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t I I THE -m SOMERSET " DEAL At the back of Pitt Street, in Sydney, New South Walen, there once stood a large block cf busi- ness offices, which for these ijurpos- es -we will call Grenville House, though that is not the correct name. A few years back they Wfira demolished in the course of some public improvements. One doorway in Grenville Houe^ was completely surrounded by brass plates containing such leg- ends as "The Blue Point Diamond Co., Ltd." ; "The Never Never Concessions, Ltd." ; "The Tinta- roo Exploration Co., Ltd." Alto- gether there must liave been nearly twenty of these brass plates, and ip a corner of each were the words, "Sydney Agentâ€" Mr.' B. Wenter." To put it plainly, Mr. B. Weater was the spider and these brass plates were portions of hip web. This gentleman managed to make an excellent income by fraud and trickery, and yet always to evade the clutches of the law. His favor- ite occupation was to get hold of miners just down for a spree from "up country," with their pockets full of gold, and show them how to enjoy themselves. Much of their wealth was transferred to the pock- ets of their astute guide, and amongst those miners who knew him he possessed a gaudy name. In those days the gold fever was at its height, and raw hands flock- ed into thg Colony thinking that all they had to do was to buy a fhovel and scoop up gold into heaps. These gentlemen were the joy of Mr. Wenter's h«art ; they were so ' trusting and so eager to make mon- ey that on Mr. Wenter's advice they bpent it like water â€" water that flowed like a waterfall into Mr. Wenter's banking account. Now it chanced one morning that an elderly man, who looked \ery ill at eane in a frock-coat suit, and who had plainly stamped on him that he was from up country â€" it chanced that this gentlemai^ paus- ed outside Grenville House, and began to study the names of the various business men who runted offices therein. He meandered slowly along until he came to Mr. Wenter's door. He read through all the name? on the brass plates with a certain amount of trouble, and appeared to be profoundly impressed. From a cor- ner of his office, like the spider in a corner of his web, Mr. Wenter lurked, and surveyed his prospec- tive victim, with approval. For some moments the new-com- er hesitated, and then pushect open the office door. By now Mr. Wen- ter was at his table, scribbling away for dear life. "Good morning, sir," said the client. Mr. Wenter continued to write â€" evidently he was so engrossed that le did not hear the salutation. "Good morning, sir," repeated the stranger, this time in a louder key. "I hope I am not troubling you." He made as though to with- draw, which brought Mr. Wenter very quickly to his feet. "Good morning, good morning!" he cried. "Have you been waiting? I am exceedingly sorry, but I have got a big Government contract in hand, and it has kept mc very busy." "I've got a little property for sale," said Mr. Wenter's Client. "It's a mine up beyond Limbula Creek. I've stuck at it for many years and saved a few thousand, and now ^ want to go to the old country to spend them. There's plenty of gold up at Old Somerset â€"that's the name of the mine, but it wants new machinery and capi- tal, and I don't feel equal to the Btrafn either on myself or my pock- et. My name is Gregory - John drcgory. Here's the title-deeds and a map of the country." He pushed over a roll of pape/s to Wenter. "H'm!" remarked Mr. Wenter. "I dare say I can find you a cus- tomer if the mine is worth anything ~-l must see it first, of course. My terms would be 2j^ per cent, com- mission on the sale, and expenses. Have you any figure in mind?" "I reckon the mine is worth twenty thousand," replied Mr. Gre- gory. "When it is worked proper- ly it will be worth five times that 8um." "Well, I'll sec what I can do, Mr. Gregory. But, as I said, I must go and see the mine." "I am at your service any time this week," replied th mine-owner. "Shall we say the day aft<-.i' to- morrow, then?" "That will suit me," said Mr. Gregory. "There's a train to Lira- hula at nine o'clock. We sha'l get tfj. the mine then at about twelve Hill that sait you?" "Yes, I think I can manage it," replied Wenter, thoughtfully, though he knew he had no other en- gagement. "Then I'll meet you under the station clock at ten minutes to nine," remarked Mr. Gregory, and took his leave. "I wonder if there's anything to bo made out of the deal?" mutter- ed Wenter. "Anyway, I sha'n't lose anything by a trip to Limbula, even if I do nothing." So at the appointed hour he met Mr. Gregory, and the two men travelled to Limbula. Here Mr. Gregory hired a rough cart anu drove across to the Old Somerset Mine. "Come along," hz .said, leading Wenter to the shaft. 