Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1891-03-05

afford to lose, bnt ny suspicious that
the play at Mr.. Emericlls house VAS
not ALWAYS fair. were confirmed tonight
and give you warning. Be careful"
These words set Grey thinking, but
thew of course did not deter him from
going to Mr. Emerick's on that night
week.
During the time which intervened he
tool, a trip up the Rio de Ia Plata to one
of the river ports, and returned on the
morning of his appointment for the card
party.
When evening came Mr.. limerick
called for him at the hotel and together
thew went out to the merchants house.
Percy was left to himself for about half
an hour before dinner, and he occupied
most of the time with his thoughts he
could not by an means make up his mind
that this man limerick was the man he
was searching for. yet he could not give
I'D the idea that limerick was in hiding
for some purpose of his own. There was
| a slight resem blance to Nelasquez, as he
remembered that rascal, but so long a
time had elapsed since he used to watch
the high play at the gaming house In
San Francisco that il would be danger
ous to accuse this man Of being Mario
| DeIaro's murderer and then discover
| that he was altogether mistaken. Be
sides. in regard to finding out whether
he was the woman Bregy's husband or
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 Spaniards 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 Mr. limerick stared at him in
amazement and asked the reason. Lean
| ing back in his chair and quietly light
| ing cigar. he said, as he pulled away
| without the slightest regard to cOnSe-
| quences: Because this game is crook
| ed"
Every man except the Spaniard who
had warned Percy jumped to his feet.
Sir" they said in unison, what do
| YOU mean by this insult?' "Precisely
what said" the cool and undaunted
Englishman replied.
such insults may pass unnoticed in
| England said Mr.. limerick, with as
sumed haughtiness, but here things
| are different. The insult which you
| have offered US can only be wiped out
| in one way"
ION the modern French plan or in the
stern reality?' asked Percy. who could
not resist the temptation to hurl a sheer
at the man for whom he had conceived
such a strong dislike.
I'VE have but one plan here" spoke
up a tall, mustached Spaniard, and
tn at is to fight to the death"
Undoubtedly a very good one, too,
but do you propose that l should fight
each OF you singly, will you all pounce
upon me At once, or do l 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 Clances at Percy, but he
| never 1iinched.
| y
thoughts chased each other through his
mind with lightning swiftness. If he
fought, his opponent must be this man
| limerick. and what if limerick should
prove The better man? In that case it
might never be learned who he really
was He felt that he had made a mis-
take in offending these hot-headed
Spaniards. True, there was one who
would probably render him assistance,
but even he could not be relied upon.
Percy had no faith at all in men Of their
nationality.
In few moments they ceased their
confab, and Mr.. Limerick, acting as
spokesman, said:
I'VE have decided that you must
either name one of US gentlemen to
fight with weapons which you shall be
| allowed to choose or prepare to be
treated as a coward and liar
lit is hardly possible that 1 shall
choose the latter" answered. Percy. 1T