The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-10-03
CONCLUSION.


 to my cabin to get little sleep. Theo- dore had not left his berth. The unhap. py boy was very ill, and looked so des. pondent that he took all thoughts oi sleep away from me. was more gr;eyed by his sufferings than by his folly, and exerted myself to the utmost to comfor, him.
 After leaving him again, stood at the port-hole, breathing the soft air. A gen.
 le touch upon the arm reused me from my contemplation. turned, and saw one of tue stewards with a letter in his hand for me. Greatly surprised, opened the envelope, and found the contents ran thus: L'Estrange has your money He is professional gambler, working with confederates. Go to him declare that you know him and his associates and that if he does not restore your money, you will bring the police to your assist. ance when you reach New York. Be firm and fear not for though he is man of desperate courage, he will not dare to harm you while on this ship. If you can not force him to yield by such arguments as suggest themselves to you, use the words Henry Evans'"
 l read this extraordinary missive over dozen times at least, each perusal add ing to my amazemept. Who was the writer, and why was enlightened as to L LEstrange's real character2 My suspi- cions had been right, then-the man was a beast of prey. No time must be lost had an unpleasant scene before me, and had better get it over without delay. 1 vent oa deck at once, examining all that met my view from the companion-door. L Estrange was not visible. 1 went slow ly rourd the decks, into the smoke room :; but did not find him. descended to the saloon; and at the far end he sat writing at table set apart for that pur- pose. Near him was several other gen. tlemen, one ot them the young man had spoken to al the beginning of the voyage. All were writing or reading. As stood before L Estrange, the gentle. men lifted their heads and eyed me in- quiringly.
 "Can have five minutes conversation with you, sir p demanded from LES trange.
 He started, pale for an instant, looked hurriedly round the table, then smiled :" should be happy to oblige you, sir" he answered in level voice but am writing just now
 Be good enough to suspend it; my business is urgent"
 What do you want ?" he asked, half scowling.
 "l cannot tell you here; you cabin is the flttest place for what have to say.'
 L'Estrange looked at me searchingly, while he preteuded to smile, as if amused ct my queer invitation. Can't you wait for halt an hour?"
 No i; not for half a minute"
 Well, you are curious person, I must say. l will grant yoer request, though it is inconvenient. suppose you want to talk about your brother?"
 bowed.
 LIE strange rose up, cast a careless glance upon the people sitting round, and led the way down the saloon. We did not exchange wor until he had got into the cabin, which was amidships ;; then he said, boiling the door: "Be quick with your conversation, for shall not spare more than the five minutes you ask for" He spoke haughtily, almost 
 "One minute will accomplish my pur- pose," l replied, looking at him s,ernly. ' The length of the convers atioa will de- pend upon you, not on me. Give me hat b4I5 you nave taken from my orothel."
 A cool, cynical smile was the response to my demand "Are you fool or a xnave, young man P asked LEs,range,
  times as much as your brother; why, hen, should give you money that have ieither won nor stolen ?"
 " Do not assume such an air with me-" cried angrily. "l know you"
 "Indeedl Then if you know Mir. L Estrauge, banker, of Wall street, New York, you should know that he is gen. leman of honor. But the five minutes sre nearly at an end"
 care not for time am here to ob- | ain my money for it is not my brothers ae stole it from my portmanteau
 Look h.re, young man." sad LES range, coming close to me aad staring hard into my eyes" look here. l tell | you, as gentleman, that h ave not got | my money of yours; and, vo1, if you l come any of your tricks over me, will ! ,and you over to the captain as a swind- ing scoundrel, trying to extort money by | hreats. There is the door, sir leave | ny cabin" The manner of the man was | 70 imposing, and the evidence of his na- ure so truculent, that for few seconds l | vas almost iu,imidated.
 L Estrange perceived his ad vantage, md put his and upon my shoulder to | hrust me outside. That touch brought | pack my coprsge. "Keep your hands 'ff me ]" cred passionately. "If you :annot persuade me to leave this room, 'ou will never put me out by force. Ag ain, l demand the money you have tolen under the sembiance ot gaming"
 A look of savage hatred grew slowly 'ver LEstrange's sinister features. He emained awhile thinking. though he 'retended to wait my resumption of he A fash of resolution at ength blazed in his dark eyes as he said ( You may thank my self-rommand