Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-10-22
AVENGED AT LAST; Or, a World Wide Chase.
A STORY OF RETRlBUTION.


 not, he possessed no clew of any kind on which to work.
 The early part of the evening passed pleasantly enough. Percy continued to win and so did the gentleman who had given him the warning on the last occa- sion of their playing But after mid night-the turn came In an incredibly short space of time the Spaniard's pile was reduced to almost nothing, and Percy also played a losing game. All of a sudden he detected the unpleasant fact that they were being cheated. When he made this discovery he did not hesitate a moment, but threw down his cards and refused to play. The Span iards and Mir. Emerick stared at him in amazement and asked the reason. Lean- ing back in his chair and quietly light ing a cigar, he said, as he puffed away without the slightest regard to conse- quences: Because this game is crook od."
 Every man except the Spaniard who had warned Percy jumped to his feet. ''Sir," they said in unison, "what do you mean by thls insult?" Precisely what said," the cool and undaunted Englishman replied.
 "Such insults may pass unnoticed in England" said Mir. Emerick, with as- sumed haughtiness, but here things are different The insult which you have offered us can only be wiped out in one way"
 "On the modern French plan or in the stern realityP" asked Percy, who could not resist the temptation to hurl sheer at the man for whom he had conceived such Q strong dislike.
 I've have but one plan here," spoke up tall, mustached Spaniard, land that is to fight to the death."
 "Undoubtedly a very good one, too, but do you propose that should fight each of you singly, will you all bounce upon me at once, or do take my choice of opponent?" was Percy's reply. made as easily as though he was engineering his way on an unfamiliar street. The Spaniards at once commenced speaking rapidly to each other, at the same time casting angry glances at Percy, but he | never flinched.
 During this conversation Percy's thoughts chased each other through his mind with lightning swiftness. If he | fought, his opponent must be this man Emerick. And what if Emerick should prove the better man? In that case it
 
 was. He felt that he had made mis- take in offending these hot-headed Spaniards. Truc, there was one who would probably render hial assistance, l but even he could notNbe relied upon. | Percy had no faith at all in men of their nationality.
 In a few moments they ceased their confab, and Mir. Emerick, acting as spokesman, said:
 I've have decided that you must 1 either name one of us gentlemen to fight with weapons which you shall be | allowed to choose or prepare to be treated as q coward and liar"
 choose the latter," answered Percy. Ut is not exactly natural to an English man to back out when there Is any fight sition. This gentleman on my right l will perhaps act as my second" The man alluded to was the one he had walked home with a week before, and he agreed to act for Percy. Then l Lovel pondered for a moment before he proceeded to name his opponent Each of the Spaniards stood eying him as much as to say: "Oh, please take me; l 1 English blood on the fertile plains of this Republic; only give me the chance" |" | The coolest of the lot was MT. Emerick, who seemed as unconcerned and indif- ferent as Lovel himself. But Percy was not considering whom he should fight; on that point his mind was fully made up. He had other thoughts in his mind. | He seemed, as 1t were, in trap. He l F,,ll hat f hn i'm red the anger of these men he might never leave tho place alive, and his body | might float out on the next tide to the ocean. It was a bold break he was about to make, but it meant great deal. If he was to be killed, he wanted to know who killed him. If he killed, he proposed to know whom he had l killed. He stood erect, his enemies be- l ing on one side the table and himself on | the other.
 | Looking Mr. Emerick straight in the | eyes he riveted that gentleman's gaze in such a manner that there was no es- | cape. Then in a clear, calm voice he uttered the words: "Leon TeL0Sgues will fight you"
 But if MT. Emerick was indeed Ve- lasquez, Percy's words took no apparent effect, for not muscle of the mer- chants face moved as he replied: ''There is no one of that name in the room; to whom do you refer?"
 "To you," answered Percy; "but will fight you under any name you wish"
 ''I fail to understand why you should address me by any name other than my own, but our seconds will make arrange ments, and am prepared at any time to meet you," was the reply.
 The tall Spaniard and tho gentleman whom Percy had named as his second then held a consultation and soon de- cided that the meeting should take place at daylight in Q secluded spot to the northwest of the town.
 Percy chose to fight with rapiers, as he was tolerably skillful in tho use of those weapons and felt more certain of | pattinu fair nlav. All arranpementS