreetl > upon It that one could see the cidoriiiR. The bos : was by subsequent meastuement four feet "I'LL DRIVE TIIH LOCK HACK U' YOU WILL nOTII STAXD I5Y. " three Inches In IciiKtti , three feet two inches [ In heiRht and three feet acrecs considerably largei than a seaman'h chest. Hut it was not to the lo\ that my ejes or mv thoughts were turned as I cnteied the Ktorcrtoom. On the lloor , IjiiiK across the litter of bunting , there was Mictched a small , dark man , with a short , cuilliiK beard. He- lay as far as It was possible from the box with bis feet toward it and bis bead away. A round crimson halo was printed upon the while canvas on which bis head was tCbtlng , and little red ribbons wreathed themselves round his swarthy neck ami trailed away on to the lloor , but there was no SRII ! of a wound that I could see , ami his face was as placid as that of a sleeping child It was only when I stopped that I could perceive his injuij. and then 1 turned away with an exclamation of horror. He had been polcaxed apparently by some person standing behind him. A frightful blow had smashed In the top of his head and penecrated deeply Into hih brain. Ills face might well be placid , for death must have been absolutely Instantan eous , and the position of the wound showed that ho could never have teen the person who had Inflicted it. "Is that foul play or accident , Captain liar- clay ? " asked my second mate ilemurclj. "You are quite light , Mr. Allardyce. " 'Hie m in has been murdered struck down from above by a sharp and heavy weapon. Hut who was he , and why did they murder him ? " "Ho was n common sailor , sir , " said the mate. "You can ee. that If vou look at his lingers. " He turned out his packets as he spoke and brought to light a pack of cards , some tarred string and a bundle of Dnullian tobacco. , "Hullo look at this ! " said he It wasn large open knife with a .stiff spring blade vvhU'h he had picked up from the Hour. The xtcel was shining and bright , so that we could not associate it with the crime , ami > et the dead man bad apparently held It in ills hand when he was struck down , fet It still l.i > within blt > grasp. "It looks to me , Mr , ns If he knewhe was In danger , and kept bin knife hand ) , " taiil the mate "However , we can't help the poor beggar now. I can't make these things out that are lashed to the wall. They seem to bo idol'i and weapons and curios ot all sorts done up In old sacking" "That's right , " paid 1. "They arc the only things of value that we are likely to get from the cargo. Hall the bark and tell them to send the other ojjartcr boat to help us tn get the stuff aboard " While ho was nway I examined this curious plunder which had come Into our ptv.iti t-Urn. The curiosities were so wrapped up thit I roiild only form a general Idea as to their nalure , but the stilped box stood In n good light where I could thoroughly examine It. On the lid , which was clamped and eoi- nered with metal work , theie was engraved a complex coat of arms and beneath It was u line of Spun lib vvbb.li I was able to de cipher as meaning "The treasure chest of Don Rumlrei ill Ix-yra , knight of the order of tit. James , governor and captain general of Term Flima and of the province of Vern- iiias. | " In one turner was the date 1GOC and on the other a large white label upon | which was written In Kngltsh. "You are i e-anutitlj nquested upon no account to open I this box. " The name watnlng was repeated , undunrath In SpanUh. As to the lock , It I was a very complex and heavy one of en graved steel with a Latin motto , which was above a seaman's comprehension. Ilv the time I had tlnl < * hed this exami nation of the peculiar box the other quarter boat with Mr. Armstrong , the ilrst ollker , hail come alongside , and we began to carry out and place In her the various curiosities which appeared to be the only objects woith ipoving from the derelict ship. When she was full 1 sent her back tn the bark , and then AHanhcc and I , with the caipenter , and one seaman , carried the striped bo\ I which was the only thing left , to our boat I and lowered It over , balancing It upon the I two middle thwarts , for It was so heavy that It would have given the boat a dungerouu tilt had we plated It at either | end As to the dead man , we left him where we had found him. The