The Syracuse Journal, Volume 26, Number 34, Syracuse, Kosciusko County, 14 December 1933 — Page 3

THURSDAY, DEC. 14, 1933.

THE GUNS ?OFTHE /jfl HOLY r Q 1 {TRINITY OjJ By Henry CRowland jwjjß S. VRU. SERVICE '

CHAPTER XII Doctor White shot him a swift fiance. He ascribed thia apparent faintness to an overpowering disappointment. He was convinced that the x count had firmly expected the presence of vast treasure In those guns. Jewels, diamonds and rubles from some bishop’s miter, or pearls, from Rio de la Hach. Somebody aboard the corvette had guessed the secret, perhaps, and found time to get below and draw the priceless charges before the hold had filled. The count drew another deep breath and appeared to get himself' In hand. But Doctor White was disturbed by the pallor of his face. Also Its expression—puzzled him. because It was not that of a man who has suffered , crushing disappointment, but of one j who struggles to suppress some vlo J lerttly active emotion rather than the , passive crushing one of profound { chagrin. The discerning doctor was more than ever certain that count de Corlay had good reason to count on a secret hoard contained In these guns, and that even though they, had proven to be empty of such, thit might yet he found In others. But having now seen that Doctor White suspected some thing of this sort, the count was torn • between eager expectation of treasure ■ still secreted In such a fashion and despair at knowing that he might as well abandon all hop*.of its posses slon. . " ■ •-.Doctor White glanced at Robert. That young man's fac* wore a marielike Indifference. He did hot seem to be concerned at all about their comparatively worthless find, hut what struck the doctor as even more sin- | gular tn so,.evidently devoted a son. he did not appear to observe the obvlons distress of his father. Then, catching the doctor’s eye Rob- j ert said lightly. “Well, It ratlfer looks aw If papa and I had been had.*’ “Had by whom?” Doctor White de- . minded. \ I “By our Jolly old revered ancestor. ‘ T don’t mind telling you now that he recorded a tidy bit of personal plum der In the diary we found. But some‘s, artful Johnny must have piped it down and scoffed It in the shuffle." ' "We might find It yet." said Tom. "I’m going down to, have a look see myself when Mike gets through. He may have missed something." Doctor White, nodded. “Os course I don’t know what was recorded In the diary, hut It seems to me too early In the game to give up hope. I think also thrft It would be very much better If you were to tell us Just what was tn ; the diary.* Robert smiled. “What’s the good of that, sir, when you have shown us very clearly that we have actually no legal elalm at all? I don’t mind telling you frankly that It would only be ■ slap at our ancestor and the family name. Tour suspicions that,he might have collared something to the whole of which "be was not entitled, were •entirely correct" . "Robert," said the count sharply, “you say too much—• “What's the odds, papa? The Jig’s up. The diver has overhauled the eabln and drawn a blank. . T would Jump at the chance of selling out our ■hare—ls the doctor considers we’re entitled to any—for what we’ve taken off her already. These little gunh don’t look like much, but the plate would be rather nice to have." "We have already decided among ourselves that you were to have the plate," said Doctor White, "and you are quit* welcome to the guns. too. for that matter. But we don’t insist on your abandoning all further share". The count and Robert exchanged a swift, startled look. Then Robert asked, slowly, "Just what la your estimate of our proper share. Doctor Whiter J "Gentlemen." said Doctor White, “my ward. Miss Poole, and I decided before starting our salvage operations that the value of whatever we might secure should in all fairness be divided in three equal shares, one third to the De Corlay s, who sped our efforts, and because Robert helped drive off Sebastian. one-third to Tow. Jordan for similar reasons, and one-third to, Mias Poole and myself because we were the first to establish an actual claim by getting a line to the wreck. Miss Poole and I would not have beaten Sebastten but for what you gentlemen told us. We wore actually trying to beat you. Wo could not then have held our claim If It had not been for Tom and Robert, particularly Tom. And If It had not been for us. principally Miss Poole. Sebastian would certainly have got his line fast to the taFourquet before Tom and Robert ar- | glved on the scene. I think that you I must all admit the Justice of these I atateaMuta, and their truth." The count nodded. A tinge of color bad eomo back to his lean cheeks and there was a deep glow in his eyes. «Ma foL monsieur, but you are aa sound in your argument as you are magnanimous Then you really intend te grant us a third, no matter what asay yet be found?" •We do, sir." Doctor White, answered, “no matter If we find the tress aro of the Inca—or a cannon stuffed with pearls to the very mussle of her." i Robert burst Into a ringing laugh, and looked at the count "I think we’ve jolly well got to play the game after that, papa.* . "I am mneh of your mind. Robert. | J failed to realise that we had to dm i w

