"IWANT to ask your advice upon a certain matter, Mr. Herbert," said the bos'n to my uncle that same evening. The "Fortuna" still remained at anchor, for we were unwilling, owing to the changes caused by the seismic disturbance, to make a passage in the darkness through the shoals that surrounded the island.
My uncle and I were seated in deck chairs enjoying the cool of the evening as well as our depressed spirits would allow, when Mr. Wilkins approached, holding a bundle of papers in his hand.
"Well, what is it, Mr. Wilkins?"
"I've just been overhauling poor Dirham's ditty-box, sir, and there's something queer about these letters. I thought I'd best show them to you before I mention the matter to Mr. Trevena."
"They are all from the same individual, I notice," remarked Uncle Herbert as he glanced at the address. "This, I take it, is the first."
It was a plain envelope, on which was written, "Mr. J. Dirham, Yacht 'Fortuna,' Malta." Taking out the contents, Uncle Herbert held a sheet of closely written paper up to the light of a deck lamp. On the top of the paper was the heading,The Yachtsman's Fortnightly Journal, with an address at Plymouth.
DEAR SIR. (it ran),—We are in receipt of your letter of the 21st ult., and note theinformation given of "Fortuna" yacht as arranged. Kindly let usknow as soon as can be ascertained the lat. and long. of the islandto which you go. A further sum of five shillings has been placed toyour credit in our ledgers.Yours very truly,JAMES TICKET (Editor).
Yours very truly,
JAMES TICKET (Editor).
"There's something fishy about this, Mr. Wilkins. In the first place, I don't believe there is such a journal asThe Yachtsman's Fortnightly, and, secondly, no editor would pen such un-English jargon."
"That's what I thought, sir; now read this one."
The second communication was addressed to the yacht at Point de Galle, Ceylon, and thanked the recipient for the information regarding the position of San Philipo Island. Curiously enough, it was signed "James Trickett," a difference of two letters to the signature of the previous epistle.
"Do you think we might show them to Mr. Trevena?" asked the bos'n. "I don't like to worry him, seeing him so cut up just at present.
"I don't think it will do him any harm," replied my uncle. "If anything, it will give him something to occupy his mind. I am of the opinion that some underhand business is afloat, and that Dirham was an agent in the matter. However, we'll see what my brother has to say about it."
So saying, he led the way to the cabin, where my father was sitting brooding over the calamities of the day. Without speaking, my uncle handed him the packet of letters, which my father carelessly took, but before he had read the first two or three his face lighted up with animated interest.
"What do you make of the business?" asked my uncle. "It seems a bit of a mystery?"
"A mystery? My word!—the whole affair is as clear as daylight. An interested party, or parties, must have been trying to find out the destination of the 'Fortuna' in order to try, and cut her out, as it were. What surprises me is that a rival expedition has not appeared on the scene before now; but let them come," he added bitterly; "they are welcome to what's left."
"Then you think theYachtsman's Fortnightly Journalis a myth!"
"Undoubtedly. There never was such a periodical, and it is merely a blind. Dirham was a traitor, though perhaps he acted in ignorance of the jeopardy, in which he might have placed us, thinking that he was merely giving commonplace information to a yachting paper; and I am convinced that, judging by the orthographical and grammatical errors in these letters, the author is none other than your Brazilian friend, the fellow you shot when he broke into our house."
"Your explanation seems plausible."
"Nothing could be more simple. The Brazilian received the particulars of the position of the island from Dirham, who, judging by the postmarks and addresses on these envelopes, sent the information from Port Said or Suez. It was after we left Malta, you remember, that the latitude and longitude of the island became an open secret. No doubt the villain, who may be a man of wealth or at least of considerable means, knew far more about the treasure than we are aware. He might have wormed part of the secret from Ross Trevena or his son during their residence near Pernambuco. However, he receives the information, for, as you see here, he acknowledges the receipt of it, and I'll be greatly surprised if a private steam-yacht has not been chartered to try and carry off the treasure before we arrived at the island."