'Lower away, Lily," he remarked to a black boy in charge of the windlass. "Yes, boss," answered the boy, and presently the two men were down in the bowels of the mine. Mr. Gregory led Wenter through various galleries, and the latter speedily saw that, as his client had said, the mine was full of valuable ere. He broke off lumps here and there, going well in, in order to see whether the ground had been salt- ed. But it was very evident that the gold was in true vein and that there was nothing whatever suspi- cious about it. "What does it pan out to the ton Mr. Gregory?" Le asked. "Eoughly speaking, an ounce and a half to two ounces to the ton, 80 it is a good paying yield. Even now I've gone so far" â€" Mr. Gregory paused and looked round thoughtfully â€" "even now I am half inclined to buy the machinery and work the mine for another year. "I wish I had your chance," said Wenter. "You'd work it, would you?" "Not me. If I had the money this will sell for I'd go straight across to the old country and en- joy myself for the rest of my days ' "Perhaps you're right," replied Gregory. I've roughed it pretty considerably all ray life so far; it's about time I had a little comfort. Shall wc go up now, or would you like to go roimd again?" "No, thanks," Wenter replied; "1 am quite satisfied. I'll do my best tA) make a deal for you." "Eight; I hope you will," Mr. Gregory remarkiid. Then he shout- ed up tho shaft, "Hoist up, Lily : "You .seem to have a good many hands on your mine," Mr. Wenter remarked, as they drove away. "Oh. bless you, they're not all mine. There isn't enough work for n.e to keep many," Mr. Gregory aiisw«-ed. WhM Wentei arrived at his of- fice again he pondered considerably over the matter in question. Here was a mine teeming with gold, which only required capital to work it. Surely he could find someone to buy it at a good figure. There was every prospect of his making a heavy profit over the transaction. "Let me see," he muttered, "Gregory wants twenty thousand for it. Supposing I get someone to offer twenty-five or thirty thou- sand for it, and then tell Gregory I can't find a customer, but that I'm willing to buy it myself and hold it until I can sell it again. I dare say he would take fifteen thousand if I offered to waive my commission and expenses. By gum !" he rubbed his hands and his flinty little eyes shone with glee. "By gum! that would be ten thou- sixnd pounds or more in my pocket for less than ten hours of my time." He picked up the morning paper and saw that the next mail was due to arrive three day.s hence. "Good!" he muttered. "I'll draw up a catchy advertiseniont." He proceeded to write a para- graph pointing out the desirability of all people anxious to purchase mining properties coming to him. Then he strolled down to the news- paper office and made arrange- ments for it to appear for the rest of the week. On Thursday the liner came in, and on Frida> a gentleman called on Mr. Wenter. He was a tall, aristocratic-looking man, faultless- ly dressed in the latest London fashion. "Awâ€" I saw your â€" aw â€" ad- vertisement," he said, speaking in that/ peculiar drawl which one as- sociates with blue blood. "My name is Craven. I came over on the Den- bigh Castle. Iâ€" awâ€" want to buy â€" aw-â€" one of these mines." He handed Mr. Wenter a card. "Yes, sir," said the agent. "I dare say I can fit yon up. I've got li. number of desirable mining properties on hand." As a matter . t fact he had only got the Old Somerset Mine. "You see â€" aw~I don't want to make a beastly splash. Funds are â€" aw â€" somewhat limited, doncher- know. Now