nute had I a theory that at the moment of the de- , sertlon of the ship this fellow had started < plundering , and that the captain , In an attempt to preserve discipline , had struck 1 him down with a hatchet or some other heavy weapon It seemed more probable than itn > other explanation and > et ll l did not entirely satisfy me , eltber. Hut the i ocean Is full of mjsterles , and wo were con- 1 tent to have the fate of the dead teaman of the llrazillan brig to be added to that lonir list which every Bailer can recall. The hravv box was slung up by ropes on to the dftk of the Mery Sinclair , and was carried by four seamen Into the cabin where between the table and the after leckers. tin re was just space for It ta stan I There U remained during supper , and after that meal the mates remained with me cud discussed over a glass of grog the event of the day Mr. Armstrong was a lone , thin , vulture-liko man. en excellent ea > uun. but fumou * tor hU nearness ana cu pidity. Our treasure trove hd excited him greatly , and already he had begun with glistening cjen , to reckon up how much It njJKht be worth to each of us when the shartu of the salvage came to be divided. 'If ( he paper eald that they were unique , Captain Ilnrclay , then they nmy be worth anv thing ( hit yoc may like to name. You woubln t believe the films that the rich collectors give. A thousand pounds Is noth ing to them. We'll have nomethliif ; to show for our vojage. or I'm mistaken " " 1 don't think that , " Mid I. "As far as I can see they are not \ery different from any other South American curlre. " "Well , sir , I've traded there for fourteen xojngcs , and I have never seen anything like thil client before. That's worth a pile of money just as It stands Hut It's so heavy that Mirely there must be something valuable Imlilp of It Don't vou think that we ought to open It and fee' " "If jou break It open jou will spoil U as likely SB not , " paid the second mate. Armstrong squatted down In front of It , with his bead on one side and bin long , thin no e within a few Inchis of the lock. "The wood Is oak , " said he , "and It has shrunk n little with age. If 1 had a chl el or a htrong-bladed knife 1 could force the lock back without doing any damage at all. " The mention of a ftrmig-bladed knife made mo think ot the dead tcntum upon the brig. " 1 wonder If he could have been on the Job when some one came to Interfeie with him. " said I. "I don't know- about that , sir , but 1 am perfectly certain that I could open the box. Thcre'M a hctewdrlver here In the locker Ju t hold the lamp , Allardjce , and I'll have It done In n brace of nbake " "Wai a hit , " said I , for alriady , with e > p t which gleamed with cnrio lty and with avarice , he was stixiplng over the lid ' I don't see that there IH any huriy over this matter. You've teatl that card which warns us not to open It It may mean any thing or It may mean nothing , but some how 1 fcil inclined to obey It. After all whatever U In It will K ep and If II la valu able It will be worth as much If It Is opened In the owner's oltices as In the cabin of the Maiy Sinclair. " The Hint ollicer seemed bitterly dlsap pointed at my decision. "Surely , sir. jou are not superstitious about It , " said be , with a slight sneer upon his thin lips. "If It gets out of our own hands and we don't see for ourselves whii' Is Inside it we may be done out of oui rights , bc'ldce " "That's enough , Mr. Armstrong , " Fjid I. abruptly. "You may have cverj' confidence that yon will get your rights , but I will not have that box opened tonight. " "Why , the label Itself shows that the box hns been examined by lluropeant , , " Allardycc added. "Ilecau c a box Is a treasure box is no reason that it has treasurcH Inelde It now. A good many folk have had a peep Into It ince the da.vs of the o'.d governor of Ten a Klrma , " Armstrong threw the screwdriver down upon the table and shrugged his shoulders. "Just OH you like , " said he , but for the rest of the evening , although we spoke upon manj- subjects , I noticed that hit > cyrn were continually coming round with tin Fame expression of curlcblty and greed to the old striped box. And now I come to that portion of mystery story which l\\\s \ \ \ me even now with a shud dering horror when I think of It. The main cabin bal the looms of