Part 28 (1/2)
The fog had lifted sufficiently, by this time, so that clear vision was to be had for at least a quarter of a mile
Skipper Tom whistled as he handled the wheel Joe Daas so relieved in mind that, after a careful look at the motors, he threw himself upon one of the berths opposite and dozed Hank put in his ti after preparations for supper
”What ails you, Halstead?” de skipper
For the boy had turned, suddenly, to a sickly pallor
”It has just struckhtest suspicion of e've done to outwit hih to put his whole set of papers in at the nearest cable office for direct sending to Rio Janeiro!”
CHAPTER XIX
HELPLESS IN THE NORTHEASTER!
”I've already thought of that,” nodded Powell Seaton
”And it doesn't worry you, sir--doesn't make you anxious?” questioned Captain Toht cable the full contents of the papers If the paper could fall only into Governor Terrero's hands it would be orth the cable tolls But if such a cablegram were sent, openly, to Terrero, or one of his representatives, it would have to go, first of all, through the hands of the Governe of the cable”
”But couldn't Terrero fix that?” asked Halstead
”No; Rio is out of his state, and beyond the sphere of his strongest influence Now, if I were to land in Rio Janeiro, I would be arrested on a warrant issued by Terrero's judges, up in the state of Vahia, and I would have to go to Vahia for trial Undoubtedly Terrero's rascally officers would shoot me on the way, and report that I had tried to escape”
”Then what harm could it do to Terrero's chances for Dalton to send hiram direct?”
”Why, either the cable officials in Rio are very great rascals, or else they are honest officials If they are rascals, they h to act for themselves on the information it contained On the other hand, if they are honest officials, then they would undoubtedly notify the Government of such a stupendous piece of news The Governe of al, for the Governreater nu dia on information from its cable officials, took possession of the news and of the diaram do Governor Terrero? No; you may be very sure that Dalton won't send the contents of the papers by cablegraest orders fro that”
”I feel better, then,” Tom admitted ”For the ht nip all our work in the bud by sending a cablegram Still, couldn't he send it by code?”
”No; for only the ordinary codes can go through the Brazilian cable offices, and the Government officers have the keys to all the codes that are allowed Rest easy, Halstead; Dalton won't atteet aboard the 'Glide,' we'll beat hi in the world!” cried Toreat fortune at stake were his own
They were still following in the wake of the ”Glide” Once in a while dick Davis or Ab Perkins had the operator on the freighter flash back a wireless e of a friendly, personal nature Joe answered all these
For thirty-six hours this pleasant stern-chase lasted By night the helh in use to make sure that the drab boat did not appear
”Dalton and Le,” chuckled Halstead, in huge satisfaction ”Any Rio-bound boat they can catch now is hopelessly to the rear of the 'Glide,' I reckon”
Joe, by wiring back, and asking other wireless vessels to relay, from time to time, had ascertained that there was no other steam vessel, bound for Rio, in close pursuit
Mr Seaton took his trick at the wheel occasionally So did Hepton
Joe gave h hethe cruise south Joe used so out his for the wireless table with the hel tube