just trot out some of these chaps. First of all, though, I don'tâ€" aw â€" want to he far away from S.vdney. Notâ€" aw â€" more than a hundred miles." "Ah, that limit* lue," said Mr. Wenter, diplomatically. "Nearly all my properties are tarthel* ^wav than that. But I've got a ilitst- clasB one up beyond Limbula ; tliafr> about seventy-five miles away." "That's the ticket," remarked Mr. Craven. "Trot it out." Then Mr. Wenter went into de- tails. He enlarged enthusiastical- Iv on the Old Somerset MineT His language was so eloquent that he completely carried away his listen- er. "Aw â€" by Jove! that sounds deu- eedly ripping," cried Mr. Craven. "But you'll want â€" aw â€" more than I can go to for it, I expect." "If you gave me some idea of what you could alford, I dare say I could meet you." said Mr. Wen- ter. "By the way, have you lunch- ed? If not, will you lunch with me? These little matters are bet- ter arranged over a bottle of wine." To be Continued.) SOME ROYAL HOMICIDES A CURE FOR RHEUMATlSiM lbs Trouble Yields to tie Rich, Red Blood Dr. WUllams' Pink Pills Actually Make. Ask any doctor and he will tell jou that rheumatism is rooted in the blood ; that nothing can cure it that does not reach the blood. It is sheer waste of money and time to try to cure rheumatism with lini- ments and lotions that only go skin deep. You can speedily cure rheu- matism with Dr. Williams' Pink Pills, which enrich the blood, drive cut the poisonous acid and loosen the stiffened, aching joints. Among the thousands of rheumatic suffer- ers cured by Dr. Williams, Pink Pills is Mr. W. A. Taylor, New- castle, N. B., who says:â€" For a number of years I was a great suf- ferer from rheumatism which was seated in my shoulders and knee joints. I tried liniments and blis- tering, but with no effect. In fact the trouble was getting worse, an"H my knee joints grew so stiff tu|'. they would snap if 1 stooijed, and I could scarcely straighten up. Al- together I was a terrible sufferer, and nothing 1 did or took gave me any relief until I beocan the use of Dr. Williams' Pink Pills. I took the Pills steadily for a couple of months and every vestige of the trouble disappeared. That was two years ago, and as I have had no return of the trouble I feel safe in assuming that the cure is per- manent." Nine-tenths of the common ail- ments that afflict humanity are due ti: bad blood, and as Dr. Williams' Pink Pills actually make new blood, that is the reason they cure so many different troubles, such as anaemia, indigestion, rheumatism, eczema, neuralgia, St. Vitus dance, paralysis and the ailments of girl- hood and womanhood with all their distressing headaches, backaches and irregularities. Sold by all me dicine dealers or by mail at 50c a box or six boxes for $a.50 from The Dr. Williams' Medicine Co., Brock ville, Ont. GAME FOR (SPAMSH KING. Alfonso Will Follow English Me- thods ot Game Preserving. It would seem that the King of Spain was much impressed by what ho saw in P^ngland last shooting season in regard to English methods t f game preserving, and is desirous of turning his experience to good account in his own country. "His private estate, known as the Casa dc Campo," says the Field, "con- sists of two large parks, one of be- tween 3,000 and (3,000 acres, and an- other said to be seventy miles in circumference, fenced in with a high wall. Pheasants do well there, and red-legged partridges are numer- ous. With a view to increasing tiic I umber of pheasants and improv- ing the shooting generally, his Ma- jesty has commissioned an English sportsman, W. W. Watts, to organ- ize matters for the coming game season and give the necessary in- .structions to the head keepers. Mr. Watts has already taken with him t.> Spain 2,000 pheasants' eggs and a good supply of hens' eggs and live fowls, so that, if all goes well, the shooting next season will bo a revelation to Spaui«:i» sportsmen, especially if the keepers are in- structed, as no doubt they will be, to get rid of some of the furred and feathered vermin, wiiich are &aid to be numerous," There are now 19,000 miles of railways in Mexico. The Maoris of New Zealand now number 4-2,000 odd. ^^ Honeycombs 18 feet high arc built by the giant bees of India. ''**«IM STORIES OF EUROPEAN COUHTS. Murders (f^j. .., , , *•. n. T"!""'