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


victory, bent on reaping remorselessly the
harvest which chance, or, as he believed,
his cunning. had placed in his hand.
Triumph" he said, throwing himself with
theatrical air into chair, already calcu-
lating the advantages he had gained and
planning new villanies. II think that it Ia
my game, after ALL"
What do you wantP' cut in Sir Law
renee, rousing himself by an effort, and
coming, with his usual precision, at once TO
the point, for though he knew that Royal
owed his victory, not TO his wits but 70
most singular turn Of the wheel of fort
une, he comprehended his ability to make
the occasion gain for him the demands
which once were 80 near becoming entreat-
les.
Nothing very exorbitant," was the re-
ply. And considering that it had been the
rule for him TO comply with, not to dictate
the terms OF peace between them, the
scOundrel certainly did the business very
we'll. THE Huntingford game has served
US well 80 far, Sir Lawrence, too well to be
thrown away for the Rats chances, especi-
ally when the two so on so we'll together.
There is only one thing have to complain
of. l share the proceeds, of course, but l
want TO share the show as well My play
dodge is nearly done up here, and I'm sick
of 1t. l can be the gentleman as well as
you. What want is the eRtree to your,
to Sir Lawrence Huntingford's house, an
introduction TO your swell friends, in fact.
we must be hand-in-glove in public as well
as in private. What is sauce for the goose
10 sauce for the gander. Why. once well in
with some of your fine company, we could
pocket fortune in no time"
such thing would ruin all, said Sir
Lawrence, searching about vainly in his
mind for a weapon by which to fight his
Antagonist, but failing hopelessly.
1T is this or nothing" replied Royal
with an air of authority he had never dared
to assume before. why this ingenious job
of yours to-nigOt with the trust money
from that precious society will be the very
thing TO avert all suspicion. Who, but Old
Nick himself, would suspect the Rat of
breaking into his own house, stealing
what is, for the time, his money, and then
to paying it back, even If the trick with
the safe were not so neat that there will be
absolutely no clewl You are clever dog,
Sir Lawrence, though you have made a
slip this time You can save yourself, but
| intend you to-save me-"
''And what il refuse to do thiss" asked
the hunchback, reused by the insolence Of
the man who had hitherto been his tool.
You won't refuse; you daren't."
you're not the man Co use that word to
me-" said Sir Lawrence, his face white with
passion and his eyes glittering with an ex-
keeping with his otherwise venerable ap-
uearance. Il own you have beaten Sir
Lawrence. the hunchback. No one but you
would have tried such an issue. But the
Rat can stand erect to defend himself as
we'll as play DEVILS tricks. When" and he
struggled frantically to be free from the
bonds which held MIN, regardless Of the ter
rible pain which the effort cost him-"when
we stand as man to man."
10 ha-
tween If there are TO be blows they will
fall on her, not On either Of US. A split be-
tween US, and the consequences fall upon
your child"
The villain must have been blind indeed
If he had not seen that in the fathers love
lay his greatest weakueSs-and strength.
The hunchback did not cease his strug-
giles, but finding them worse than useless,
he sprang forward with flash of murder
in his eyes cleaning like knife.
''Nellie-you daren't harm herp he
gasped.
mo need for me to trouble about her
welfare" Royal replied, cody. THE child
Of thief and murderer, his accomplish, is
sure to be well looked after, if the truth
should come out"
"Acoomplicel It's lie" shrieked the
father, fairly beside himself with the fear
which the word called up. " It's q liel It
is FOR that very reason / have kept her
apart from melville it breaks my heart
to do it'll can prove It'll"
And can prove that she is aware Of the
whole circu instances OF the murder, and
Keeps the secret. There is such thing ia
affairs like this as an accessory after the
fact"
This lesser triumph was but the outcome
Of the other, bat it touched Sir Lawrence
far more nearly.
He entirely lost his self control.
"You iend, " he shouted, making one bound
forward, and with the evident intention Of
selling Royal again by the throat. But
even in this be defeated his own purpose,
for IN his blind fury he missed his footing
aud fell to the ground.
A cry Of agony escaped him, for he had
not needed how he fell. The physical pain
must indeed have been excruciating TO have
conquered the mental torture which had
reused his passion.
Course you curse you'll" was all he could
gasp, as he raised himself only to fall back
actually powerless even TO gain his feet
"lf it were only touching myself we'd set
tie this account far differently. To strike
me through my child is more foul a crime
even than the one you have made double by
fastening upon me. My child my child !
have indeed wrecked your whole life?'
And sinking his heud in his hands the un-
happy man became prey to an outburst
of remorse which would have touched any
but that heart which was made harder than
stone by the sense of crime.
Royal for one moment was lost IN won
der to think how a child had subjected this
man, whom not the oleverest detective in
England could tame, the next he was con-
graduating himself upon his good luck.
As it seemed he had to reopen the con-
versation, he asked, drily:
well, Sir Lawrence, are you going to
oblige meln
81 give in" gasped the hunchback, mas
tering his agony by superhuman effort.
''Not for my own sake-I would never do
that-but for my child's. / did mean to
trick you, but If it's best for her I'll live out
my punishment, aye, If it brings pain like
this. What is it to that she suffers because
Of meq She would have shared the Rats
misery. Thank heaven she can share Sir
Lawrence's wealth and give it its only
valuel At least we shall be together"
The thought seemed to call him to him-
self, to give him strength Co act once more.
Not another day, not another hour,
shall we be apart. This very night she
shall sleep in safety beneath her fathers
roof"
Without another word or even a look at
Royal, he dragged himself to his feet and
tottered from the room to make new ar
rangements IN this one plan which at least
had some grain Of comfort.
Left to himself, Royal stood for a mo-
ment lost in thought, none the less danger
Ous to the Ohiecta baCausa Dlaasans tn him