The Kidnapped President

arveston had not said good-bye to me, and for this reason I did not consider it necessary that I should go out of my way to be civil to him. That the man intended doing me

ortnight the worries and troubles that had been my portion during the past two months. Molly, I must tell you, or Miss Mary Wharton, was a lady of much importance at Falstead. She was an orphan, and her father had been the Vicar of the hamlet for nearly fifty years. When her parents died she had received an offer of a home in London, but she could not find it in her heart to leave the place in which she h

the longest walking in all the world; now, however, after so many weeks of sea, the green lanes, varied with open stretches of down, were beautiful beyond compare. Every turn of the road brought to light some spot of interest. I crossed the old stone bridge at the entrance to the village, and noted the

I overtook the worthy Vicar, who, as he informed

lcome home," he said. "You seem to have been

ed, and with a considerable amount of truth. "I

d fellow with a chuckle. "She is wonderfully well, and I fancy is looking

r. For the next few minutes I had to submit, and I will leave you to imagine whether I did so willingly or not, to such a kissing and hugging as the average man seldom receives. Then I was escorted to the little drawing-room a

was dressed in white, with a white belt round her shapely waist; while on the third finger of her left hand was the ring I had bought for her at Salisbury after our engagement was announced. Even now, though ten years have elapsed, I can feel the joy of that home-coming. I sat sipping my tea, and eating slice

I borrowed the Vicar's pony-cart and drove her into Salisbury. Alas! however, that day was destined to end in very different fashion to what it had begun. Having returned the pony-cart to the vicarage, we strolled home together. My mother's maid-of-all-work had brought in the lette

ar

ard will be glad if you will make it convenient to be p

a

very

nson, Se

e you? I think it is very unkind of them to spoil your holiday

I did not get on very well together, and I expect he has been mak

d my sweetheart, her eyes flashing.

r ones farewell, walked into Salisbury, and caught the train to London, reaching the Company's offices, which were in Leadenhall Street, about a quarter of an hour before the meeting was due to take place. A liveried po

e Company took place. There I discovered a full Meeting. The Chairman was seated at the head of the table-a dignified, portly

nduct during the voyage which has just ended. To be candid, he charges you with general neglect of duty, of insulting conduct towards himself, and, I regret to add, of untruthfulness. We thought it better that you should have an opport

position there, "is that the report has not a word of truth in it. It is a malicious i

in our service, and we have never known him act unjustly to any one. Would it not be better to admit that there is s

ctful of my duties, or allow myself to be called untruthful when I know the charge to be unjust. For some reason, I cannot s

voyage, I stated that I was prepared to bring witnesses to prove that she was as perfect as it was possible for a ship to be. If a little of the gloss had worn off by the time we reached the Thames, I explained that it was due to the fact that we had experienced very rough weather in the Bay and also coming up Channel. The charge of untruthfulness I dismissed as being both petty and absurd. Towards the end of my re

tion the length of time you have been in the Company's service, and the fact that there have never been any complaints against you hitherto, we should be justified in permitting you an opportunity of retrieving any little error you

ey would have given orders that I should be confronted with my accus

self. It seems to me, if only in common fairness, that he should be called upon to prove them, and if he is unable to do so, to apologize to me for the wrong he has done me. I declare most emphatically that I am inno

tendent has confirmed the capta

had a quarrel some years before, and also that he was a great friend of

t submit," I answered. "Nevertheless, I contend that n

are accustomed. Why not take the Chairman's advice, Mr. Helmsworth, and apologize to your captain?

as the waving of a red flag is

d. "Captain Harveston is in the wrong, and I

ould be loath to lose your services, Mr. Helmsworth, particularly after your long servi

assure you I shall immediately take what proceedings the law all

they were doubtless asking themselves, that a misera

fter you have quitted our employment," said the Chairman, "but if you will be

therefore," I said, "

"we will not go as far as that

n," I said, and bowing I walked out of the ro

denhall Street, after leaving the offices of the Company. "Poor little Molly, this

ittle legal business my father had required, and who had arranged my mother's affairs after his death, had an office in one of the curious old Inns of Court in that neighbourhood. I determined to lay the case before him and to act according to the advice he gave me. On reaching the office I had th

l be good enough to wait for a moment, I will place your name before him

mother's health, then took a pinch of snuff, looked at me fixedly, and then took another. A

before us that it does exist. It's one thing, however, to be unjustly treated, and quite another to go to law about it. In a somewhat lengthy career, it has always been my endeavour to impress one thing upon my clients-Don't go to law if you can possibly avoid it. Doubtless

er," I replied somewhat sharply, for

It would also have the effect of putting them in an antagonistic attitude towards yourself, which, at present, they do not appear anxious to take up. The case would attract some attention, the various shipping companies would read it, and, should yo

ou don't mean to say that I am to have this

ly treated, but, upon my word, though if I were in your place I should doubtless feel as you do,

as I was, the advice he gave me was most unpalatable. He

ooks at things from afar. I pledge you my word that, in giving you this advice, I am acting as I deem best for your welfare. There is an old saying to the effect that 'there are

I am not going to continue to be susp

ing upon him to-morrow in order to have a chat with him upon the subject. I cannot promise, but I think I shall be able to induce him to persuade his br

t I must be pr

smiled a c

ed that there are ways and ways of doing things. Leave it to me

so, then,

say that I do not think you could do bette

plied, "but I fancy this news w

ve my kindest remembrances to your mother, and, well, if you like, you can give a kiss to Miss Molly for me. Tell her not to bother herself; that I will see you out of this affair all right. I am very glad, my lad, that you c

he rose from his chair, shook me by the hand, and told me he wou

left him. Twenty minutes later I caught the three o'clock express at Wat

, and her loving sympathy cheered me m

re than this Company seems to have done. Remember, I believe in you with my whole heart, dear, and if it is decreed that we are not to be married for some time to c

ve to pocket my pride and ship as second or third officer, hoping by perseverance and hard work to get back to my old position later on. This eventually I decided to do, but even then I was not successful. The only line which could offer me anything was in the Russian grain trade, and the best berth they had

did not leave his name, but he said you would probably remember him, as he had met you

co," I said a little bitterly. "A lot of them w

ook he

I continued. "Very well, when I have had my

e since I was so high, and upon my entering her carefully-sanded parlour, she bustled out of her little room at the bac

end of the garden," she answered. "If you

he garden towards the little summer-house in question. Seated in it, looking jus