*' *»* Princes of the Blood 1^.„, , „ ,^ -«« and Nolh- Ing Saw In the old days Hovah.. ,, . and swindled and murdered''"'^''^ much as they liked. Thoy art"^''^ supposed to do such things noVi!*' perhaps because they are much more strictly looked after. But even in these modern times Prince: of the Blood Royal have taken the lives of their fellow-men. It is al- ways an accident, of course ; at least, so the official journals say, if they say anything at all, say? Pearson's Weekly. Only the other day an aged Ser- vian peasant received an official no- tice that his son, a private in the Servian Army, was dead, and that the body was being sent home for burial. Nothing was said as to the cause of death, and when the coffin arrived the old man insisted on hav- ing it opened. On the lid being re- moved, the :H)ldier u family were amazed to find a bullet wound in the body. Suspicions of foul play were aroused. Inquiries were made and at last the truth was dragged from the reluctant officials. An officer, they said, had been practising with his revolver, and, seeing the soldier with a cigarette in his mouth, he had betted that he could knock the tobacco ash from the tip of tne cigarette. He raised his revolver, fired â€" and missed. "Who was the officerâ€" the man who murdered my son?" the old man asked. They tried to put him off with all sorts of explanations, but at last he- forced them to answer his ques- tion. "It was His Highness the Crown I'lince!" Last July a hunting party, which included the limperor of Austria, went to shoot at Mitten Weissen- bach, near Ischl. In a surprising- ly short time they returned to Ischl, one of the party having been in- jured. REGAL COMPENSATION! An "inspired" communication was later sent to the Press to the effect that Baron Krieghaiiinicr, Minister of War for the Austro- Hungarian Empire, had fallen while shooting and injured himself. The Baron, who was an old man of seventy-five, lingered for some time 111 great agony, but ten days after the accident he died. The public accepted the official account of the affair and promptly forgot abou'.^ it. Some weeks after- wards the facts began to filter through from Court circles, and without it actually becoming public property, the real story of that fa- tal expedition was whispered cau- tiously about in Vienna. The true facts were simply that, about a quarter of an hour after the party had started, the Emperor's grandson. Prince George of Ba- varia, fired the first shot, hitting Baron Krieghammer in the thigh. The Minister fell to the ground with a groan. Francis Joseph, who rushed to his assistance, found him lying in a pool of blood. The unfortunate Minister was carried back to Ischl, where at- tempts were made to remove the bullet. The official version of the accident was only issued when it was seen that the Baron's Case wa.^ hopeless, and that recovery was im- possible. If a motorist who runs down and kills anyone may be classed as a murderer, then at the present mo- ment a murderer sits on a Euro- pean throne. While travelling in his motor-car at Pernersdorf, the King of Saxony lan over a farmer named Starcke. The man was killed almost instant- ly. King Frederick, who was one ef the principals in the most un- pleasant Royal scandal of recent years, was urged to grant some sort of compensation to the dead man's family. With truly regal magnifi- cence, his Majesty generously offer- ot. them three hundred dollars! WAS KING LUDWIG MAD ? The final tragedy of Ludwig II. of Bavaria has never been satisfac- toril.v explained, and as both the chief actors are dead, it must ever remain a histori'-ial mystery. Briefly, the affair happened in this way : Ludwig had been pro- nounced mad. He was deposed and taken by Dr. Von Gudden, a speci- alist in insanity, to the Castle of Berg on the Lake of Starnberg. One evening the King and the doctor went out walking together â€" and they never came back. Some hours later their bodies were found floating in the lake. No one knows how they came there. "Inspired communications'" said that Ludwig had thrown himself into the lake, WHAT BIG LINERS EAT BURN UP ONE HUMJREP TONS OP rOAL PEH BAY. Stupendous Figures Conoerniug Coal, Steam, Water and Air CuuNiMueii. Wonderment at the dimensions of the two great liners, Lusitania and Mauretania, has subsided. It is taken for granted that nothing is 1^ great iu size to float the Atlan- F.p*4"" *''*'' the limitations ol eas^of ti"! liner of the future railroaSl^ ^^ Hiat of the limited But in^t"- these two-J^JP^riod of interest in of the mo^t «^.'