with people of such a distinguished fairness.’’ He raised his hat. “! beg to apologize.” Doctor White looked In some bewilderment from one to the other. He led utterly to grasp the situation. Tom and Jessica were no less puzzled. The count suddenly animated, threw out his hands. "You have jum offered to give us the plate and these three guns." he cried, shifting to more fluent French. "The gift of plate we accept with gratitude, not only because of Its historic family Interest, but as a souvenir of the fairest and most honorable dealing that It has ever been my good fortune to encounter, But since yon have so disinterestedly stated your Just Intention toward us. we no longer desire more than our third ahare of the value of these guns." The three Americans stored at countde Corlay In astonishment. Then Tom choked back a laugh. Doctor White glanced at him and frowned. “But. my dear count.” he said, “there Is nothing In these guns. You Just saw me sound them.* . Robert chuckle I. “Mv aunt Doctor, but you’re a hard man tn crowd treasure on.” “What d'ye mean, treasure?" Tom /£? ‘• "What D'ye Mean, Treasure?" Tom Demanded. demanded. “What are three brass cannons worth?" »• Robert continued his chuckling "Tell them, papa— * The count’s fine face was fairly scintillating. Then, with gome effort he checked his overpowering excitement and smiled. “Are you quite sure that they are brass?" Tom. suddenly pale, leaned down and scratched at the brazen surface he had already exposed. Straightening up again he shook his head. There wns a look of pity on hls face. “Somebody—your ancestor or some Other Joker must have been kidding. Count. They’re brass. With more copper, perhaps, than the brass we make today, but brass. Did you think they might be gold?" “Sapristl!” roared the count, "but they are gold, young,man. They are solid gold. They are the guns of the Holy Trinity!" Doctor White was conscious of a sudden lifting of the diaphragm. The situation, with Its puzzling complications. became clear to him almost In an Instant. With a comprehensive glance at the count he repeated the words. “The Holy Trinity?” “Precisely, air. They were cast of melted votive offerings In the church of the Ranta Trinidad, the Holy Trinity. and other contributions In gold for the defense of Ciudad Trinidad up In the mountains of Peru. This early Spanish mission was presided over by one Father Pietro, of the Brotherhood of Jesus, who like most of hls cult was a man of distinguished learning and abilities. Informed that pirates were coming to attack the place he summoned hls people to fetch tn their gold, and from that he cast these guns.” He had been tanrht the process of tempering gold by an old Inca chief who was devoted to him. and It la probable that he made hls po’wder from the charcoal and sulphnr and saltpeter that was obtainable In that region . The count paused for breath. Tom managed to mutter. "By gorry. I might have guessed It from the weight of them." “That brave effort failed." count da Corlay resumed, still speaking French. "The mission was destroyed, put to fire and sword, and these pirates must have discovered the secret of the guns. Thereafter they passed from hand to hand, eventually to be captured by my ancestor, who took them from a buccaneer ship. Purlalma Concepcion. which he destroyed. They were then covered, as now, by this coating of cum, and the character of their metal waa unsuspected. My ancestor was set to thinking In the manner that Mr. Jordan has Just mentioned. Ry their astonishing weight. He knew something of metallurgy and found occasion to make some tests, when he discovered that aqua regia alone was able to erode their surface. Even that reacted more alowly than upon virgin gold." Historically, as Doctor White recalled. the count’s story was credible

