The sun., 1896-06-21
RODNEY STONE.
A Renaissance Of the Ring.
by A. CONAN DOYLE.
Copyright. 1895. bp A. Conan Dovia
CHAPTER XIv-coNT1NuED.

uncle's race made me realize that this match
was really serious matter to him. Then ho
shrugged his shoulders with an incredulous
smile.
"All the worse for the fools who give the
Odds" said he. My man 10 all right. You
saw him yesterday, nephew3"
HE was all right yesterday. SIR"
IF anything had gone wrong, should have
heard"
But. perhaps" said War;. ut as not gone
wrong with i'm yet"
What d'you meAn2"
III tell you what I mean, sir. You re-
member Berks2 You Know that no amt to
be much depended upon at any time, and that
he had n grudge against your man cause he
laid i'm ont in the coach house. Well. last
night, about 10 o'clock, in he comes into my
bar. and the three bloodiest rogues In London
at Is 'eels. There was Red Ike. i'm that was
warned off the ring cause o fought q cross
with Bittoon. And there was 1ghtin' Yussef,
who would sell his mother for seven shillin'
bit. The third was Chris Mccarthy. who is
foEle snatcher by trade with pitch outside
the Haymarket Theatre. You don't often
see fou- such beauties together. and all with as
much as they could carry. rave only Chris.
who is too leary a cove 10 drink when there's
eomethin' Roin' forward. For my part showed
them into the parlor, not cos they was worthy
OF It. but COS knew right we'll they would
start bashin' some Of my customers ana may.
he get my license into trouble II left 'em in
tho bar. I served 'em with drink and stayed
with 'em Just to see that they didn't lay their
'ands on the stuffed parroquet and the pic.
tures
We'll, gov nor, TO cut II short. they began
TO talk about the fight, and they all laughed
at the idea that young Jim 'arrison could win
it-all except Chris. and e kept a-nudGn' and
a-twtchin' at the others until Joe Berks near
ly gave him wipe across tho face for his
trouble. / saw eomethin' was in the wind,
and 1t wasn't very ard to guess what 1t was
especially when Red Ike was ready TO put
up iver that Jim 'arrson would never fight
at all. So up TO get another bottle Of liptrap
and | slipped around to the shutter that we
pass the liquor through from the private bar
into the parlor. l drew II an inch open, and
l might ave been at the table with them.
could ear everyword that clearly.
There Chris Mccarthy growlin' at
them for not keepin' their tongues still. and
there was joe Berks swearin that 'c would
knock is face In II e dared give I'm any OF rs
lip. So Chris e sort OF argued with 'em. for
q was frightened OF Berks, and . out II 10
them whether they would be fit for the job In
the mornin'. and whether the gov'nor would
pay the money II e found they 'ad been drink
in, and were not 10 be trusted. This struck
them sober, all three. and ightin' Yussef
asked what time they were to start. Chris said
that as long AS they were Mt Crawley before
the George shut up. they could work It. IT'S
poor pay for a chance OF a rope said Red Ike.
Rope be ID criedChris, takin' a little loaded
stick out of Is side pocket. II three OF you old i'm
down and break rs arm bone with this, we've
earned our money, AMI we don't risk more'n
six months skily and crank He'll fight
said Bcrks. Well. It's the only fight 'e'll
get said Chris. AMI that was all I cara OF II.
This mornin' out went, and found. rs told
you, that the money is goin onto Wilson by the
ton. and that odds too long for the.lay-
ers. SO IL stands. gov'ner. and you know
what the meanin OF it may be better than Bill
War; can tell you
Very good. War;" said,my uncle, rising.
II am very much obliged to you for telling me
this. and will see that you not loser by
It. put /. down as the gossip of drunken ruff
fans. but none the less you have served me vast
ly by calling my attention to 1t. l suppose
shal, you at the Downs tomorrow"
Mr.. Jackson as askei EN- to be one o. the
beaters.out, SIR"
Very good. hope that we shall have a
fair and good fight. Good day to you. and
thank you
Ny uncle had preserved his iaunty demeanor
rs long as War; was in the room, but tho door
had hardly closed upon him before he turned
to mo with a face which was more agitated
than had ever seen Il.
I'VE must be off for Crawlcy at once ncph-
ew." said he. ringing the bell. There's not
u moment 20 be lost. Lorlmcr, order the bays
TO he harncssed in the crrriclc. Put the toilet
things IN. and tell William to have 1t round at
the door as soon possible"
"1ll see to II. sir" said l. and away ran to
the news in Little Ryder street. where my
uncle stabbed his horses. The groom was away
and had Ia send a lad in search of him, while
with the help OF the liveryman dragged the
currcle from the coach house and brought tho
two mares out Of their stalls. 1t was half an
hour possibly three-quarters before every.
thing had been found, and Lorimer was al
ready waiting in Jcrmyr street with the inev-
liable baskets, while my uncle stood In the
open door OF his house clad in his long fawn-
colored driving coat with no sign upon his
calm face OF the tunult of Impotence which
must, was sure, be raging within.
I'VE shall leave You, I.orimer," said he.
I'VE might find II hard to get n bed for you.
Keep at her head, william! Jump in. nephew.
Hulln, War;; what is the matter now"
The prize fighter WAS hastening toward .us
as fast as his bulk would allow.
Just one word before you 20. Sir Charles"
he painted. i've Just card In my tap room
that the four men spoke OF left for Crawley
at o'clock"
Very good War;" said my uncle, with his
foot upon the step.
And the odds have risen 20 ten to one"
let go her head, William"
Just one more word, gov'nor. You'll excuse
tho liberty. but II was you I'd tako my pistols
with mo-"
THANK you. have them" The long thong
cracked between tho ears Of the leader the
groom sprang for tho pavement, and Jcrmyn
street had changed for st. James's and that
again for Whitehall. with n swiftness which
sho we'd that tho gallant mares were as impa.
tent rs their master. II was 80 by the Par
lament clock flew onto Westminster
bridge. There was the flash of water beneath
us, and then were bet yeen those two long
dun-colored lines OF houses, which had been
the avenu" which had led up - London. Ny
uncle sat with tightened lips and broodng
brow. We had reached Streatham before he
broke the silence.
II have a good deal at stake. nephew" said
no suddenly.
so have !. SIR" ! answered.
You" he cried, In surprise.
MY friend, sir"