«tcr ships some cerning them weK"K "f facts con- the public. Tlie stiiii; 'iccessible to concerning coal, steaft|"iis figures consumed bv one of LhestVid water only recently are leaking ^^uiians the wonderment of the \vorldu*^.^or such giant vessels could be pr^^ led through the water at 25 mi^ e«*k an hour and moro day after dn,y hmted at an enormous consump- tion of coal. Here are some of the concrete figures. STORE 7,000 TONS FOR TRIP. In the bunkers of one of these vessels 7,000 tons of coal are stored for the Atlantic trip. This means that 145 coal cars of 100,000 pounds capacity each would be required to load these bunkers to their capa- city. This would require five mon- ster locomotives and tin- crew of five trains to deliver this one loading of coal at the docks. How much of this coal is burned on the average trip is knowu to only a few privileged persons. But it is known that in round figures each vessel consumes 1.000 tons, or 2,- 000,000 pounds, of coal each twenty- fcur hours. In ea<:h ship are twen- ty-five boilers, each with its yawn- ing firebox underneath seething under forced draft. This means that into each of these furnaces &0,000 pounds of coal must be fed every twenty-four hours â€" the ca paeity, virtufvlly, of the greatest coal car in railway service. Each pound of coal should de- velop nine pounds of steam. This gives 1,»00,000 jiounds of steam which passes every twenty-four hours through the ship's turbines. This steam as generated and held f<;r power stands at a pressure of 200 pounds to tlie square inch. At this pressure a pound of steam oc- cupies about two cubic feet of boi- ler space, whieli indicates 1,G80,000 cubic feet of steam through the en- gines every hour. Six hundred and twenty-four thou.sand pounds of water a minute are necessary to slake the thirst of the great boilers. This is 4r)0.000 tons of water in twenty-four hours, Ol 100,800,000 gallons a day. The average consumption of water in the cities is thirty-five gallon;! a day for each inhabitant, so that.,. the needs of one of these passenger ships is equal to the needs of a city of almost 3,000,000 population. In the furnaces twenty pounds of ail are requiretl to consume a pound of coal. Thus twenty tons of air must be driven through the grates ot the furnaces every day. With the temperaltire at 100 de- grees, this means that 28,100,000 cubic feet of air enters the furnaces every hour. A pipe ten feet sqi.art; supplying this amount of air would develop gale conditioiis with wind llowing at fifty miles an hour. BABY'S OWN TABLETS A BOON TO CHILDREN A medicine that will keep babies and young children plump and good natured, with a clear eye and rosy skin is a blessing not only to the little ones but to mothers as well. Bab.y's Own Tablets is just such a medicine. They cure all thu minor ailments of children and make thein eat well, sleep well and play well. They are used exclusive- ly in thousands <.if homes when n child medicine is needed. Mrs. G. Collins, Hirkcll.i, Man., says: â€" "Baby's Own Tablets are the most satisfactory medicine I have ever used for ills of young children. They are as good as a doctor in the home." Sold by medicine dealers or by mail at 26c a bo.\- from The Dr. Williams' Medicine Co., Brockville, Ont. and that Dr. Von Gudden had los4 his life in trying to rescue him. But how, then, can one explain the scratches on Von Gudden's face and the bruise, as though from the blow of a fist) The King must have h.ated him, for it was he who, with diabolical tactlessness, told him bluntly that he was mad. Terrible things were whispered. The story most widely believed was that Ludwig had ilrowned his com- panion, and then, in .1 frenzy of madness, plunged into the lake