"I should like to witness their disappointment," remarked my uncle.
"It would not be greater than mine is," replied my father, relapsing into a depressed tone at the thought of our ill-fortune. "Two poor fellows have been sacrificed to the lust of gold, and the bulk of the treasure lies at the bottom of the sea."
"You may recover it yet, 'sir," exclaimed the bos'n. "The divers are willing to make the attempt, and it may be that there is less water at the spot where the whaler sank than we know of."
"No, Mr. Wilkins," replied my father emphatically, "I'll have no more lives risked in the matter. The stuff can stay where it is. After all, we have not done so badly, if we do not take into consideration the two deplorable fatalities. The two large chests, four boxes of specie, and the gold plate are not to be sneezed at, and, as I have already announced to the crew, every man will be well provided for when the treasure is shared out. Even now we have done better than most of the treasure-hunting syndicates that have been formed in recent years, for we have a substantial balance in hand."
"Then we'll weigh anchor to-morrow, sir?" asked the bos'n. "Everything is shipshape—stores, water, and ballast are aboard."
"You must have worked well," exclaimed my father enthusiastically. "Yes, to-morrow at daybreak."
* * * * *
* * * * *
The rasping of the windlass and the clinking of the cable as it came slowly inboard were the welcome sounds that greeted my ears early the next morning, and, jumping out of my bunk, I proceeded to dress in order to have a glimpse of San Philipo Island before it was lost to view. But before I was half-way through that operation a hoarse voice shouted "Sail-ho!"
"What can that be?" I asked myself.
The next instant the bos'n came running down the companion, and, knocking at the door of my father's cabin, he exclaimed—
"A large steam-yacht approaching, sir!"
"Any flag?"
"No, sir; she shows no colours."
"How far away is she?"
"About two miles to the south-east, and she's making straight for the island."
"The rival treasure-seekers!" I exclaimed excitedly. "Now for some excitement," and, hastily completing my toilet, I rushed on deck, where Uncle Herbert, Dr. Conolly, and the crew, save those who manned the windlass, were intently watching the approach of the strange craft. Presently we were joined by my father.
The vessel, which had apparently been making about eleven knots, was now within half a mile, and her engines were eased down preparatory to anchoring. She was about two hundred tons displacement, with schooner bows, and carried two pole masts. With a telescope I saw the crew, clustered up for'ard, regarding us with the same curiosity that we were bestowing upon them. They were mostly dark-featured, some being black, and were rigged out in white canvas clothing and red-stocking caps. On the bridge were five or six men, evidently officers, in dark-blue uniforms; plentifully embellished with gold lace and buttons. A more inappropriate uniform for the tropics would be hard to obtain, unless it were a motor-coat; but it seemed evident from their love of finery; that these men came from a Latin nation—Italy or Spain, or one of their offshoots.
"Up and down!" shouted the bos'n, who was superintending the weighing of the anchor, referring to the fact that the chain had already taken the weight of our ground-tackle off the bottom'.
"Avast heaving!" he continued, at a sign from my father, and the clanking of the winch ceased, the dripping anchor hanging just clear of the surface. In the tideless sea, with not a breath of wind to ruffle the absolutely calm water, the "Fortuna" lay motionless, awaiting the approach of her rival.
"Blest if I don't know 'er!" exclaimed one of the crew. "Why, if she ain't the old 'Ermyhony' that used ter lie off Priddy's. 'Ard when I was in the 'Nelson' I'll eat my 'at."
"The what did he say?" I asked the doctor.
"The 'Hermione' I suppose he means," he replied with a smile.
"Hoist our colours," ordered my father, and the blue ensign was run up to the mizzen-truck, where it hung motionless in the still atmosphere.
The strange yacht still held on her course, and slowly, so slowly that it seemed like an exhibition of sulky reluctance, her ensign was hoisted, and simultaneously, with a heavy splash and a loud rattle of chain, the anchor was let go.
To me, her colours, as they hung in folds from her mainmast head, appeared to be a mixture of blue, green, and yellow, but my ignorance of their nationality was dispelled by a general exclamation, "The Brazilian ensign!"
