The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-06-03
THE BANKERS CRIME
Diamond Cut Diamond.
By NATHAN D. URNER.
CHAPTER XvI.-(Continued.)

The place of meeting chsnced to be
deeply shadowed and lonesome. He could
be as relentless and determined as death
itself on occasion, and he would not have
hesitated, under that supposition, to leap
from his horse and clutch his prize at the
dagger's point or the muzzle Of the re-
volver. But he was not long in deciding
that extreme measures would not be re.
quired.
you seem strangely dispirited for one
who has enjoyed himself he said,
lightly.
said Jasper, With dogged air. In the
first place, I had barely stirred abroad
before I was aware of my being watched.
dogged, and shadowed by some sort of
spy. He may even now be lurking some
where in the skirt of this wood. in spite
OF the lift received. This convinces me-
that both Gilbert and Croak are deter
mined to hunt me down, if possible,
which is far from agreeable to think Of.
paper this morning has vanished into air.
I begin to feel myself powerless as we'll
ss penniless."
Il wouldn't take it too much to heart"
counseled the adventurer, preparing
to ride on. Your bad luck may change"
Then, as he was moving of, another
thought occurred to him, and, hating,
once more, he added: -.
by the way, that queer little lad Of
yours made his appearance at the lodge
this morning, and I engaged him at
once"
He shouldn't have my Recommendation
. second time, the miserable little in,
grate!" cried Jasper, with sudden burst
Of anger that surprised Boncourt. Curse
the imp? He was only too glad to leave
me, when I mentioned your offer, and
only replied to my natural upbraidings by
q string of oaths that would have dis,
graced fish woman"
He shook his staff Indignantly as he
spoke, and trudged of down the dusty
road, while Boncourt continued on his
way in much easier frame of mind.
As he approached The Beeches, he
saw Noel standing with several other
young men on the terrace, and single
glance was confrmatory of what Jasper
had averred In the matter of the missing
paper. o,.o,
his costume, substituting for the dark,
expensive garments it was his custom to
wear at nearly all times suit of light
gray material, and presumably leaving
his papers in the inside pocket Of his
discarded coat.
So Boncoprt, as we'll as Jasper, had had
his excitement and uneasiness for his
pains.
However, the approach of the former
had been observed from the terrsce, and,
though he had not yet succeeded in gain
ing very familiar footing with Noel's
aristocratic friends, it would hardly do
Ter him to turn back without affording
some excuse for his visit.
He accordingly rode up, was welcomed
cordially, and: after communicating to
Noel q verbal message which he pre-
tended to have brought from Adele, was
requested to remain throughout the day.
which he did, with but little profit, il
with good deal Of the sort of enjoyment
for which he had no especial care. We
shall, therefore, find 1t more interesting
for the present to return to Jasper Mar
lowe.
No sooner was be we'll separated from
Boncourt, after their brief meeting on
the road. than he paused and Looked after
fhe retreating horseman, with sudden
. little knowledge on his own part,
SaOuSa POiadEo Ooe oO"4y oSAo AAA
the art Of dissimulation.
"Ah, Boncourt!" he muttered to HIM
self: you doubtless still deem me the
weak, crsua.,,ccys creature that yo1 knew
OF old, when i..Tss not IN your selash In
atofe-. to wrest the instrument Of my
rights and my vengeance from my hands.
Last nights revelat on Of your true
nature was only wanting to warn me that
you can only be met with your own
wuapons-heartlessn and deception!
without the additional insight into your
motives subsequently accorded me by the
purest accident.
$50 your sister is to marry Noel, eh?
And you would clinch the bargain, still
not perfectly assured, and rivet your
claims yet more hopelessly upon my gull
ty cous n, by cheating me out of my proof
Of his criminalty and my own innocence,
would you? Well and good! We shall
zee VIII ch Of tho two elements thus antag-
onistic will triumph in the cnd-just ce
and truth, as repre- ionted by me, or the
Eamester's sordid cupiditv, as embodied
In yourself. But how bitterly might You
regret this change in yonr attitude to me,
could you guess the service had de-
p signed rendering you, and which must
now be deferred-perhaps never per-
formed"
He had turned and continued his jour-
while thus n, r,utterinC to himself. and
now suddenly brought MS sollIoqay 10 On
end. perceiving another foot-traveler
making his way along the skirt of the
wood some distance in advance.
Jasper at once recognized the figure as
that of O man whom he had noticed dog
ping his footsteps in the earlier morning,
but resolved to keep his suspicions to
himself.
He therefore quickened his pace, and
wished the fellow cheery greeting upon
uvertaking him.
OF course it was Wormer. who, feeling
secure in his disguise-which was that
of rough drover or rustic laborer-re-
turned the greeting in the sC:-Y manner
characteristic of the lower classes of Cor
nishmen, but. nevertheless. betrayed nc
aversion to the chance companionship
protfeled. =,
With an unsuspicious ait, but secretly
wary of the others every movement, JAS
Der rudged along at his side, asking nu'
merous questions pertaining to the coun:
try through which they were passing, and
receiving monosyllabic responses, Tor the
main part. until they reached the m In
street Of Hiehcomba. Here he came to a
PAUSE, in the determination of giving the
fellow friendly hint at parting. .,
BE We COON SO soon, MASTER" salo
the etended lout. with sudden and
unex pected display Of interest. le seem
20 be from fu,r.n PARTS. Might Ak 5e
may be. an vheer froom. mnsters