The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-07-24

and 20 recompense you for the services you
rendered him. He had bis pocket book
stuffed full of money"
Course his money. Do you think all the
gold in the world would pay me back DO
| you think I'd take penny from him. l
wrote to him from here when / first came
out Of prison to tell him that know him
for the villain be was, and bidding him as
! be valued his life to keep away from me.
l mean that still Let him go on knocking
he'll get tired and go away"
But still the intruder Numbered at the
| door.
Soon ROYAL was struck with an idea.
"If you don't want the money he doesn't
seem able to take care OF, l do. Why
shouldn't he come in and have chat with
/ you, while relieve him. If you are too
| squsamish."
az tell you will have nothing to do with
him"
THAT'S no reason why I shouldn't. &"
! grumbled Royal.
Hes had one lesson already that he
won't forget" said the Rat.
Eyes, butterfngers at London bridge
tried, aud made q nice meas OF IT," was the
innocent reply. But a warm welcome an
invitation to supper, drinks, and a game Of
| poker. would do the trick, il only you'd put
your feelings in your pockets" A gesture
warned him TO dismiss any hope OF assis-
tance from his companion while the knock
ing continued with increasing vigor.
"Look here, said Royal, this can't go
on. He'll be bringing the whole place
about our ears II we don't let him in"
The elder man, however. remained obdu-
rate until, after listening awhile at the slit +,
Royal added, II think l hear Sleeps
voice"
This was a nickname given by the light
fingered gentry to well-known spy Of MIR.
Ferret's.
The Rat reused himself and muttered. II
suppose We must see what he wants"
He opened the door, and the hunchback
stepped in. Cousin -" be began, hold
ing out his hand. What do you want
with mep was the curt question, the speak
er's fingers locked behind him.
"Wantr with boarse laugh, "Why only
to see you for old acquaintance sake, and
show Pm not so proud as the rest of the
family. whatever you are"
''Stopl there's no need for more lies. II
that's all you've come for the sooner you go
the better"
You're not very hospitabls, cousin, I"
said the hunchback, In a tone Of injured in
nocsncs. ~ know things have gone bard
with you, but shat didn't prevent me find
ing you out the very day after l landed.
thinking We might make night Of it to-
gether. though to be sure this is a poor
place enough"
Royal had already lighted candle, and
by It's flame the eerie creature peered nerv-
ously round him.
II tell you it will be safer for you if you
co.
"GoF' said the hunchback, "Why, I reck-
oned on bed with you"
They had shared the same pillo W as happy
lads, but he, who for the others fault had
tossed night after night upon prison pail
let, would sooner have lain dead In his cof-
I'm than have trusted himself beside that
misshapen form now, aud he was not wrong
in sHoh mistrust
The hsnchback glanced at Royal.
surely am not mistaken You are the
| gentleman who 80 obhgingly came to my
| assistance when that scoundrel tripped me
| up and tried to rob me of my pocket book.
Do you know, Mr.. Ferret declares il was
the Rat himseifl Devil take him he nearly
got it" And the hunchback produced the
pocket book stuffed full with the notes
Royal coveted.
That gentleman's eyes giittered.
81 am friend Of your COUSIN" he said,
II came with the same intent as yourself
to challenge him TO a bottle and game Of
poker. but he won't be sociable."
well, at any rate be won't be mucous
IDLY enough TO turn me out Of doors in this
suow,n said the hunchback, land as I've
made up my mind for night of it, don't
care who l drink or play with, II you don's
MIND drinking or playing win me-.
Royal was uususpicious Of this persistence.
He knew that the snow was falling heavily,
and the hunohbaok was wet through aud
tired with his long tramp. The digger life
which he had plainly been leading was, too,
one In which shady partners merely added
zest to the garue, il only from the skillfnl
''shsrping" displayed.
Royal drew tho table closer to the empty
CRATE and pushed up two chairs.
81 never refuse good OFFER" he said,
with a laugh, producing several packs Of
cards
But he had reckoned without tho Rat.
81 tell you I'll see you - before you
play cards here" he exclaimed, and push
ing aside Royal he strobe up to the hunch-
back and dragged him 20 the door.
I've warned you once not to try my
patience too far. Go now, before l remem-
Der too well what owe to your foul treach-
cry. and forget that loved you once.
The hunchback lost his sang frOid and
made no resistance as the door was opened
TO thrust him forth into the stormy street.