"There you are! Am I not right?" said my father.
"Yes," replied Uncle Herbert, who was studying the group on the bridge through a glass. "And see that fellow by the chart-house door, the second from the end? I would know him anywhere in spite of his brass-bound togs. It's our old acquaintance,aliasJames Ticket, right enough. But see him scowl!"
"They're signalling, sir," said Lord, the quartermaster, as a string, of bunting fluttered up from her bridge.
"International code: 'I want to communicate,'" reported the bos'n.
"Reply in the negative," repeated my father; "and give my compliments to the Editor of theYachtsman's Fortnightly."
The motor throbbed, and the "Fortuna," gathering way, showed her stern to the Brazilian yacht, the crew of which were dividing their attention between the vessel that had baulked their enterprise and the gaunt outlines of the hulk of the "San Philipo," as, raised on the summit of the reef, she stood out boldly against the cliffs of the treasure island.
In another hour we had caught a favouring breeze, and the scene of our many and varied adventures had disappeared beneath the horizon. The "Fortuna" was homeward bound.
* * * * *
* * * * *
Little remains to be said concerning the "San Philipo" treasure. The "Fortuna" had a long, though pleasant, passage home, Dr. Conolly leaving the yacht at Singapore, where he received a cablegram from London offering him his long-desired post as medical officer on a liner.
Yadillah took his discharge at Suez, and, with a fair share of the spoils, announced his intention of setting up as a bumboatman at that port.
Eighteen months after our departure the "Fortuna" entered Fowey Harbour, where an enthusiastic welcome awaited us.
Once more we were back in our home at Polruan, Alec Johnston remaining as a trusted servant. The rest of the crew of the "Fortuna" have scattered far and wide, but we frequently hear from most of them, while the bos'n and the quartermaster, who have bought pretty little cottages near Falmouth, often pay us a welcome visit.
The proceeds of the residue of the treasure have been judiciously invested, and the only thing that apparently troubles my father is the importunities of the Inland Revenue authorities.
One link serves to remind me forcibly of the past. Over the door of the now rebuilt summer-house that had played an important part in this story is fixed the huge graven image which we had brought from the treasure island; and I never look at it without vividly recalling the terrifying ordeal I underwent when lying bound and helpless before the figure-head of the "San Philipo."
UNWIN BROTHERS, LIMITED, THE GRESHAM PRESS, WOKING AND LONDON
UNWIN BROTHERS, LIMITED, THE GRESHAM PRESS, WOKING AND LONDON
image: 07_adventure.jpgTHE BOY'S LIBRARY OF Adventure and Heroism
image: 07_adventure.jpgTHE BOY'S LIBRARY OF Adventure and Heroism
An excellent series of Gift Books, of good bulk, handsomely printed, illustrated and bound. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, coloured wrappers.4s. net.
The Fifth Form at St. Dominic's.By TALBOT BAINES REED.A lively and thoroughly healthy tale of Public School life; abounding in stirring incident and in humorous descriptions.
A Hero in Wolfskin.By Tom BEVAN.A Story of Pagan and Christian.A young Goth performs feats of valour against the Roman legions, and dazzles a huge audience with his prowess in the Coliseum.
The Adventures of Val Daintry in the Graeco-Turkish War.By V. L. GOINGA bright and vigorous story, the main scenes of which are laid in the last war between Turkey and Greece.
The Adventures of a Three-Guinea Watch.By TALBOT BAINES REED.A straightforward story of school-life, and of the duties and temptations of young men entering upon the work of life.
The Cock-House at Fellsgarth.A Public School Story. By TALBOT BAINES REED.The juniors' rollicking fun, the seniors' rivalry, the school elections and football match are all told in a forcible manner.
Wild Life in Sunny Lands.By GORDON STABLES, M.D., R.N.A capital book of some butterfly-hunters' adventures, including fighting bears, and penetrating trackless jungles in various Oriental regions, told in this author's usual vivid style.