the olllccrs round It , but mine was the furthest away from It at the end of the little passage which led lo the companion. No regular watch was kept bj" mo , except in cases of emergency , and the three mat as divided them among them. Aini'-trong had the middle watch , which ends at 4 In the mornli'g , and he vvis relieved by Allardjce. For my part I have alwcij's been one of the roundest of sleepers and it Is rare for anything less than a hand uiKii my shoulder to atouse me. And jet I was aroused that night , or rather In the early gray of the morning. It was Jiiht 4-30 by my chronometer when something caused me to sit up In my berth wide awake , and with every nerve tingling. It was a sound ot some sort , a Clash with a human cry at the end of It , which still Jarred upon my ears. I sat listening but all waa now silent. And jet It could not have been Imagination , that hideous cry , for tint echo of it still rang In my bead , and it seemed to have come from some place quite close to me. I sprang from my bunk and pulling on porno clothes , I made my waj into the cihln. At first I saw nothing unusual there In the cold gray light I made out the red-clothed table , tbo six lolatlng chairs , the walnut lockers , the swinging barometer anil there at the end the big striped chest. I WHS turn ing awaj with the Intention of going upon deck and asking the second mate if he had hcanl anything when my eves fell suddenly upon something which projected from under the table It was the leg of a nmn , a leu with a long sea boot upon It. I stooped , and there was a figure sprawling upon his face , his arms thrown forward and his body twisted. Ono glance told me that It was Armstrong , the tlrst officer , and a second that he war a dead man. For a few moments I Htood gasping , Then I rushed on lo the deck , called Allardycc to my atsUtanco and came back with him into the cabin Together we pulled the unfortunate fellow from under the table , and as we looked at his dripping bead we exchanged glances and I do not know which was the paler of the two , "Tho same as the Spanish sailor , " said I "Tho verv panic God preserve us' It's that Infernal chest ! Ixjok at AinibtroiiB's hand' " Ho held up tbo mate's right hand , and there wa the screwdriver which ho had wished to ust the night before "He's been at the chest , sir. He knew that I was on deck and jou asleep. Ho knelt down In front of It and he pushed the lock back with that tool. Then something hap pened tn him and be cried out so that jou beard him " "Allardyce. " I whispered , "what could have happened to him1" The second mite put Ms band upon my sleeve and drew me Into hit , cabin. "Wo can talk here , sir , and we don't know- who may be Helming to us In there What do jon tipMMB | Is In that box , Captain ' ' " tain Harclay' "I give jou my word , Allardjee , that I have no Idea. " "Well , I can only find one tluory which will tit all the facts Look at the size of the box. Look at all the carving and metal work which maj conceal any number of holes. Iook at the weight of It It took four men to carry It. On the top of that remember that two men have trlrd to open it , and both have come to thrlr end through It Now , t > lr , what can It mean , c xcept one thing ? " "You mean that there la a man In It ? " "Of course there Is a man In it You know how It le In these South American fcUtt-B. sir A man maj be pn-sliji nt one week and hunted like a dog the next Thej are forever Hying for their Uvce. My Idea is that there is some ttllowi la hiding there , who Is armed anil de-pi.rite , and who will fight to the dtalh before he la taken. " "Hut his foot ! nnd drink' " "It's a roomy chest , sir. and he may have some provisions stowed away. As lo hlR drink he had a friend among the crew upon the brig who saw that he hail what he needed. " "You think , then , that the label asking people not to open the box was elmplj written In his Interest" "Yce , sir. that ii tt.'y Idea Have jou any other way of explaining the fads ! " I had to confctw that 1 had not. "The quest kin Is what are we to do ? " t asked. "Theman's a idatiRcrous ruffian who slicks at nothing. I'm thinking It wouldn't be a bail thing to put n rope around the chest and tov It alongside for half nn hour. Then we could open It at our ease. Or If we Just lied the box up and kept him from