The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1897-06-03

do or threaten can move me a hdii-
breadth farther. without my help your
plot will fail, as you yourself know
well. And when you are in Malcolm $
hands We'll see whether he'll believe you
or me first
The colonel did not betray it by so
much as the trembling of an eyeiid; but
this last stroke of Dicks was a down
right blow, and might, If not parried,
mean the ruin of his whole fabric or m
genious policy. His manner, accord
ingly. became lighter and more indlf-
ferent.
Come. come, my dear Estcourt," he
said, you are taking the matter too
seriously. / don't think you realize what
ii is | am asking of you. | don't, OF
course. expect you 80 take any respOn-
sibility for our plan, or to do anything
which could be censured as a breach Of
duty or the rules of o u service. /
only ask you. in the absence of Cap
tain Worsley. to take of the
S~peedwell for twenty-four hours. and
bring her to anchor off the island here
until tomorrow night. On Sunday
morning We shall be ready 10 sail again.
What We do in the meantime can not
be laid to your c~harge-if, indeed. 1t
were ever discovered-for you know
nothing of our designs. as we would all
bear witness in case OF need
Dick rose, Colonel de Montaut," he
said. in a stern, incisive tone, Il have
borne with you so far. and 1 am
ashamed of my W patience. Every
word you utter is a fresh insult" he ex-
claimed, with a sudden fury in his eyes:
and If you do not leave me instantly,
before God / will avenge myself!' ,
The colonel unlocked the COR without
a word. With great alacrity he slipped
out and locked it again on the other side.
AS he did Sc he heard a light footstep
hastily retreating. He followed imme-
diately, and was in time to see the door
or Camilla's cabin softly closed. He
approached noiselessly, and listened out
side in his turn. She was sobbing, and
II he colonel had not been somewhat
fustered by his late unceremonious dis
missal. so keen an observer would have
noted that her sobs were the quick,
half-laughing utterance Of intense re-
lief. But he was not now concerned
with Camilla's feelings. He had Est
court yet to conquer, and he went off
in search of tombstone to help him in
h struggle.
The colonel explained the position to
him from beginning to end Now" he
said in conclusion, you see the one
thing absolutely necessary. Sc long as
he hopes to clear himself with NAL
colin he will defy us. Once let him COM
NIT himself too far for that. and he is
ours body and soul.V'
aHyN'tnf a 10, r.,,. IL. 4 a 80, --,--I
tombstone. You give it a name. and
l warrant I'll make him do it,
Yes" replied the colonel. II think
it is time that you tried your hand now.
The game of skill is up. and We must
see What force can do for us. I want
him TO write a letter 10 Admiral NAL
colin asking for permission to anchor
the brig off jamestown for twenty-four
hours. He needn't write the whole let
ter even. / can do it for him, provided
he signs it.''He can't draw back after
that"
"That'l do" aid tombstone. I'll see
to 1t. never fear!'
I'll have the letter ready after sup
per. then" said the colonel, as he went
below; and remember that if he re-
fuses to sign when l ask him, / shall
leave him to o at once: but Of course
you will avoid taking any irretrievable
step until the last possible moment"
Il understand" answered tombstone,
with a grin; obstinate as ever he likes,
he shant meet with a fatal accident, not
till the guardboat men set foot on
board; after hat | can't answer for
hat may happen. It's a long fall into
the hold. and some folks are so care
less Of themselves"
The brutality of this Jest displeased
the colonel, who was above all things a
man of taste: but he could not afford
just now to be critical of his tools. so
he let it pass without rebuke, and went
to order supper.
The meal was served to Dick in the
saloon. with tombstone on guard at the
tain's room; Camilla, locked in her
own. refused all persuasion to eat or
drink.
n long time passed, and silence
reigned unbroken between the decks of
the Speedwell.
1t was nearly midnight when Camilla
at last heard her brother-in-law leave
his cabin and call tombstone. The two
men spoke together for a in a
low voice and then entered the saloon.
Dick started up as they came in; he
looked tired and grim: his cheeks were
sunken. and furrowed with lines that
told of anger and determination.
Perhaps" said the colonel, you have
now thought matters over and are pre-
pared to reconsider your decision. do
not wish to be unreasonable, and I am
ready to meet o halfway: all now
ask Is that you should demand permis-
sion 10 anchor from you old friend Sir
Pulteney Malcolm. 1t Is a most natu-
raj request to male, and in fact no more
than is really necessary for the safety
OF the vessel / | such weather as this"
Dick Ike a scornful silence.