A Dog with a Bad Name.By TALBOT BAINES REED.The story of a big, ungainly youth who seemed fated to be misunderstood, and to be made the butt of his comrades.
The Master of the Shell.By TALBOT BAINES REED.Dealing with the pranks of schoolboys, bubbling over with mischief and fun, and the trials of a young House-Master.
From Scapegrace to Hero.By ERNEST PROTHEROE.The Scapegrace, who became a thorough-going hero, was a wild, unmanageable village boy possessing an inveterate taste for mischief.
My Friend Smith.By TALBOT BAINES REED.A first-rate story dealing with the temptations and difficulties boys meet with when entering upon business life.
Comrades under Canvas.By FREDERICK P. GIBBON.A breezy, healthy tale, dealing with the adventures of three Boys' Brigade companies during their annual camp.
Parkhurst Boys,and other Stories of School Life. By TALBOT BAINES REED.A collection of stories from The Boy's Own Paper, containing some of this popular author's best work and brightest wit.
Reginald Cruden.By TALBOT BAINES REED.Depicting the last days at school of Reginald Cruden, who then starts in business at the bottom of the ladder.
Roger Ingleton, Minor.By TALBOT BAINES REED.A bright, vigorous story for boys, introducing the reader to various characters, all drawn with this well-known author's usual skill and power.
For Queen and Emperor.By ERNEST PROTHEROE.A vivid description of the deadly struggle of the undisciplined Britons against the victorious Romans, in which the exploits of Boadicea are depicted.
The Cruise of "The Golden Fleece."By SARDIUS HANCOCK.This stirring story of the days of Queen Mary is full of exciting adventure, with battles on sea and on land.
That Boy of Fraser's.By ERNEST PROTHEROE.David Fraser passed through many troubles caused by the disappearance of his father; how he encountered them makes invigorating reading.
A Collegian in Khaki.By WILLIAM JOHNSTON.A South African war story abounding in adventure. The hero is taken prisoner, escapes, and takes part in many battles.
With Rifle and Kukri.By FREDERICK P. GIBBON.The many heroic deeds called forth by England's "little wars" along the Indian frontier are here narrated in stirring language.
Meltonians All!By F. COWLEY WHITEHOUSE.A first-rate story of school-life and after, full of vim and stirring incidents. Jim, Ken and Goggles make a fine trio.
Myddleton's Treasure.By ERNEST PROTHEROE.Railway accidents, the evil doings of those in power, a shipwreck, and adventures in Africa all help to make up a thrilling story.
The Baymouth Scouts.By Tom BEVAN.A thrilling story, especially suitable for Boy Scouts, of the days of Napoleon, and his threatened invasion of England.
The Last of the Paladins.By CHARLES DESLYS.A romance of the chivalry of the Middle Ages, of gallant knights and beautiful ladies, of battles and heroic feats.
Rollinson and I.By W. E. CULE.The Story of a Summer Term. An attractive tale of schoolboy life, detailing a broken friendship, much misunderstanding, repentance, and finally reconciliation between the two characters in the title-role.
Under the Edge of the Earth.By F. H. BOLTON.A schoolmaster with a genius for mathematics has various hobbies, one of which proves useful in the rescuing of a kidnapped boy.
Derrick Orme's Schooldays.By EDITH C. KENYON.Describes the experiences and persecutions of a high-minded Colonial lad by a bullying schoolfellow, who is at last driven to admit his transgressions.
Sir Ludar.By TALBOT BAINES REED.A stirring tale of the days of Queen Elizabeth, dealing with the wonderful adventures of a sturdy 'prentice-lad.
Tom, Dick and Harry.By TALBOT BAINES REED.A splendid story, exhibiting in the highest degree this popular author's knowledge of schoolboy life and humour.
LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.
LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.
image: 08_boys_own.jpgThe Boy's Own Series
image: 08_boys_own.jpgThe Boy's Own Series
Excellent stories by popular authors, attractively bound, and well illustrated. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, coloured wrappers,3s. 6d. net.