getting inj vvttcr majbe that would do Jtl t as well. Or the carpenter could put a coal of varnish our It and stop nil the blow holes. " "Come , Allardjee , " palrt 1 , angrllj1. "You don't serloii'ly mean to say that a wlmle flhlp's company are going to be terrorlred by a pingle man In a box. If he's there I'll vn- gage to fetch him out ! " I went to my room and came back with my revolver In my hand "Now , Allanljce , " said I. "Do jou open the lock and I'll stand on guard. " "For ( Jod'a FaKe , think what jou arc doing , sir , " cried the mate. "Two men have lo l their lives over It , and the blood of otic not jet dry upin the carpet " "The more reason why we F him hi revengi- him " "Well , sir , at least let me call the car penter Three are better than two , and h < Ls a good , htout man. " Ho went off In search of him , and I was left alone with HIP striped chest In iho cabin I don't think that I'm a nervou ° man , hut I kr [ > l the table between me and this solid old relic of Hie Spanish main In the glow ing lluht of morning the ml and wln'i Ktrlplni ; was beginning lo appear , nnd thr curious scrolls and wreaths of metal mil carvlnf. wlilrh showed the loving pilns which I'linnlng craftsmen had \peniUd upon It Presently the carpenter and tlic > miitp cam" back together , the former with i hammer In bis band. "It's a bad business tnls , sir , " "aid he , shaking his bead as he looked at the body of the mate "And you think there-'s some one hiding In the box ? " "Tlieie's no doubt about It. " said Allar- dice , picking up the sciewdilver and set ting bis Jaw like a man who needs lo brace his courage. ' I'll drive the leek back If j'oll will both sfind by. If be raises let him havtIt on the head with > our hammer , carpenter' Shoot at once , sir , If he raises his band. Now ! " He had knelt down In front of the strlpid chtnt and passed Ibe blade of the tool under the lid. With a sharp splrk the' lock Hew back. "Stand by ! " jelled the mate , and with i heave he thicvv open the massive top of th" box As It swung up we all three sinang back I with my pistol leviled , and the eatpenter with the hammer above bis bead. Then , as nothing happened , wo tach took a stcn forward and peeped In. The box was empty. Not quite emptj. cither , for In one cor ner was lying an old jellow eandlistlck , elaborately rngiavtd. which appeared to be . is old ao tin1 box itself. It's rich jellow ! ? : > and artistic shape suggested that It was au obiect of value Kor the rest there WHS nothing more weighty or valuable than dust in the- old striped Measure chest "Well , I'm blessed ! " cried AlHrdvce , staring hanlly ! into It. "Where does the weight come In. then ? " "Look at the tbickniBh of the hides and look at the lid. Why It's five inched tluoiigh. And see'that great metal spring "Thai's for holding the lid up. " said the mate. "You see it'will only stanil sttalgbt It won't lean back What'n that German printing on the inside' " "It means that H was made by Johann Uo'hstein of Augsburg in lOOfi " "Anl a solid bit of work , too Hut It doesn't throw much light en v hit has patsed , does It , Captain Hrtrclay' That candlestick looks like gold. We shall have something for our trouble after all. " Ho leaned forward to grasp It , and from that moment I'have ' never doubted as lo the reality of li splratlon , for on the Instant T caught him by the collar ami pulled him straight ad.tln. It may have been some storj' of the middle ages which had come back to my mind , or it may have been that my eye- caught some red which was not that of rust upon the upper part of the lock , but to him and to me It will always seem an inspiration , so prompt and sudden was mj" action. "There's devlllrj here" said I "Give me the crooked stick from the corner " It was nn ordinary walking cane with a hooked top. I passed It over the candlestick and gave It a pull. With a Hash a row ot polished steel fangs shot out from below the upper lip , and the great striped chest snappel at us like a wild animal. Clang tame the huge lid Into Its place , and the glasses on the swinging rack sang and tinkled with the shock. The mate sat down on the edge of the table and shivered like a f lightened horse. "You've saved my life , Captain Harclay , " said he. So this was the secret of thestriped tiensure died of old Don Uaniire ? ill