"Now," said Captain Plum, distributing the gold pieces among his
pockets, "I'll take that package."

This time the old man was gone for several minutes. When he returned he
placed a small package tightly bound and sealed into his companion's
hand.

"More precious than your life, more priceless than gold," he whispered
tensely, "yet worthless to all but the one to whom it is to be
delivered."

There were no marks on the package.

"And who is that?" asked Captain Plum.

The old man came so close that his breath fell hot upon the young man's
cheek. He lifted a hand as though to ward sound from the very walls that
closed them in.

"Franklin Pierce, President of the United States of America!"




CHAPTER II

THE SEVEN WIVES


Hardly had the words fallen from the lips of Obadiah Price than the old