Max Victor's Schooldays: the Friends he made and the Foes he conquered.By S. S. PUGH.This history of the friends Max made and the foes he conquered, makes up a very interesting story of schoolboy life that is full of incident.
The Martyr's Victory.By EMMA LESLIE.A Tale of Danish England. A stirring tale of the ninth century, dealing with the ravages of the East Anglian Danes on the fields of Mercia and Wessex.
Gentleman Jackson.By H. FREDERICK CHARLES.A Story of London Life. A lad starts in life heavily handicapped by a drunken father, but succeeds by hard work in attaining an honourable position.
The Story of a City Arab.By GEORGE B. SARGENT.Describes the life of a poor, neglected youth, brought up amid wretchedness, and shows how honesty may enable the very poorest to surmount the difficulties of their position.
Harold, the Boy Earl.By J. F. HODGETTS.A Story of Old England. A stirring tale of Saxon England, full of adventure and facts relating to the life and thrilling deeds of those exciting times.
Ilderim, the Afghan.By DAVID KER.A Tale of the Indian Border. A stirring and highly imaginative tale of India, in which three lads have many exciting and thrilling adventures while engaged in fighting the Afghans.
Adventures In the South Pacific.By ONE WHO WAS BORN THERE.The hero passes through hurricanes and famines; and perilous risks from man-eaters, sharks, and other foes of the human race.
Captain Cook. His Life, Voyages and Discoveries.By W. H. G. KINGSTON.The life and labours of this well-known explorer, his discoveries and various adventures among the South Sea Islands, are graphically described.
The Heir of Bragwell Hall.By ALFRED BEER.A powerful story, in which the young heir, an objectionable person, encounters many disasters in a tour round the world; these change his whole character.
The Wallaby Man.By Dr. A. N. MALAN, F.G.S.The "Wallaby Man" keeps a tame kangaroo. Two schoolboys attracted by the animal get mixed up, unwillingly, in two robberies. A very amusing story.
Untrue to His Trust;or, Plotters and Patriots. By HENRY JOHNSON.A masterly tale of life and adventure during that interval of suspense between the death of Cromwell and the return of the "Merry Monarch."
Kormak, the Viking.By J. FREDERICK HODGETTS.This vigorous story abounds in exciting incidents, and depicts vividly the life on land and sea of our old Viking ancestors.
Cyril's Quest;or, O'er Vale and Hill in the Land of the Inca. By A. GRAY.Hal proceeds to Peru in search of treasure, and is lost. His brother goes after him, and their adventures and final success are well depicted.
The Voyage of "The Stormy Petrel."By W. C. METCALFE.A stirring tale of an adventurous voyage in which exciting incidents, narrow escapes, and strange experiences follow one another in rapid succession.
Duck Lake.By E. RYERSON YOUNG.Stories of the Canadian Backwoods.The bush life of the settlers is pictured with a graphic pen, and there are a number of sensational episodes, including a bear hunt.
The Settlers of Karossa Creek,and other Stories of Australian Bush Life. By LOUIS BECKE.A sturdy family of selectors win success in spite of drought, bush fires, and the enmity of a couple of desperate ruffians.
The Specimen Hunters.By J. MACDONALD OXLEY.A Story of Adventure in India and the Far East.Professor Orde, with his two nephews, has many thrilling adventures and hairbreadth escapes while in quest of specimens of wild animals in the Far East.
Out in the Silver West.By Dr. CORDON STABLES, R.N.A Story of Struggle and Adventure.Depicting, in Dr. Gordon Stables' usual vivid style, the difficulties, hardships and experiences peculiar to early settler life in the Argentine Republic.
The Camp Doctor,and other Stories. By E. RYERSON YOUNG.A splendid series of stories dealing with settler and Indian life in the back-woods of Canada; full of incident and excitement.
In the Van of the Vikings.By M. F. OUTRAM.A fascinating story of the Vikings, whose courage and skill in fighting is always attractive, skilfully woven from real Norwegian history and tradition.
In the Heart of the Silent Sea.By F. H. BOLTON.An up-to-date story of intense interest for boys who love adventure and exciting situations, and illustrating the possibilities of the airship.