Leyra , and this was how ho piescrved his Ill-gotten gains from the Terra Klrma and tbe prov ince of Veraquas. He the thief ever so cunning , be could not tell that golden candlestick from the * other articles of value and the Instant that he laid hand upon It tbo terrible spring was unloosed and the murdcious steel spikes wcic- driven Into bis brain , while the shock of the blow sent the victim backward and enabled the chest to automatically close Itself. How many , I wondered , had fallen victims to the in genuity of the mechanln of Augsburg. And as I thought of the possible hlstorj * of tlmt grim striped thcst my resolution was vtiy quickly taken. "Carpenter , bring three men and carry this on deck. " "Going to throw it overboard , sir' " "Yet , , Mr. Allardyce. I'm not superstitious as a rule , but there are some things which are moic than a sailor can be called upon to stand " "No wonder that brig made heavy weather , Captain iHarclay , with such a thing on board. The glass Is dropping fabt , sir , and wo are only Just In time. " So wo did not even wait for the three sailors , but we carried it out , the nrate , the carpenter and I , and wo pushed It with our own hands over the bulwarks. Theie vvat ! a white spout of water and It was gone , Then * It Ill's , the striped chest , a thousand futhoirs deep , and' If , as some say , tbn sea will some day bo dry land , I grieve for the man who finds that old box and tiles to penetrate Into Its seciet. of the day. Unlike all others. A product of the troplo , it lias u distinct and positive character of Its own. Not a malt drink , nor yet a mem ber of the faintly of Ko-called soft drinks , nevertheless it satis fies the dcirmmls of the sybtein better than any other drink over bottled. Mfteonl , , } b > . THE BKt SWK'K I'll. CO. INtVV V.OH1C. OMAHA Aflll.S'TH OMIHV IIUTTI.INC WOltKS , Mi > t > i rxl Mullic Mrx. Vi Inflow' * Soulhlni ; H > rup linn lnn u fi ! fnr over Ui jcirH I. ) nilllluiik nt tin thern fur tlii-lr thllilnn while lepthliikwllh | > rrftct cut iefc It M.iithf * tin- child , suftrn * Iht tnnn allujn all pain ruicH ulml rulli. urnl | ih. l-n remedy fin lUurrhura hnlil liy drucKlMH In i very part ut Hitwurlu Ikture uml nek fur "rM . VUnMuw'u Houthlni ; S > ruu' uml take li" other kind. K tent * a bottle. If troubled with HlieumatUm. Neuraisln tx-lu lira or nn > N'rrvoui iHM'iin > tall nt the John II \ViH lhiir > Ii ! Uuit < - 127VHI I * l N V f , r trvulinint flutlr fletlrttllj Klvrn bj i > h > tciui ! ! Will. lUVf Illilll Illrl'C ilUl'UH'H a fc.iillll | Mllj > titatuUiirlni > when uppllvd ti. ) rii > uftiut.i Klvrx Immi-ilUU n Ili-f unit In Unittuire I'uii tuUatloii fit - ilmi-RCn luidiiuti- Wentworth Military Academy , BEST AND PUREST THE ONLY ORIGINAL AND GENUINE DUFFY'S I PURE MALT WHISKEY I All Drugglota. YOU DON'T WA8.EC HOME When You Ride a $100 TO ANYBODY AND EVERYBODY S10U > .51(11 ( MONAKCII8 llttcd with- tires and * ert saddles . . . SOU rorty p mo art calnlo.'uo frco Omaha ARPIH , A. II. Ill IIKIM1 V\\ , 13th ami DmiKhi * . trvt MONAUi'ti c-\e-i.i : Miij. Co , Chlca , u Ni vv \oil , l.uiul.in. Tandems. Crescent Bicycles give rare cycling ple.'iMire. Ci esccnt Tandems double it , adding eonipamon.ship , dividing work. Crescent Tandems are properly built in everway. . Strong , rigid , with many inipiovements that add to their : idcrs' satisfaction. Tile Crescent Tandem with ele vated lear seat is in special favor , SI25. Regular Crescent Tandems Combination and Double Diamond Fiamcs , are SIOO. WESTERN WHEEL WORKS , Factory , Chicago. CATALOGUE FREE. AGENTS EVERYWHERE. KiElTQN ROGERS & SON , UniiUm Agents , 1-1 ( li anil I'nrnniii. THE OAKWOOD Crocll l.lll.v. \ \ IH , I'lnci-t ntnl 1-inilci.t In tinNurtliw t nl of I'lshlnt ; SulliiiK < ' > lint , en , 10 lottiM * in cnnni'Ulon , with 4 In H > r < urns lali ! . . ! . 