Tn actual fact, as far as history may be trusted, the authorities of Porto Bello, when that stronehold of Spain tn the New world was besieged by Morgan’s merciless buccaneers, resorted to precisely- the same subterfuge. The gold In the city, by ail ats counts a vast store, awaiting shipment to Spain, and all that could be hastily gathered from the citizens, was melted and some small cannon (the number Is not recorded) cast an<J mounted with their more practical If less Intrinsically valuable brothers, op the city’s walls. Dismantled from their carriages before the final victorious assault of Morgan’s men. they naturally were completely overlooked by the buccaneers. Intent only on pillsge, but there Is no historic record of the costly “weapons" having been salvaged. That the secret should hsve remained undivulged. In view of the savage tortures Inflicted on the unfortunate citizens of Porto Bello who were suspected of having concealed their treasures. Is one of the marvels In the tragic history of the Spanish Main. Possibly few, except a handful of the higher authorities, knew of the trick, and these In all probability were slain In the first hours of slaughter that followed the capture of the city by the buccaneers And he'ore the systematic pillage was begun. The Incident, however, was vivid In Doctor White’s memory as the count De Cor lay ended his explanation. Tom.'staring at the three pieces of ordnance that had been so carelessly dumped down upon the hea >h. gave a long, low whistle. Then, with Yankee practicality he said, "They’ll react to a Ipieksaw. I reckon." and looked at Jessica. Rut Doctor U/liite was not th nking of that consideration. Hls mind was at workman the Idea of argumontnm ad homtnum. and how easily he might have fallen victim to such had not the honor of these Frenchmen spurned It on discovering that they had In turn to deal with a Just man whose fairness they were content to abide, by and whose mere word was enough to make them feel safe In tHejr astonishing. revelation. The doctor’s eyes glistened as he contemplated the honor done him. He felt Incapable of speech. Hls throat swelled. Some acknowledgement being in order he merely bowed, first to the count and then to Robert. Hls jtalute was gravely returned by each. No more was necessary. The two Frenchmen understood. CHAPTLR XIII "About seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars, as I figure It." said Torn. In notes of awe to Jessica. “Split three ways." “Os which one whole third goes to you,” said Jessica. "So I'm told, and for what I’d gladly have paid a premium for the privilege of doing. That seems to be the way of this world. Here Tye worked like billy-o at something or other for twenty years—since I was ten —for scarcely any pay at all and now all of a hop I’m handed a fortune for nothing st all." - - ’ ' Count de Corlay and Doctor White and Robert came but from the doctor’s little laboratory, where they had been subjecting some filings of the gun to analytic testa Both were skilled chemists, the count at the head of a recently established fixed nitrogen laboratory. “What’s the assay, papa?” Robert asked. “Only about 99, per cent pure, mon petit,” the count answered dryly ‘‘B Is as I predict'. The hardening process was entirely one of temperatures, and not of alloy. There Is no copper, nn sulphur, nothing but gold. I should say." “Will this tempering affect Its value?" Tom asked. "Why yes. It ought to Increase It B considerably. About the only to be found with gold Is Its soft“And Its we'ght." said T6m. without much thought. "I say. Tom, did you ever hear any Johnny rrouslng about the burden of hls gold?" „ "I’ll bet your honored ancestor did when It went down under him," Tom retorted. “Right, old bean. But we sha'nt have to complain over excess weight when ottf respective ministers of finance get through with us," Robert stated. This dark prophesy already had furnished Tom s bitter cud to ruminate. Lika.a good many oeople of this epoch there was some discrepancy between hls workaday comtnerc’al and hls elvlc honesty. He was entirely willing to render unto Caesar the things that are Caeaar’a, provided hls conscience assured them that they wefa actually Caesar’s. But he failed to aee why the U. R. A. should hsve any legitimate claim on a treasure brought from foreign parts and sunk In these waters before any such nation as the U. R. A. had been conceived. But Tom was waved the wear and tear by the attitude of Doctor White, who held that If a man could not be a great American he had It In hls power to be a good American, and who may have felt In hls heart that tn remaining the latter he achieved the former. Tom. as chief beneficiary, did not feel himself free to argue the point, In ethics. Ro to further hls Immediate ambition he took another course. ( When the De Corlays had gone and Aunt Martha was clashing the cymbals of a food attack tn the pantry. Tom said to Jessica’s guardlanj “Doetor. as my finances stand to date, wouldn’t you consider see to be within tho conditions Imposed on a candidate tor Jessica’s hand In marriage?" "Why, yes, Tom. There can be no doubt st all as to the approximate value of our find." "Then." said Tom. "If other things are equal, Em free to marry her?" “Free as this ocean air. my boy. Tho other things are equal, I think.” "Thanks, Doctor. Then, all that being conceded sod hoped for, wo both would like to get married before very long. Say the day after tomorrow Jessica has got something else she wants to do tomorrow * (THE KNDI

