Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-07-17
piece of work for a good sumr"
"HoW muchpn

rufiian, starting to his feet. who is
hep I'll do il were he the Pope OF
Rome, II you'll show me the color OF
the gold, and give me earnest-money.
Who is hep"
The ruflian's eyes cleaned at the
thought of so great sum. A hideous
smile illuminated his face, his white
teeth cleaning savagely through the
thick. black beard.
Rudiga could not help regarding her
intended agent with loathing and dis
gust.
WHO is hep" she asked, not under.
standing his meaning.
yes whose throat am | to cutg
that's what | want to know he said.
with a hoarse laugh. "You don't Of
fer five thousand ducats for nothing"
Rudiga shuddered in spite of herself
at the GOODNESS with which he spoke OF
assassination.
MAN. it is not murder wish you to
do for money, but good and right
eous act.
"Gammonr' he said, grnning from
ear to ear. "People doE't give me five
thousand ducats for doing good and
righteous actions. If you are squeam-
ish about talking of it, just mention
the man name -that'l be enough for
me-and before Il week you'll hear of
his having met with a bad accident
run stiletto into his back, just be-
tween the shoulder-blades- and, poor
| fellow he will be found dead when il is
| too late for assistance. Then, when
/ the noise and talk attendant on this
! sad event shall have blown over, your
| humble servant will wait on YOU and
receive the balance of the money.
/ Come, now; is it not very pretty lit
tie plan? Everything done quietly,
and in a gentlemanly manner; no
noise; no fuss. Gentleman dead
easily satisfied and second gentleman
also satisfied by sum of gold as by
agreement.
Rudiga listened to all he said, half
in establishment at the cool audacity of
the fellow, half in horror.
The bravo, on the mention OF the
five thousand ducats, at once consid-
cred that so large a sum could only he
the price of blood. Nor was it easy TO
undeceive him.
you know not what you talk of,
man, nor do | fully understand you.
Such import, however, as | can gather
from your words fills me with horror
and repugnance. Know that the deed
/ wish you to accomplish, and pay YOU
so high price for, though not unac-
companied by danger, is not crime
Crime bah there is no such thing
as crime. All a foolish prejudice.
Why shouldn't kill a man in order to
get money for my supper, as well As a
king order the death of thousands in
battle to win province?'
"Silence! | will not discuss the
point, thou man of blood. The work |
wish YOU to do is to carry off a young
girl.
"And-" he drew his hand across
his throat significantly.
mo, no!-a thousand times no.!
she cried IL have told you did not
want your aid for deed of blood, but
for one of justice.
$50 have been told before he re-
piled, coolly; "but what my customers
call Justice generally involves a good
deal of blood-letting, and -
Enough of tbs she interrupted.
Listen, while | tell YOU what you will
have to do in order TO earn the prom
ised gold. have said that the deed is
just and righteous one. and not a
crime. IL is to carry off young girl
and consign her to the arms Of
"A young gallant with more money
than patience. Well, | don't object;
it's not the first affair of the kind I've
been engaged in. Only, as TO its being
just and righteous deed, that is a
matter of taste and opinion.
Stupid fool. VIII YOU be silent,
nor trouble me with your pirate, but
listen and let me finish? You are tc
carry off this young girl; not TO harm
her in any way. but TO restore her to
her mother from whom she was stolen
in infancy
"Phew!" he whistled. Here's 8
strange piece of business. I've car
ried of few girls in my time, but, by
all the saints, they were generally
taken from, instead of to. their moth
ers."
, Twill you undertake it for The
: money!
"Yes-yes. 1t seems simple enough
, Who is the girl, and to whom am | tC
: bring her?'
You will bring the girl to me--to ;
house in the country, which | will pro
vide. As to who she is will tell you
anon
! will there be trouble -resistanceP'
. There may be, but if you watcl
{ your opportunity, you may succeed
/ without other assistance than that o
/ one accomplice."
r "Ah! That will suit me. The fewe
4 In Job of the kind, the more homo
t and glory, and-ahem!-the more gol'
= to each.
: you are sure you can accomplish
e the deedp'
r Certain. You are sure you can pa,
me the money!"
| cay, though it were ten times tn
!, amount See, here are hundred gol'
: pieces as an earnest. Come To m
d house this evening, and will give yo'
o full particulars and instruction.
a Stay; one more question. Whel
must il be done?"
i Eat once-before week shall hav
r elapsed"
q "And about a certain prophecy yo
o did me the honor TO make in my favo
l. remember you itp-that ere
II month. Satan shall have claimed hi
own? Does il still hold goodP"
y 1.-The stars have said so. | know n
more. II is naught to me. 1t is you
o affair, not mine. Do your work,
y will give you the promised reward
IT then, die or live, as it pleaseth fate
g direct"
;, :, "A pleasant woman. truly" sal