1' mllt'H IODK L' v. idt mill iliu font ilt i ] > KM I sjniiiK wutir No inns-unlit.is Wiltc ( or dim l.trs tu r. I * . ItiiM-llllir , MamiKi'iDiirlfuril , SUMMER HESORTS I.ONC1 ISLAND. N V. On the On an niul Hound Fe.id 6 fonts In Humps fur "Luiif Irlaml ' in illuMiaUil l > unK mill "Humiiur HUIIHH" a Itouk ilf trlMnK hotels mnl lioiinlltiK hniit-tb on I.OHK Is-laml , to II M Siinlth , Trmtli MuiMKir U I. II. It. , IAJIIB island city. N Y. ' 'THE METTAWASJ K1M5.SVIM , ) : . ONTAIIIO ON TIII : NOUTII siioui. or I.AM : 1:1111 : , DNI.V AN HOCIl'H lll i ; ntilM HKIIt > ilT IMP MIJT niJAl'TII'fl , ItfsuItT Cl1111. . Dltl.'AT IjAKl.t SI I'PlllOll ArrilMMDlt V ' ' ' . ' ' * . , - . I'lciNH , I'CIIM'I.AH I'iUI ! ll.ilhlntHi.iiini ! ITMilntf Oulf llUilint ; I.IVMI Trntilis iiixl lluwlliih' I'i'i' llliiHtiuliil biMililrta Mini Inliirnin Hull ndiiii'fcs th < > | iniiilil | HH JOHN r ANTlMiri. A. TO KlllKf\IIIC. OlIl.Ul. . SI IIOOI.S , CONK MILIMST : OK M > TKI : KAMI : i NI\IIISIT\ : > srifli AiMiilenili- Term \\lll 11,11-11 , M.III- < in > , Si-pt. niii. The Acail in > I'oumo IH IhiituiiKh In II" ' I'upar ill ir > Kintur and riutxluil linnltn , Mu l I" I'.lrlllK lit Oil III ! ' I'llll ) Of I 111- III hi I' HlM-H itl'l ' ll h > f iiirou | is nn ir Hit iluuciof ,1 . unr-li'i ' ? < > rm nf tiarhfrf Mmllti inmli HIM ! < n\ tin * Krf.il Alt HchoulK nf Kiiri > | ir Dr.iwIiiK uml imliitliiK rr < in life mid the tintniiif I'll inoKrui h > ant I'M \VrtllHK UiiiKliI HullillnKH ciiul | ' | I with 1 r I > tfi | > e A si imruU ill i > , irtint-nt fir hil r u .Ilili-r 13 Apl'lj I T itiil"KUt lo 1)1 ! < ! 1-i'sn III ( III * \Clllll'lll > . ST. vi VIM'S . \DIMY. . SiilnDlinif , l . I ) , St. , | IIHI-II I' Inil. UNIVERSITY OF HGTRE DA&1E , .NOTIti ; 1 > AMI : INDIANA ( | llhxl < < H , 1,1-lll-l'N , Sl-ll-lll'l- , I.IIU , I Mil , Mi-i-lliiiilcnl mill Kli-i-ll'lcnl KiiKliitM-r- Inur , Tlmroimli I'ri-mriiliir | > nn > l ruiiiiiii-r- Illl ClIlirNI-N , i : llM.lt.lll .ll StlUlllllH Ut j > t * lal rate * HIHIIIIN lr - i.luiilon or Si nlor > uir c'nl- t-Kluiu I'mirns si. IMtt iinl'H Hall , fur liujr JIHilT 13 Tint KrTlli 'IVrm will opi-ii Scpiimr | 'Hi , I M > 7. CiiliiliiKMi- tint Frci.MI up .llrallon l licv. A. MorrlNm-j , r , S , ( , , Pri-nlili-n I , BRADFORD ACADEMY : X > rNDii > IS03 TOI the higher < luiallm of OutlL' women Clanliul unj hi lentlru. tmntc cf , tuJy. J'rtpurutbry uml Optional \viir LtK'iit Sept . & , UVT. MlhS Il'A ' f Al.I.H.V. I'rln . IlraiHunl Musi KENfLWORTK H ALL Hoard I ni : hcluiolfor lilrU A liiMiitiful tuburb of I'lilcuKU a few mlln north nf the rltjr III lijrht- /ul homo Mtsotlaihmii unit most tboruutm iourt > e9 nf Mud % DliiMruU-d < iitalouuu on umihuttinn Mr . klury Iie > r > llulicuc-L , Kmllmirlb , IIU 'For ' YOUNG WOMEN 3681hYear iic''Arti"Ui > ( iVccrtiacatoa < linlulu Wcllcil ) binltli , V > mr , Ml lluljrukii , ( ' < > rri i > oii < j nra MJlklu.l t - OLDEST. LARGEST AND BEST APPOINTED IN Central West. MO ) . One of the Most Dramatic and Ingenious Stories Weynian Has Yet Written SERIAL PUBLICATION BEGAN JUKE 20 , - latest story by the author of "A Gcntle- man of France , " ' 'Under the Red Robe , " etc. , fully equals those brilliant successes in vigor and masterly delineation of character , while it even surpasses them in subtlety and sustained interest. In "Shrewsbury" Mr. Weynian for the first time leaves French soil and brings his readers to England , where the adventurous times of William III , while plots and counterplots kept tongues wagging and hearts a-throb , afford hiri ample opportunity for the unfolding of a powerful nar rative. The real hero is Charles Talbot , the famous D uke of Shrewsbury ; but the story is told by an ignorant country lad , Dick Price , first usher in a grammar school , then scribe to Mr. Broome , the writer of news letters , and eventually , through his own indecision of character , involved in a network of Anti-Williamite intrigue. Price falls into the hands of Ferguson , the notorious stormy petrel of three rebellions , who uses him as a go-between ; but the Duke of Shrewsbury proves his friend in need and on sev eral occasions saves him from danger and even death. Price possesses a curious accidental like ness to the Duke : and this likeness the plotter , Matt Smith , seeks to turn to Shrewsbury's ruin , by forcing the clerk to impersonate his patron in an interview with the arch-rebel , Sir John Fen- wick. But at Fenwick's trial all is discovered , and the romance comes to a dramatic conclusion , leaving the sorely tried Price to marry the girl of his choice and retire from the buffets of a busy world. world."A "A Gentleman of France , " by this same author , was probably the moat successful serial ever published. "SI , rewsbury" promises to equal it. I The Omaha Sunday Bee $ & WATCH FOR IT ! . READ IT !