Bob Marchant's Scholarship.By ERNEST PROTHEROE.A capital story of school life. Bob Marchant, a noble, generous-hearted fellow, gained distinction in spite of adverse circumstances and untold difficulties.
The Heroism of Lancelot.By JEANIE FERRY.Lancelot is bitter at first against his twin brother Rex, but eventually risks his life for him, and later risks his whole career as well.
Jack Safford.By WILLIAM WEBSTER.A Tale of the East Coast.A thrilling story of adventure on land and sea. Jack, among other things, had to find a way out of a very awkward predicament.
Allan Adair;or, Here and There in Many Lands. By Dr. GORDON STABLES, R.N.Allan sees the world with a vengeance, circumnavigating the globe, and having a succession of miraculous escapes from death in all conceivable forms.
Gallant Sir John.By SARDIUS HANCOCK.Sir John performs many deeds of daring at Agincourt. The schemes hatched against him are all brought to naught, and he marries the lady of his choice.
The Voyage of the "Blue Vega."By Dr. GORDON STABLES, R.N.A brisk, dashing story, full of wild adventure. The weird description of the frozen ship and crew is thrilling and blood-curdling.
St. Merville's Scholarship Boys.By ERNEST PROTHEROE.Two boys climb from an Elementary to a Public School, where they meet with exciting adventures, especially in combating the schemes of the school bully.
Young Sir Ralph.By M. E. FRASER.Ralph is haughty, sulky, wilful and disobedient, but he is eventually teased out of his selfish ways by several young persons with whom he stays.
The Boy Settler;or, The Adventures of Sidney Bartlett. By H. C. STOKER.Stirred by a desire for adventure, Sydney Bartlett joins the New Zealand Mounted Police during the Maori War, and afterwards becomes a settler in that country.
The Heroes of Castle Bretten.By M. S. COMRIE.The hero is a lad of indomitable courage, and, with his friend, has many exciting adventures before he finally succeeds in tracing his lost father.
Branan, the Pict.By M. F. OUTRAM.A Story of the Days of St. Columba.A slave boy only discovers that he is a king after he has saved his young mistress from the long-lived vengeance of a rejected suitor.
John Delmayne's Ambitions.By MARK WINCHESTER.John joins an expedition to the heart of Africa. His terrible experiences with the Ruga Ruga tribe and his remarkable escape are told with great cleverness.
LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.
LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.
image: 09_splendid.jpgSplendid Tales for Boys
image: 09_splendid.jpgSplendid Tales for Boys
Full of excitement, incident and adventure, yet pure and wholesome reading throughout.
Illustrated. Crown 8vo, or large crown 8vo, cloth gilt.
Jeffrey of the White Wolf Trail.By J. CLAVERDON WOOD. 5s. net.Tells in a stirring way how a schoolboy, after many rough experiences as a scout, Indian fighter and ranchman, finally became a wealthy mine-owner.
Sinclair of the Scouts.By CLAVERDON WOOD. 5s. net.An exciting story of thrilling incidents, hairbreadth escapes, and daring adventures. For skill, pluck, ability and confidence Tom is hard to beat.
Branan, the Pict.By M. F. OUTRAM. 3s. 6d. net.A slave boy only discovers that he is a king, after he has saved his young mistress from the long-lived vengeance of a rejected suitor.
The Conscience of Roger Treherne.By E. EVERETT-GREEN. 3s. net.Roger's warfare with himself, a year or so of storm and stress, is powerfully and skilfully told.
In Pursuit of a Phantom.By E. EVERETT-GREEN. 2s. 6d. net.An up-to-date tale of society with its bridge-playing and gambling, and the consequences that follow in their train.
John Delmayne's Ambitions.By MARK WINCHESTER. 3s. 6d. net.John joins an expedition to the heart of Africa. His terrible experiences with the Ruga Ruga tribe and his remarkable escape are told with great cleverness.