THE SYRACUSE JQURIWAJL

DISMAL Hsrry and Theodore Voris, Mrs. Raymond Bitner and Elvin Doll were In Fort Wayne, Saturday. Virgjl Bobeek and family spent Wednesday with Ed Hire and family of Albion. Mrs. Fanny Larson of Ligonier was the guest of her sister, Miss Tilds Bobeck, Wednesday. Laura Bobeck called in the afternoon. Merrit Lung accompanied Roy Miles of Milford to Fort Wayne, Thursday. ! Amelia Clingerman visited Tilda Bobeck, Thursday afternoon. Dr. Shaffer of South Bend spent part of last week in the Clell Buchtel home. y Virgil Bobeck and family, Dora Clingerman and wife were Sunday dinner guests of Claus Bobeck, wife and son Harold. Wilmot Jones Jr., of the Ft. Wayne Business college, spent the week end with his parents near Wawasee. ZION. Mrs. Rinard Kelberg, Mrs. Donald Ringler and Mrs. Emory Guy were Elkhart and Goshen callers last Tuesday. Mrs. Jay Rensberger called on Mrs. Donald Ringler, Saturday afternoon. The Home-coming of the Zion church waa well attended, Sunday.

OPENING Saturday, Dec. 16 -THE GRILL6A. M.—BREAKFAST SERVICE—6 A. M. A NEW KIND OF RESTAURANT SERVICE IN SYRACUSE We invite you to come in on our Opening Day and Enjoy a FREE CUP of COFFEE with us, made in our Nuway Coffee Maker. THE GRILL J. H. JENNISON :0: J. C. CONNOLLY Opposite Post Office.

at BACHMANS , 1 — ( I 17\wt BEAUTIFUL ' , FIGURED SILKS Handkerchiefs MEN’S KID GLOVES ( Ladies Fabric Gloves $1.25 per yard Men - Women - Children Misses Wool in Bright Col. cr i ■di 59c MakeS Bea “ h " B onses Single or Boxed. galoshes silk ties Womens - Childrens , Large Assortment - Extraordinary Tie $1.25 $1.15 for 50c nt I^l zr|L fW Ladies Hose Lod.e, Purses Silk Wool Ladies Full-Fashioned Silk Genuine Leather. For Men and Women Hose—Exceptional Quality Variety 50c to $1.95 89c SI.OO to $1.50 GROCERY DEPARTMENT S ee Window for Saturday Specials Christmas Trees Assortment Christmas Candies

A delicious pot luck dinner was served at the noon hour. A splendid program was given in the afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. - Emory Guy spent Monday with Mr., and Mrs. Joseph Smith. ■ Mrs. Ella Miller of Pierceton is visiting Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Brower and family and Mrs. Ida Guy. Ralph Godschalk and Pauline Klinger spent Wednesday evening with Mr. and Mrs. Emory Guy.

The Christmas Store offering you a wide selection of useful, economical articles. Make your selections now. BECKMAN’S QUALITY FURNITURE

Christmas Greetings We are again in business to serve you. Come In and Pay Us A Visit DRESSES ARE OUR SPECIALTY Special Sat. Only—Pure Silk Hose, -49 c Gibson’s Novelty Store

Specials for Saturday All Items Cash SUGAR, 10POUNDS, ...... 46c BUTTER,, NEW PARIS? Ib7ZT„ 22c SOUP BEANS, 4 lbs 16c SODA CRACKERS, 2 lbs 24c SOAP, 0. K, 6 bars -...... 24c MOTHER’S COCOA, 2 lb. box 22c RAISINS, 2 pkgs~Z 16c CATSUP, 1 large bottle 13c SOAP CHIPS, Quick Arrow, 1 pkg 16c See Our Stock of Christmas Trees, Candies, Nuts Seider & Burgener

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