The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-08-21
CHAPTER x.
MAN TO MAN.

"You dog, you threaten"
1t was the Rat who spoke. or, rather
hissed.
ar you like to call it So" returned Royal,
as cooIly as ever. "It's a new game for me
to try, own, but l may hold the best
cardsn
''You fool, to try 30 bounce me with idle
hints and threats, when the truth [ could
tell would put the hsngman's rope round
your neck"
Royals face grew livid, and his eyes
seemed to start from his head. The hunch-
back would have done we'll TO let his ad
vantage alone, but there was a new hatred
OF his partner within him because of his
child, and all he had lost in her through
him, and his passion would out.
~ warn you to have a care how you try
me too far. Remember that If Sir Law
renoe Huntingford is a helpless cripple, the
Rat is as good man as you. Ay, and bet
teri BY heaven! II | have any more of
this folly from you you shall know it to
your costw
The word folly" called Royal to himself.
Il know that now,n be said, driven to
desperation by the home thrust he had re-
ceived. II know that a cat has nine lives,
and ordinary men only one. You may be
clever, Sir Lawrence. but don't try to break
the record, or l may beat you. You can,
and do live as Sir Lawrence HunttnGford,
but II you trT to play tho two, unless for
our business as tine INhb yOu anu ne
flushed the sentence by drawing his hand
across his throat.
The hunchback understood him well
enough,
"Dief" he asked in astonishmeut. "You
don't mean be hangedp
THAT is exactly what do mean" said
Royal, only it's too ugly fact to express
openly"
care you mad or drunk" asked Sir Law
renee, with half laugh. but keeping keen
watch upon his partners face. Il may he
punished for living as the dead baronet, il
am caught. say if. because don't think
it's at all likely now that I've got on all
right so far, but there is no question at all
as TO who will be hanged for the murder of
the poor wretch"
Il tell you when the swinging comes il
will be you, not l." said Royal, controlling
the fear which he evidently felt as best he
could.
Il be haugedr asked Sir Lawrence, con-
temptuously, and seeming to take delight
in repeating the word which was SO oonox-
ious to lis partner. And for what crime,
prayp
"For murder" answered Royal, forcing
himself to his task with an energy which
showed how desperate be knew his case 70
Indeed" returned Sir Lawrence with
laugh, at what seemed TO him a I'm joke,
land of whomP
Tho real Sir Lawrence" was the reply
Your crime you must indeed be of your
head, Royal"
Not half so mad as you have been in put
ting the rope round your own neck, as you
have DONE
You mean to deny that you killed him,
and Co mem
who's to prove itl You can't, that's a
certainty. To whose interest was his
deathl Who hid it'll"
Royal set forth his string Of evidence at
random, but be was already fast regaining
his self-control as he realized that tho
weapon he had taken up 10y chance was
likely to prove no poor one did he but WELD
il well.
al did all that, you couldn't" said the
baronet, coolly initiating his partners man
neT, not yet guessing the sudden idea which
had seized Royal of turning the tables.
But what Of 1t except your ssfetyp
Royal passed the limit Of mis- own inabil-
ity to save himself in his eaRerness 10 show
his advantage.
''What Of itf This Once it is proved
who you are and the whole trick exposed,
you have stood on too little ceremony with
law and justice for them to stand on aBy
with you"
"Onoe more, what do you mean" asked
the hunchback, sharply because into bis
mind had already flashed a faint ides OF
the trap which ne had made for himself,
once again suffering for his old folly VI do
inR evil that good might come.
That you are clearly the murderer Of
Lawrence Huntingford as IL you had done
what 1 did Everything points 10 you.