Marcus Stratford's Charge;or, Roy's Temptation. By E. EVERETT-GREEN. 3s. net.Roy had much to contend with, and for a time gave way to unworthy suspicions, but he at length conquered temptation.
In Quest of Hatasu.By IRENE STRICKLAND TAYLOR. 3s. net.Graphically describes the search for the tomb of the ancient Queen of Egypt, while the final scene and combat with Arab tomb riflers, and the explosion, give a decided thrill.
LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.
LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.
Transcriber's Notes:This book contains a number of misprints.The following misprints have been corrected:[and the puzzle is, What] —>[and the puzzle is, what][asked Hicks, knocking] —>[asked Hinks, knocking] (*)[immesiately stopped the engine] —>[immediately stopped the engine][Do you think they heard the shot on board the 'Fortuna'!] —>[Do you think they heard the shot on board the 'Fortuna'?][A Tale of the East Cost] —>[A Tale of the East Coast]*) The name "Hinks" occurs 8 times in the text, "Hicks" just once. Also from the surrounding text it becomes clear that it must be "Hinks"An Illustrations-list has been added after the Contents-list.A few illustrations didn't have a description. A description has been provided by the transcriber to make reference to it possible. To distinguish them from the other illustrations, the description is put in lower-case.Several illustrations depict tables with numbers. These tables have been converted to text in the plain text version.There are two "misprints" in the illustrations depicting tables:1) The illustration of "The unsolved cipher" should show an extra seconds-mark. This becomes clear when you compare it with the illustration of "THE SOLVED CIPHER", where you can see an extra seconds-mark to the right of the second degrees-mark.2) "THE SOLVED CIPHER" shows totals in the top-row and totals in the last column on the right. The total in the top-row, 6th square, should be "191" instead of "19".A few cases of punctuation errors were corrected, but are not mentioned here.
This book contains a number of misprints.The following misprints have been corrected:[and the puzzle is, What] —>[and the puzzle is, what][asked Hicks, knocking] —>[asked Hinks, knocking] (*)[immesiately stopped the engine] —>[immediately stopped the engine][Do you think they heard the shot on board the 'Fortuna'!] —>[Do you think they heard the shot on board the 'Fortuna'?][A Tale of the East Cost] —>[A Tale of the East Coast]*) The name "Hinks" occurs 8 times in the text, "Hicks" just once. Also from the surrounding text it becomes clear that it must be "Hinks"An Illustrations-list has been added after the Contents-list.A few illustrations didn't have a description. A description has been provided by the transcriber to make reference to it possible. To distinguish them from the other illustrations, the description is put in lower-case.Several illustrations depict tables with numbers. These tables have been converted to text in the plain text version.There are two "misprints" in the illustrations depicting tables:1) The illustration of "The unsolved cipher" should show an extra seconds-mark. This becomes clear when you compare it with the illustration of "THE SOLVED CIPHER", where you can see an extra seconds-mark to the right of the second degrees-mark.2) "THE SOLVED CIPHER" shows totals in the top-row and totals in the last column on the right. The total in the top-row, 6th square, should be "191" instead of "19".A few cases of punctuation errors were corrected, but are not mentioned here.
*) The name "Hinks" occurs 8 times in the text, "Hicks" just once. Also from the surrounding text it becomes clear that it must be "Hinks"
An Illustrations-list has been added after the Contents-list.
A few illustrations didn't have a description. A description has been provided by the transcriber to make reference to it possible. To distinguish them from the other illustrations, the description is put in lower-case.
Several illustrations depict tables with numbers. These tables have been converted to text in the plain text version.
There are two "misprints" in the illustrations depicting tables:
1) The illustration of "The unsolved cipher" should show an extra seconds-mark. This becomes clear when you compare it with the illustration of "THE SOLVED CIPHER", where you can see an extra seconds-mark to the right of the second degrees-mark.
2) "THE SOLVED CIPHER" shows totals in the top-row and totals in the last column on the right. The total in the top-row, 6th square, should be "191" instead of "19".
A few cases of punctuation errors were corrected, but are not mentioned here.