The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-07-01


| with a wave of the hand.
Why, You actually look as if you
didn't believe it," exclaimed Wormer,
with an injured look. However, it's not
to be expected that you would feel very
happy, with that additional Penalty OF
five hundred pounds dangling before your
eyes. Well, as I was saying, Bug and l
kept hammering away at our man, and at
last, just as there came an awful fash and
crash, fetched him q rousing crack-or
Bug did, or we both did, or he stumbled
of his own accord whichever way you
choose-and down he went, fiat on his
face!"
-Ah!"
Then, just as was bending down, and
about to 60 through him, for that precious
bit of paper and everything he was worth,
crack, crack, crack! came five OF six pis-
tol shots from close 1T hand, and, if we
hadn't cut ana run, the gang or rescuers
would have been upon us. AS it was,
Bug was scratched in the thigh, and tall
running alone saved Us. AS We looked
back, fash showed the ground fairly
swarming with pursuers. The air was
thick with 'em!"
1Ah, to be sure! With men in buck
ram, I've no Doubt" sneered the banker,
whose opinion of the clerk-dete tective's
prowess had been by no means augme nted
his shaking-up.
1t is Just the least bit fishy, Wormer,"
said the lawyer, smilingly twiddling his
thumbs. However, you've failed. and
that's The end OF 1t, Tor the present-and
the paper is still in Jasper's possession.
You can believe me or not, just as you
| Y,1aola said W0rnner Gn1lan1v And ha
helped himself TO what brandy was re-
naming.
of course we can, and l, for my part,
don't believe single word of Your ridicu-
lous vaporings," snapped out Mr.. Mar
lowe. THE idea of band of armed
men coming to q friendless, beset fel
lows assistance! Pooh! You and your
cowardly comrade were simply beaten of,
single landed, and put to flight, and
that is the long and short of it."
You are liar" said Wormer, reach
ing for his cudgel, and with an ugly look
suddenly coming into his face. Come
on, you purse-proud old desperate. You
can try on that sgitative process again,
if you want, and without further fear of
being mulcted in money damages.
Mr.. Marlowe's wrath again began to
rise, and, but for the peace-making ef-
forts of the lawyer, there might have
been another exciting scene, perhaps with
permanently disruptive results. But,
after some time spent in angry discus.
sion, but ending in half meant apologies
and explanations from either side, some
thing like quiet and an approximate good
understanding were restored.
We'll, then" said Wormer, at last, If
Nou still have confidence in me I will
consent to 60 on with this business, but
on the distinct understanding that am
secured in the additional four hundred
pounds promised me. I'll remit the claim
Of ident fcation as particular favor to
Mr.. Marlowe."
And III meet you halfway, Wormer,'
said the banker, who had at last sue
ceeded in mastering at least the outward
m anifestations of his dissatisfaction.
Give me the writing materials. Croak.
I'll give him my note of hand for the four
hundred on the spot, but, of course.
with the provision that am TO receive
the missing manuserip, as an equivalent
before paying it
Good, good. Nov this is as it should
be among friends and passengers in the
same boat" saia Croak, rubbing his
hands cheerfully as he produced the writ
ing materials. Nothing like kindliness
nothing like amiable Christian feeling
among friends. I can tell you. What is
to be your next move, Wormer?"
Il have already formulated it." was the
business like reply, but there will have
m an won't be kelly to give Us another
chance at him in this neighborhood; but
I've found out-no matter how, or by
what means-that he is going up to Lon
don on Thursday-probably in the track
of Boncourt. who is to 60 OH the same
day with his sister. OF coulse, shall
shadow him-shall be at his elbow in
such disguise as will never be seen
through. Cnce in the streets of London
I shall, in one way or another, have him
at my mercy, sooner OF later, depend upon
it. Thank ZEE, Mr.. Marlowe! Much
obliged, am sure!"
He paused to examine and put away
the newly written note that was just then
handed him; and was about to continue,
when the banker, whose ears had been
oren whle his pen was at work, said:
Still, don't exactly understand. In
what way are you to have him at your
mercy?"
How can I exactly know, just now?
Bug shall precede mel will send him
to town to- o-morlow, with a fve-pounder
in his pocket. That, together with my
having only recently INHALED him in
these parts, will make him fairly lick his
chops for fresh scent He has among
his pals the most desperate footpads,
garroters, burglars, ct al, in the metrop-
oils. Leave it all to me. If can't go
through our man by less violent means.
he shall suddenly meet with some night
adventure in lonely street. The paper
shall be forthcoming"
1T would he an awful mistake, though,
If he should turn out not to have it all
to have placed it in Boncourt's safe.
keeping, for instance" said Marlowe,
anxiously.
-Whatl still harping on that doubt'
How can it be otherwise than IN Jaspers
possession?" exclaimed Wormer, half
angrily. when I was spying about the
premises of jasmine Lodge on Sunday
night, didn't see him take it out of his
bosom, unwrap its oilskin covering, and
exhibit it to Boncourt, while at the same
time apparently refusing to give it up at
the latters entreaty?"
Yes; but, according to your own ac.
count, your observation ended just az
that point. You don't know what may
have passed between them after that.
"Oh, Jasper hung on to the momentous
document, depend upon it. Why, doesn't
it stand to reason that he did? Would
Boncourt be likely to have you abso-
lutely in his power since that time with
out making you aware of it?"
Hardly, l grant you. But, then. why
has Jasper delayed SO long in using the
l@l